ARTS - N - CRAFTS

The French have created beautiful and influential work in literature, architecture, painting, and cinema. Well known French authors of novels, plays, and poetry include Moliere, Victor Hugo, Emile Zola, Jean Paul Satre and Simon de Baeuvoir. The French have always worked hard for architectural excellence and have been influenced by such new approaches used by the Swiss architect, Le Corbusier. His clean, server modernist approach had a big influence on French buildings in the early twentieth century. Since the Middle Ages, France has had a central role in European painting. Paris, in particular, has attracted artist from all over . France is also famous for leading the way in fashion. Famous French actors include Gerard Depardieu, who is known internationally for his performances in films including Jean de Florette and Manon des Sources (1985). Juliette Binoche was the first French actress to win an Oscar. Every year film-makers travel from all over the world to show their latest work at the International Film Festival in Cannes, a luxurious resort on the Cote d'Azur in the South of France.