Today, July 14, we celebrate Bastille Day. This day commemorates the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, a significant event in the French Revolution. To get us in the spirit of all things French, I present to you this trivia challenge and some pictures of me around Paris!
Notre Dame (before the fire)
Questions
1. What was the capital of France in Roman times?2. What is the motto of France?3. Who is a popular symbol of France, after the French Revolution?4. What is the term of office of the French president?5. How do French citizens vote for the president?6. France ranks where in term of geographic size and economic power in western Europe?7. What is the oldest city in France?8. What is the origin of the word France?9. Who was the first French monarch?10. What river flows through Paris?11. What is the highest mountain in France?12. What two popular foods are generally thought to be of French origin, but are not?Luxembourg PalaceArc de TriompheThe Louvre is the most visited museum in the world.
Answers
1. Lyon2. Liberté, égalité, fraternité, which translates to liberty, equality, fraternity3. Marianne. She represents opposition to the monarchy as well as the qualities mentioned in the previous question on the motto of France.More information/image source: Wikipedia4. Five years.5. Pieces of paper are provided, one with the name of each candidate, and an envelope. In a private booth, the voter puts in the envelope the paper with the candidate of his choice and discard the rest. A way to protest all choices is to put a blank piece of paper in the envelope.6. First in size and second in economy (behind Germany).7. Marseille, which was founded in 600 BC as a colony of the Greek Empire.8. It comes from the Franks, a Germanic tribe which conquered the Gauls.9. Clovis I.10. The Seine.11. Mont Blanc.12. The croissant (from Austria) and French fries (from Belguim)Main source: Snippets of ParisLes InvalidesI highly recommend the Moulin Rouge (red windmill) show.I like French cemeteries. By comparison, we have no sense of humor in the US.
In closing, I hope you enjoyed and learned something from my French trivia. Until next week, Vive la France!
