It was a busy and hectic year for France in 2003, filled with international tensions, a deadly heat wave, an ever pricier Euro and a campaign to lure American tourists back despite it all. Consult this 2003 year in review for France.
Here are the year's top stories, including the related articles:
- Tensions Over Iraq between the U.S. and France became quite heated. As France joined a handful of other countries, such as Germany and Russia, in opposing plans to attack Iraq, Americans lashed out. There were boycotts of French products, with wine being ceremoniously dumped and the renaming of French fries to "Freedom fries."
- The Ever-Rising Euro also conspired to keep Americans from visiting France. It hit one all-time high in spring, and at the end of the year is closing at more than 1.25 to the U.S. dollar.
- Tour de France Turned 100 this year, and climaxed with the fifth win by Lance Armstrong.
- Real World Paris Debuts, resulting finally in a more flattering (perhaps?) view of Paris through the eyes of seven angst-ridden early 20-somethings. The show provided many glimpses of the city's hip nightclubs, and the group took a sidetrip around Europe that included a stop in Nice.
- Marine Runs to France with 12-Year-Old Girl he met online. He was arrested in Frankfurt.
- Storms & Fires Strike in the south of France during the summer, resulting in dozens of injuries, a handful of deaths, and the evacuation of several tourists.
- Heat Wave Grips France, killing farm animals and eventually costing thousands of lives. It ultimately led a top French health official to resign and the nation to reexamine how it handles such catastrophes.
- Starbacks Targets France for new stores in part of its global expansion. It's a bit hard to imagine ordering a Venti Mocha Valencia to go in the land of cafe au laits sipped in small mugs in quaint cafes, but it's true.
- Chunnel Eurostar Train Gets Faster, cutting 20 minutes off the speed train ride from London to Paris. Now, passengers can zip from one city to the other in just 2.5 hours, and the train will be getting even faster in the future.
- France Getting its First English Radio Station called Paris Live Radio, and scheduled to launch at the end of the year.
- Cigarette Tax Hike Prompts Protest by tobaggonists who are opposed to the 20 percent increase in levies.
- Versaille to Get 390-Euro Facelift, which will certainly add more appeal to France's second most-visited attraction. At the end of the year, renovations also begin at the Arc de Triomphe, which cause the popular Paris attraction to be closed in December.
- Air France Flights Canceled Due To Terrorism Threats on Christmas Eve. The flights were from Paris to Los Angeles. Soon after, several flights were also canceled or detained going to or from London to the U.S.
Here's hoping 2004 is a less catastrophic and tense year in France, and is much more focused on relaxing in cafes or visiting the newly renovated attractions. Bon annee, mes amis.