NFF1706 by News From France

Vol. 17.05 - May 2017 NEWS FROM FRANCE IS ALSO AVAILABLE ONLINE

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©Armée de l’air/défense / O. Ravenel

Summer in France

Tourists in France visit the Château de Chambord, one of the stunning CHATEAUX OF THE LOIRE VALLEY, which can be explored by bicycle

A message from Ambassador Gérard Araud

2 Current Events

Post-election French Series Cannes festival

3 Interview

Ambassador Craig Stapleton

4 In Depth

Summertime in France

6 Science & Technology Organic Agriculture Airbus in Alabama

7 Culture & Society

Bastille Day at the Embassy Cultural events

8 Destination of the Month Lyon

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Emmanuelle Lachaussée EDITORS Benoît Cormier MANAGING EDITOR, GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kamilla Hassen STAFF WRITERS Nikos Biggs-Chiropolos, Lucy Hurlbut, Nicole Kempis, Luca Didomenico, , Nisha Srinivasa

Dear Friends, Last month, French voters went to the polls to elect our new president, Emmanuel Macron. President Macron, the youngest leader to date of the Fifth Republic, brought a message of hope and unity to the country that resounded with voters, as evidenced by his wide margin of victory. Regardless of leadership changes, ties between France and the United States continue to endure, as these two nations share common goals and longstanding cultural and economic ties. Just a few hours after the election, President Trump sent a congratulatory tweet to Mr. Macron and the two leaders have begun working together to maintain our transatlantic alliance, including meeting in person on May 25. Our nations continue to commemorate the centennial of the United States’ entry into World War I, when over two million American soldiers crossed the Atlantic to fight alongside their allies in France. In May, the Embassy screened two films to commemorate this alliance, Adama and Joyeux Noël. The latter tells one of my favorite stories of the Great War, of Christmas Day 1914, when soldiers from opposing forces shared

a moment of humanity in the midst of war to celebrate. With both the French and American elections now behind us, I welcome the arrival of summer, which is traditionally the season to unwind and enjoy life a bit more than usual. The arrival of June and the start of summer bring several important cultural events, such as the end of the French Open in Paris, and the Fête de la Musique on June 21, when cities around France and in 80 countries around the world, including the United States, hold free music performances all day and into the night. New York City will also host a “Films on the Green” festival, featuring free outdoor screenings of French films in several parks across the city in June and July. Along with these events, which attest to our close historic and cultural ties, France hopes that our two countries will continue to work together to respond to the challenges of climate change, and continue to seek innovative solutions to keep its promises made under landmark 2015 Paris Agreement to our own citizens and the rest of the world.

Cannes film festival WITH MORE THAN 1,500 FILMS from over 100 different countries, the Cannes Film Festival attracts a wide international audience. It is one of the world’s most important film festivals inviting over 30,000 journalists, celebrities, and cultural figures. This year, the festival, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary, took place from May 17 to 28. 49 films from 29 countries were selected to compete for prizes awarded by a nine-person jury, led by Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodovar. Also serving on the jury were French actress and film director Agnès Jaoui, French-Lebanese composer Gabriel Yared, American actress and film producer Jessica Chastain, and American actor and singer-songwriter Will Smith. By far the most prestigious award given at the festival is the Palme d’Or. A total of 19 films were selected to compete, including four from French directors: François Ozon’s The Double Lover; Michel Hazanavicius’s Redoubtable; Jacques Doillon’s Rodin; and Robin Campillo’s 120 Beats Per Minute. Though Swedish film The Square ultimately took home the Palme d’Or, Campillo’s AIDS drama 120 Beats Per Minute won the Grand Prix, the second most important prize of the festival. Another notable award was the Best Director, which went to Sofia Coppola for her film The Beguiled. She is the first female director to win the prize in 56 years. Other major prizes awarded included Un Certain Regard (different and original works) judged by French-speaking American actress Uma Thurman which went to Iranian film A Man of Integrity by Mohammad Rasoulof, and Caméra d’Or (best first feature film) judged French actress Sandrine Kiberlain, which went to French director Leonor Seraille’s debut feature Jeune Femme. Americans did well in acting categories, with German-American actress Diane Kruger taking home Best Actress, and Joaquin Phoenix winning Best Actor. Left: German-American actress Diane Kruger, winner of the Best Actress Award. Right: the 120 Beats Per Minute actors and director Robin Campillo arrive on the Cannes red carpet for the film’s premiere.

Post-election French Series

©French Embassy

THIS MAY, FRANCE ELECTED its new president, Emmanuel Macron. Macron won 24% of the vote in the election’s first round on April 23 before defeating second-placed Marine Le Pen in the second round on May 7 with 66% of votes in his favor. For both rounds, many French citizens living in the United States voted in person, at polling stations set up by consulates around the country. Though

Sunday is the typical voting day in France, French voters in the United States cast their ballots on Saturday. Since time zones in the eastern U.S. are six hours later than France, opening polling locations the day before France allowed citizens to vote before polls closed and the results were announced at home. Approximately 51,991 French citizens came out to vote across the country. On May 11, the Embassy hosted a French Series event to discuss the impact of the results of the recent election. The panel discussed how President Macron’s leadership will influence politics around the world, and more specifically the future of the relationship between France and the United States. The panelists represented a range of political views, which allowed for differences of opinion regarding why Mr. Macron was elected. However, all agreed that he has prioritized a strong connection to the European Union and that terrorism is one of the most pressing issues he will have to deal with. They warned that Macron supporters should not celebrate his victory too much, as many challenges could lie ahead. They also expressed the importance of a good relationship between France and the U.S. Our two countries have a mutual interest in maintaining their deep bonds of friendship for economic and cultural reasons, but especially as two of the world’s leaders in fighting terrorism.

Interview: Ambassador Craig Stapleton Craig Stapleton served as the United States Ambassador to France from 2005 to 2009, under President George W. Bush. This was his second ambassadorial post, after serving as the U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic from 2001-2003. He was named Commandeur de la légion d’honneur in 2009. He continues to visit France frequently. He also serves on the board of the American University of Paris. He also sponsors a diplomacy project at Harvard University, his alma mater. His wife, Dorothy (Debbie) Walker Stapleton, wrote a French cookbook of recipes inspired by diplomatic dinners they hosted at the ambassador’s residence in Paris.

What were some of the most important issues you were dealing with during your period as ambassador? Terrorism was the big issue. It was still the aftermath of 9/11 and the war in Afghanistan, which had French involvement. Chirac’s opposition to the war in Iraq was a hurdle, but the French were strong partners in NATO, and we’re certainly strong partners on terrorism.

What are some differences between the French and American approaches to diplomacy? I don’t think there are a lot of differences. Diplomacy attracts among the most qualified people of any generation. That’s true in the United States and that’s particularly true in Europe. The French diplomatic corps is fantastic — it attracts the smartest kids with the most “oomph,” who have a facility with languages and an interest in other cultures. It’s very much a meritocracy, where the best talent gets to the top, for the most part. However, in Europe, diplomacy is totally a profession rather than a vocation. American politically appointed ambassadors must work very hard, because they’re going to be competing and dealing with people who have done the job for 30 years. When you’re dealing with people who have been professional diplomats for thirty years, you’d better be deferential, and you need to work hard to be effective.

20%

of French budget is earmarked for education and research.

How would you describe the relationship between France and the United States? French-American affiliations are not just sentimental; they are actively thriving in France. In Paris, there’s an American Library, an American Hospital, an American Cathedral, an American University. So there are huge ties that go way back to our revolution, but continue especially this year in the hundredth anniversary of the United States entry into World War I. These ties are really historical and on-going. Do you have any predictions about the future of the relationship? The ties will remain strong, though they may go through thick and thin. But we’ve endured two world wars in the twentieth century, so we know our ties need to stay strong throughout the tide of major world events. One thing that strikes me, which most people don’t know, is that the United States sent two million soldiers to France during World War I. I often ask people to guess how many soldiers we sent to France during World War I, and nobody gets even close to two million. They typically guess about 50,000 or 100,000, unless they’re an historian.

2 billion

number of new connected devices expected to be sold in France in next 5 years

En chiffres...

66.1%

What was your relationship to France and to the French language before becoming ambassador? I had visited France extensively before becoming ambassador, having been an exchange student there. I also spent a few summers living in France and tutoring some American children. I had done a fair amount of business in Paris too, so I would say I knew France quite well. I worked hard on my French and passed the foreign service exam in French before going. I tried to conduct all of my diplomatic meetings in French, though I knew how far from perfect my French was. In my first meeting with President Chirac, he spoke to me in French. There was a translator there, but I said, “Mr. President, I understand what you’re saying. Keep going.” The French were very good with me; they would say, “Ambassador Stapleton speaks great French.” And I don’t speak great French, but I speak it well enough that they were willing to indulge me.

What was your approach to the ambassador position? I spent a lot of time traveling around the country, I tried to meet people who were in the government or in the National Assembly. In France, the government ministers and members of Parliament also have local ties, and a lot of them are mayors or they have their local political bases, so a lot of those people were too busy to spend more than a short conference with me in Paris. But, if I went to their cities — particularly if they were mayors or lived with their families outside of Paris, I got to know them better. I knew the mayors of Lyon, Marseille, Deauville, Bordeaux, and many other places. I got the chance to know France better than I would have by staying in Paris. I had a deliberate strategy to get to know the rest of the country, which you can never know well enough. The more you know the country, the more you realize how much there is to do.

Macron’s percentage of the vote the second round of the French election. 3

Summer in France

“PROFITEZ!” IS A REFRAIN YOU WILL HEAR around France. Les Français love to profite, or enjoy summer weather by being outside. With long days and warm weather, summer is filled with cultural and leisure activities that offer something for everyone.

towns include Vichy, Évian (source of the water brand), Annecy & Aix-LesBains (both on the banks of beautiful mountain lakes), and many more. These towns are somewhat off the beaten path for tourists, but provide spectacular scenery and plenty of leisure activities.

Sports in the summer Last summer was one of the most important for French sports, as the nation welcomed soccer’s best players for the very successful Union of European Football Association’s European Championship in cities around the country. However, several other annual events make every summer a great time for sports fans. The season kicked off at the end of May, when Paris held the annual French Open tennis championships, also called Roland Garros, after the French WWI aviator for whom the tournament’s grounds are named. Roland Garros not only attracts the world’s top tennis stars, it also tends to draw celebrities and high-profile Parisians, making it a popular place to see and be seen. In July comes another of France’s most important events: the Tour de France. This year the bicycle race kicks off in Düsseldorf, Germany as the event seeks to expand its international appeal, but the majority of the race will take place in France. Contestants will cross the countryside, the Alps, and the Pyrénées before finishing at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Cities Almost every major city has outdoor farmer’s markets on a near daily basis, and what better time to enjoy fresh produce and local food vendors? French restaurants are known for their terraces, where diners can sit outside, often next to guests of neighboring restaurants, or in town squares. During the long days of summer, where the sun does not set until almost 10 p.m., diners can take their time over long, indulgent meals. France has two “soldes” or sales seasons per year — in winter and summer. The summer sales typically run during June and July, so summer travelers can take advantage of the lower prices and enjoy the shopping experience. ©J. Bosse-Platière If you don’t make it to the beach, two of France’s largest cities, Paris and Lyon, both sit on the banks of large rivers and have made recent efforts to maximize enjoyment of the riverside during the summer. Every summer, Paris runs the “Paris-Plage” (Paris beach) initiative, where residents can sunbathe on artificial beaches along the Seine. Lyon is at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers, and both have wide walkways and a series of restaurant-bar barges that provide pleasant scenery and a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Beaches, baths, and boats France’s Côte d’Azur is known around the world as a beach destination. With its casinos, the Cannes Film Festival, and yacht shows, the Côte d’Azur is often seen as a vacation spot for the rich and famous, but that shouldn’t scare away budget-conscious tourists. The pristine beauty of the Mediterranean Coast can be enjoyed by all along the Côte d’Azur, and there are activities and lodging options to suit all budgets. The Atlantic Coast also offers beaches; Biarritz, its largest city, is a popular spot for surfers. France also has many spa towns, where mineral water or natural hot spring baths have historically drawn city-dwellers looking to unwind. These

Arts & culture Summer is also one of the best times of year for France’s renowned arts and culture scene. Most towns along the Côte d’Azur hold garden festivals during the summer months. The Bordeaux Wine Festival is held every June, while vineyards around the country are popular destinations during long summer days. Paris holds the Quartier d’été arts festival in July and August, where each arrondissement hosts its own unique theater and arts shows; the city also

©B, Eyquem

holds an open air cinema festival throughout the summer at the Parc de la Villette in the evenings as dusk falls, which is free and open to the public. Several renowned music festivals draw visitors from across Europe and beyond. For classical music lovers, the Festival de Saint-Denis on June 2930 is one of the best in the world. For a wider array of music, the Fête de la Musique on June 21 is an all-day music celebration held in almost every city around the country. Other notable festivals include Jazz à Vienne (near Lyon), Les Eurockéennes in Belfort (near the Swiss border), Les Vielles Charrues (France’s largest festival, held in Brittany) the first ever Lollapalooza Paris on July 22-23, and Rock en Seine on August 27-29.

Above: The beach at Excénevex on the French side of Lake Geneva (known as Lac Léman) in southeastern France, near the French-Swiss border; Left: the Alps as seen during a sunny summertime hike; Below: the Eiffel Tower lit up with fireworks and a light display for Bastille Day celebrations.

Outdoor activities France’s spectacular natural attractions include some of the best hiking and camping options in the world. The scenery in the Alps is beyond compare. The most ambitious climbers can attempt Mont-Blanc, while more recreational visitors can enjoy a multitude of day hikes and mountain villages. The Chemins de Compostelle form a vast network of roads and trails across the country connecting to Spain’s famed Santiago de Compostela trail. The GR 20 trail in Corsica is often named as the top hiking trail in all of Europe and is approximately 112 miles long. Camping options across the country range from backpacker-friendly mountain peaks to easily accessible car-friendly sites. The latter include the Country Camping site in the Pyrenees (about 30 miles south of Toulouse), the eco-friendly La Jaurie in Limousin, and Huttopia La Plage Blanche in the Jura Mountains of Bourgogne along the Loue River, where visitors can rent canoes, kayaks, or bikes. Bastille Day One of the biggest holidays of the year is France’s national day of celebration, which commemorates the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789. In the English-speaking world, the holiday is known as “Bastille Day” while in France it is usually called the fête nationale or le 14 juillet. Bastille Day, which falls on a Friday this summer, is a national holiday. Towns light up their skies with fireworks to celebrate the occasion, and Paris holds its largest annual military parade on the Champs Elysées in front of the President’s palace. Many firehouses host their own bal des pompiers or firemen’s ball on the eve of the holiday or the night of the 14th, welcoming guests to dance and have a drink with the firemen. As one of France’s biggest holidays, Bastille Day is a celebration not to be missed.

Organic agriculture in France

French consumers are increasingly choosing to buy organic. FRANCE IS KNOWN AROUND THE WORLD for valuing quality cuisine, and a rapid growth in the nation’s organic agriculture industry indicates that French consumers are increasingly turning towards organic in their own food choices. The organic agriculture industry saw a dramatic boom in 2016, surpassing $7.8 billion by the end of the year, up more than a billion from 2015. Surveys conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture across France found that nine out of

10 respondents consume organic food on occasion, while 65% say they eat it regularly. These figures represent a massive increase from 2003, when only one third of the French population said they eat organic food regularly and 46% had never even tried it. The organic industry is responding to this increase in demand with rapid growth. Approximately 6% of French agricultural production was devoted to organic food by the end of 2016, up from 4.6% in 2015 (as compared to only 1% in the United States). France ranks ninth in the world with this percentage. The industry has also increased by more than 1,250% since 1995 and more than 150% since 2005. This rise in organic food is due to a combination of changing consumer preference and campaigns to raise public awareness of the benefits of healthy eating. The National Federation of Organic Agriculture has run a program called “Eating organic and local; it’s ideal” with hundreds of events across France to promote the program. Even so, the industry’s growth in 2016 exceeded expectations. Additionally, the government has encouraged the meat industry to adapt to the market preference for organic items as a way to boost profits. France imported 80% of the organic pork it consumed in 2016, so encouraging farmers to improve the quality of their products will help them meet this consumer preference. Organic food consumption is a positive step for France as a country, because avoiding pesticides improves water quality around farms, better maintains the health of the soil, and improves the health of animals, resulting in better quality food and healthier consumers. The increased consciousness of healthy agriculture also reflects France’s efforts as a world leader to combat climate change and honor the landmark Paris Agreement on climate change.

Airbus manufacturing plant in Mobile, Alabama

forts and inspire young people to pursue careers in aerospace. The Alabama Aviation Education Center will be located near the Airbus site, and the company will play a central role in developing the facility (including directing $1.5 million towards its construction). This factory will now be one of the premier aircraft production facilities in the United States.

An Airbus A320 at the Alabama plant.

FRENCH AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURER AIRBUS has announced new investments and hired new employees this year in their Mobile, Alabama facility as production began in May on the first US-made A320 aircraft. Mobile is the company’s fourth manufacturing facility, after its headquarters in Toulouse, France, and international facilities in Hamburg, Germany and Tianjin, China. The factory hosted a delegation from the French-American Chamber of Commerce in April, including the Consul General of France in Atlanta. The facility was selected after several years of negotiations because it provides Airbus a foothold in the American market, where the company seeks to continue to grow as a supplier for US-based airlines. Additionally, Mobile, and its airport provide easy access to the town’s port, which facilitates the delivery of large aircraft parts from Airbus’s European headquarters. The plant will supply planes to many American clients, including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, JetBlue, Frontier Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. The plant has already produced a number of A321 aircraft and its goal is to deliver four completed aircraft per month by the end of this year. Mobile residents believe the facility has several benefits for the local economy. The state of Alabama has predicted that the plant will provide up to 3,700 indirect jobs as it continues to grow. Troy Wayman, Vice President of the Mobile Chamber of Commerce, attributes a boom in the town’s restaurant and housing markets to the factory, and adds that it has helped attract new residents to Mobile from other areas. Airbus has also partnered with the state to construct the Alabama Aviation Education Center, which was announced in early May with a $6.5 million budget. The facility seeks to bolster Alabama’s workplace development ef-

Bastille Day at the Embassy of France BACK IN 1994, MEMBERS of Washington D.C.’s Association des anciens combattants (French veteran’s association) decided to celebrate French-American friendship for the 50th anniversary of D-Day. So they got together, made a bunch of sandwiches, and hosted a Bastille Day party. On July 15, the D.C.-area non-profit Comité tricolore, or the Tricolore Committee, an umbrella organization that unites D.C.-area French and French-speaking- American groups, will carry on what has become an annual tradition. More than 600 guests will dance, celebrate and, of course, eat at their “New Orleans fun and food”-themed Bastille Day party. After the first gathering back in 1994, it was decided that profits should go toward helping members of the community in need. Now, the Tricolore Committee’s main purpose is to assist the French and French-speaking community. The annual party is their main fundraiser, which in most recent years has raised $80,000, with proceeds going towards helping those community members. Expats can be particularly vulnerable without networks of family and friends to turn to. This is where the French consulate and the Tricolore Committee step in. “The Tricolore Committee and the consulate general work hand in hand to aid our compatriots who may find themselves in difficulty,” says Consul General of France in Washington, Michel Charbonnier. Those who aren’t eligible for direct aid from the French government are referred to the Tricolore Committee. Because of their non-profit status, they can

aid a wider community than the consulate. Through a partnership with local French-speaking churches, this aid extends not just to French-nationals, but also to members of the French-speaking American community. Their additional ability to provide emergency assistance with less red tape, has helped a homeless French minor, an immigrant from French-speaking Africa pursuing a degree, and a young woman diagnosed with cancer who didn’t have health insurance. Some are

This summer, travel to France with French Cinema After Miami’s Films on the Beach in May, city parks across New York City and Chicago will host the crème de la crème of French Cinema from June to September. All screenings are free and open to the public. In New York, Films on the Green, which opens June 2, will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a lineup of 10 classic and contemporary French films selected by guest curators: Wes Anderson, Jim Jarmusch, James Ivory, Saul Williams, Isabella Rossellini, Wanda Sykes, Laurie Anderson, Matthew Weiner, Matías Piñeiro and Amy Hargreaves! In addition, for the first time this year, Films on the Green NYC will offer special screening of Michel Gondry’s The Science of the Sleep in French and English with Spanish subtitles. In Chicago, Films on the Lake will include an eclectic array of films for all ages. The festival will kick off on June 14th, at Winnemac Park with the animated film A Cat in Paris. Come one, come all! visit: http://frenchculture.org/film-tv-and-new-media/festivals/films-green-2017 for a full program of the festival and details on the curators’ selections

given a monthly allowance, for others temporary financial support is given. Each year, local chefs from such D.C institutions as Patisserie Poupon and Central Michel Richard, as well as the Embassy’s own Café Descartes, donate food and time to the Bastille Day party. This year’s event is sure to be delicious, lively, and inspiring. More than 20 guest chefs in the area will create an array of delectable treats inspired by the cuisine of Louisiana. World renowned jazz musician Don Vappie and his Creole Jazz Quintet will give guests another taste of Louisiana’s rich, vibrant culture. Those attending can enjoy an open bar, bid in an online auction before the event for prizes such as trips to France and New Orleans, and enjoy an eventonly auction for the chance to take home cases of wine and other donated goodies. Regardless of what they take home, all leave the event knowing that they have helped members of their community in need. Be sure to attend this year’s New Orleans themed Bastille Day Celebration put on by the Tricolore committee at La Maison Française to experience a glimpse of Louisiana, a fun evening, and contribute to a wonderful cause. Links: Find out more about the Tricolore Comittee Buy your Bastille Day tickets Check out the charity auction

A Bit of Summer Reading

As the heat sets in, it’s time to get into some summer reading! Fortunately, Albertine, the bookstore at the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in New York, has just announced the winner of its new Albertine Prize: “Bardo or Not Bardo,” by Antoine Volodine. One of his funniest books, it was selected by popular choice over a weekslong voting period. On June 6, an award ceremony and party featuring the Albertine Prize co-chairs, author Lydia Davis, and journalist and literary critic François Busnel was held at the store. http://www.albertine.com/albertine-prizewinner-announced/

Lyon

DESPITE BEING FRANCE’S THIRD-LARGEST CITY, Lyon has less name recognition than other popular tourist destinations. However, as the nation’s gastronomic capital and a thriving metropolitan community, Lyon is well worth the visit. The city has a long and fascinating history: from ruins that date back to the Roman Empire to its role as a French Resistance hub during World War II. The city is located at the fork of two large rivers: the Rhône and the Saône, which divide the city into three parts. The presqu’ile (peninsula) is the center of town, where one can find the Hôtel de Ville, Lyon Opera, and Rue de la République — the main shopping street. Across the Rhône are several universities, the Part-Dieu business district, and the Parc de la Tête d’Or — one of the largest urban parks in France. West of the Saône lie the historic Vieux Lyon, ruins of an ancient Roman amphitheater,

and the Colline de Fourvière hill, which provides breathtaking views of the city. Lyon is most famous for its gastronomic history. In the 18th century, the “Mères Lyonnaises” — a group of female chefs — established the city’s reputation for gourmet food. More recently, the renowned chef Paul Bocuse established his cooking school and several restaurants there, which have continued to train well-known chefs in Michelin-level cuisine. Lyon also famously hosts the Festival of Lights every December, when residents place candles in their windows. It draws three to four million visitors each year. Some other notable sites include the Cathédrale de Fourvière, a stunning medieval-inspired cathedral that overlooks the city and provides stunning views; La Musée des Confluences, an art museum at the confluence of the rivers; and a series of restaurant-bar barges along the Rhône River, which provide outdoor seating and a pleasant waterside setting.

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