French in Cleveland

Ed Hollo and Cindy Hazelton from the French American Chamber of Commerce of Northern Ohio at the 2009 Home & Garden Show

The FACC is a non-profit, non-political organization whose mission is to encourage the trade of goods and services, promote investment, provide information for business expansion, coordinate the efforts of international agencies, and foster global understanding between France and the Northeast Ohio area.

Where French is spoken

France is a member of the G8 group of leading industrialized nations and is ranked as the sixth largest economy by nominal GDP. France joined 11 other EU members to launch the euro on January 1, 1999, with euro coins and banknotes completely replacing the French franc in early 2002.

Josh Knerly, honorary French consul in Cleveland, said "France is a great place if you want to be in business in Europe."

Josh Knerly, honorary French consul in Cleveland

Regions of France with Paris highlighted

The Storming of the Bastille - July 14, 1789

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1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen

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Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, France suffered extensive losses in its empire, wealth, manpower, and rank as a dominant nation-state.

Nevertheless, France today is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations. Since 1958, it has constructed a hybrid presidential-parliamentary governing system resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier more purely parliamentary administrations.

In recent years, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of Europe, including the introduction of a common exchange currency, the euro, in January 1999.

At present, France is at the forefront of efforts to develop the EU's military capabilities to supplement progress toward an EU foreign policy.

(facts courtesy of CIA World Fact Book)

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The Peloton of the Tour de France