There is so much to say about the relationship between France and the United Kingdom…True to its “Did You Know?” format, LEC offers you a summary of a rich and sincere friendship, based on language trip to England —and vice versa, of course —but not only that. Here’s an overview.
From the Hundred Years' War to the Entente Cordiale
History has not always been kind to the friendship between France and the United Kingdom, the most striking example undoubtedly being the Hundred Years’ War. From 1337 to 1453, the conflict pitted the Plantagenet dynasty—and, through it, the Kingdom of England —against the Valois dynasty—and, thus, the Kingdom of France. It was not until the reigns of Louis-Philippe and Queen Victoria, and even later, in the early years of the 20th century, that we began to hear ofEntente Cordiale. The beginnings of a friendship that has come a long way since then, as you will no doubt have the opportunity to see during your language study trip to England.
The Amazing Team
Nearly a century later, people will remember the phrase used by former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who described the relationship between France and the United Kingdom as“formidable entente”. While the political affinities of the respective leaders may vary from one term to the next, the relationship is very much alive—as evidenced by the dinner shared by François Hollande and David Cameron on Thursday, May 28, 2015, at the Élysée Palace.
A long-term economic relationship
In terms of the economy, trade between the two nations is significant: in 2013, the United Kingdom was France’s fourth-largest export market and its eighth-largest supplier. Conversely, France is the United Kingdom’s fifth-largest customer and fifth-largest supplier, with approximately 6% of the market share. As for culture, it’s up to you to make new friends on your next language study trip to England…