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Yamakasi or Le Parkour in French is a mixture of cool extreme sports, acrobatics and martial arts. It is a group who overcomes obstacles in their environment in a fluid and speedy technique.

They create movements that will be able to get pass through railings or walls, they jump from building to building. These men are trained to aesthetically hurdle man-made or natural obstacles in its surroundings. This discipline is only legal in France and is slowly getting attention from people especially when they released a documentary about their training and beautiful stunts.

Geographically, Champs Elysees is just a street until development came into the picture and establishments were added to the scene. Considered a famous street in the world, Champs Elysees boasts majestic scenery. This avenue has been a great place for walking, jogging, and biking.

In fact, the famous Tour de France ends in this strip. Champs Elysees symbolizes the elegance and Glory of France. Through the years, Champs Elysees has improved from a mere hiking site to a frequent visitor lounge.

The 2006 World Cup is about to unfold and the French Team is raring to go. After a dismal finish in the 2002 edition, France is ready to take the competition. With Germany on their sites, the French Team is expected to field its best players. Led by Zinadine Zidane and Thiery Henry, the dreaded French attack will certainly be noticed.

After winning the World Cup in their home soil, it appears that the team is in disarray. The French team is ready to cast the doubts and to prove that they are the team to beat. Lifting the trophy will definitely be the utmost goal.

Are you interested to know if you really are French. If yes, then there are some basic information that can help you find out the answer. The first basic one is your familiarity with names such as Jean-Pierre Foucauld, Jean-Luc Delarue, Patrick Sabatier, as well as Jacques Martin. These are the famous people who have contributed a lot to the country of France.

Due to the fact the French people love food, they think that McDonald’s and canned goods are cheap. You also value the open air-market where you can buy fresh foods, vegetables, and a lot more.

Scallops and avocado? What a delightful treat dont you think? This is a different but delicious entree that is totally French. What you need are 2 ripe avocados, 8 kernels of scallops, 1 lemon, 2 Tbspoons olive oil, fresh dill , pink peppercorns (if youw ant) and of course, some salt.

First, cut the scallops into thickwise slices and place them in a big plate, squeeze a little lemon on it. Then peel and cut the avocadoes in roun slices, squeeze some lemon on it too. Place the kernels on the plate and spread a few drops of olive oil and some rock or sea salt. Garnish with fresh dill and peppercorns.

Remember, in this dish, it's a matter of presentation, so try your best to make it look pretty and palatable.

If young men and women want to become actors, they go to Hollywood. If they want to become fashion designers, they go to Paris.

Paris, France has schools that offer the best fashion studies. Since the French are trendy and savvy, Paris is the best place to get the skills needed to lead the fashion world. Teachers (or masters) train lucky apprentices how to choose fabric and color, how to cut, even how to sew. Schools teach students to design clothes. What better place to study fashion than in Paris, anyway?

The French people are known to be great cooks. As such, it is quite interesting to know what is inside every French chef's kitchen cupboard. One ingredient that is very common in their kitchen is the olive oil, known to be perfumed oil. They use this for salads, fish dishes, and vegetable dishes.

Other popular ingredients of are the different kinds of vinegar such as red wine, reims, etc. A French kitchen would never survive without onions, nutmeg, garlic, hot mustard, sugar, and flour. These are just some of the chef's cooking ingredients they use most of the time.

All my life, I have believed the term "French Fries" originated from France. Well, some reading and realizations have proven that I was wrong. Contrary to popular belief, French Fries originated in the US of America and popularized by the giant foodchain McDonalds.

Actually, it was a French soldier imprisoned in Germany who revealed that potatoes are edible. Since then potatoes became a staple France food. When the when the Americans learned how the potatoes were cooked by the French, they named the fried potatoes French Fries.

A renowned surgeon in the Paris, France has given a woman a second chance in life. The 38-year old woman, who was mauled in the face by her pet Labrador last year, were having difficulty eating and talking. This prompted Dr. Bernard Devauchelle and his team to perform a surgery on her.

He transplanted a new nose, mouth and chin to the unnamed woman. Divorced, and has two sons, she is now able to live normally and is currently practicing to move her face again for expressions.

This is the event that etched Lance Armstrong's name into world sporting history. The Tour de France is possibly the biggest long-distance road bicycle racing competition in the world. The event always draws a large number of participants around the world and even tourists eager to experience France and its culture.

The race route includes every possible historic town and city in France and in some rare instances include adjacent countries. No matter where the cyclists and the tourists go, all roads lead to the finish line in Paris' famed Champs Elysees.

Toulouse is a city in the south of France. It was once the capital of the province Languedoc. After the French Revolution, provinces were abolished. Toulouse became then the capital of France's largest region. There are more than 400,000 inhabitants in Toulouse. They missed the Industrial Revolution which made their economy undeveloped for quite a while.

The 20th century gave Toulouse a big break when aerospace research and important military structures moved there. Missing the Industrial Revolution became a positive episode in the Toulouse environment. They were able to preserve their natural environment and use it to attract tourists and vacationers, aside from their famous museums and religous buildings.

For filmmakers, being part of international film festivals is a determinant of success. The intense competition in the global movie scene is more than a challenge. Among the film festivals, the Cannes Film Festival has the distinction of being elite.

Aside from the lofty billing, Cannes Film Festival is riddled with tradition. Films all over the world gather in this annual event to showcase excellence in movie making. Awards, which include the Palme d'Or, are provided to the best movie. Likewise performances by the characters of the movie are highly recognized.

Marie Antoinette was born in Austria to the Emperor and Empress of the Holy Roman Empire and was married to France's Louis XVI. The couple became crown King and Queen of France in 1774. Marie Antoinette is infamous for her extravagance. But these excesses were not proven. It has been said that her royal counterparts were jealous of her power and beauty that they spread these rumors about her, hoping to incite hate from the masses.

Marie Antoinette's reign was full of political and social instability. The royal family was forced to move in a palace inside Paris . They were 'palace-prisoned'. She sought the help of her brother, the Emperor of Austria. The royal family tried to escape but failed.

When Prussia and Austria declared war against France , the people accused Marie Antoinette of being a spy. The royal family, including King Louis XVI, was accused of treason. The King was found guilty and was guillotined. Months after, Marie Antoinette was also guillotined. There were no real evidence found to prove the accusations.

France is a country that has a long, rich, and colorful history. One proof of this is the numerous castles that can be found in its territory, and one of these is the Sully castle. This landmark was already built even during the time of Joan of Arc. As such, it has experienced a lot of wars, disputes, and a lot more.

Until the present time, the chateau still stands proud on the banks of Loire in France. From a distance, you can already see its pointed towers, drawbridge, and even machicolations.

It's Sea Fricassee on thinly shredded vegetable in English. This dish will take some time but is well worth it! Taste a little bit of French elegant cuisine. Cut the fish fillets into strips and cut the scallops into two, thickwise. Brown the salted and peppered fish and scallops on melted butter and olive oil for five minutes.

Prepare the shallots, carrots and leak making them into not too thin strips. Brown the shallots, add and cook the vegetables. Pour some wine and let simmer with a lid for 15 minutes. Add cream and mix it carefully with a wooden spoon. Let simmer while turning the fish time to time. Place the fish and scallops on the pan, making sure not to mix it and let simmer for another 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste. Then serve. Now you've got something quite extraordinary!

Every 14th of July, France celebrates Bastille Day. France calls this celebration as 'Fête Nationale'. It remembers the day when Bastille was attacked and it started the end of the French Revolution. It symbolizes the birth of the new French nation. It also commemorates the reunion of the French constitutional monarchy.

People from different French cities would light fireworks to celebrate this holiday. Dancing parties are traditionally sponsored by firefighters. Try to visit France and feast your eyes on the extravagant military showcase of France on the Bastille Day and experience how the French celebrate.

Traditionally, French are friendly people. France is home to diverse nationalities, but with one distinct culture.

The people of France communicate well with people from other countries. On the other hand, French are unwilling to speak using telephone. It is advised to foreigners that phone calls have to be made not earlier than 9 o'clock in the morning.

French are customarily disturbed by the idea that they have to answer phone calls when they have to take their rest. Still, such custom doest not affect the reality that French are one of the finest people in the world.

Okay, so I'm obsessed about French kissing. What? You're not?

French kissing is also known as tongue kiss because it involves the tongue of your partner touching your lips or even your own tongue too. This type of kiss is very pleasurable because it stimulates very sensitive lips, tongue, and mouth. This kiss is usually shared by those who have a romantic or sexual relationship.

Intimacy and passion is often associated with this kiss. Although sex is always anticipated after a prolonged French kiss, this is not the usual case. For this reason exactly that French kissing in some known countries, is still taboo.

I don't really know why it's called 'French kiss.' Anyway, perhaps, if the world comes to an end, this kiss will still put the French on the map.

France is considering legalizing P2P downloading. Despite the loud opposition by major record companies, French legislators are studying the drafted bill to declare Peer-to-Peer sharing legal. Individuals who use this service will be asked to pay a "consideration fee" that would be between 5 to 7 euros as a monthly subscription charge. This would mean that P2P sites are going to be legal and pay taxes. There is a bleak future for this bill; chances are it won't become a law because of the strong media disagreement with this drafted bill. A vote of 30-28 last December 21, 2005 showed that there is less support for this -- seeing that few members were present during the conference.

If this bill is unexpectedly signed as a law, France will be the first nation to legalize P2P sharing.

France is located in Western Europe between Belgium and Spain. It borders the Bay of Biscay and the English Channel.

France, between Italyand Spain , borders the Mediterranean Sea. It has total land area of 545, 630 square meters, just slightly less than twice the size of Colorado. It is basically hills and plains in France but they also have mountains, the Pyrenees and Alps. The weather here is perfect, cool winters and mild summers. It has many provinces and wine regions.

One of the finest cities in Europe, Paris boasts a reputation of being the most romantic place in the world. Paris by night is exuberant and radiates a romantic atmosphere. Every year, millions of lovers flock to the "City of Love" to renew their vows and start their lives together.

Paris houses several fantastic honeymoon destinations that will captivate the emotion of lovers. The heart of Paris calls every couple to share their magic moment. Not just a destination, Paris is truly a lovers' destiny.