Where in the world is Renderosity? Our next stop is France - one of the long standing nations of the European continent. For the next two weeks you will learn about the French Republic, as well as meet some French digital artists that call Renderosity home.

As with several other languages, Renderosity offers the French language in the Renderosity MarketPlace for international members.

Like previous locations, including our trip to Germany, we will take a look at some of our French members who contribute throughout the site. Those who have ever been to France are also welcome to share stories or experiences right in the Opinions section on this page.

Congratulations to Natolii, Jonesyboy and pixeltek. They were randomly selected from the correct entries in the Where in the World? Quiz. Our next stop in the Renderosity Travels will be around again before you know it, so stay tuned! In the meantime, we give you...France.

The history of France is entwined with the very history of Man himself. Homo sapiens began inhabiting much of Europe (including France) some 50 millenia ago. Evidence of Man's presence in France during these times has been preserved in such places as the Caves of Lascaux and the Carnac stones.

In Roman Antiquity the area that is now France was populated by Celtic tribes and was known collectively as Gaul. These Celtic tribes eventually founded cities that would one day become Paris, Bordeaux and Toulouse. Settlers from other regions in Europe founded their own cities as well, including areas that are now Marseille and Nice. The rising Roman Empire, led by Caesar himself, conquered Gaul and created from it several provinces. This saw the creation of several more important cities such as Lyon and Narbonne.

The decline of the Roman Empire led to France becoming part of the larger Frankish kingdoms, giving France a common historical link with one of its larger European brethren, Germany. This time saw the rule of one of the most famous European leaders in history, Charlemagne.

It wasn't until the 13th century and the rule of Saint Louis that France began to resemble a unified kingdom. French was ruled as an absolute monarchy until well into the 18th century, when the French Revolution changed how the nation of France was to be ruled. During this time Napoleon rose to become one of the most famous military leaders in history. His empire controlled a majority of the modern European continent.

Like most other European countries, France was pulled into direct conflict during both World Wars. One of the most famous Allied assaults in the Second World War occured on France's shores at the Battle of Normandy.

France is the most visited country in the entire world, and with good reason. With its robust history, modern resorts and ammenities, rural attractions and metropolitan nightlife, it is no wonder that France gets 30 million more tourists per year than the second place country, Spain.

Some of the most beautiful and instantly recognizable architecture in the world rests on France's skyline. This includes the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Cathedral of Notre Dame and the Pallace of Versailles.

If you are in France's capital and largest city, Paris, you can see the most visited and one of the most celebrated museums in the world - the Louvre. Famous pieces of artwork spanning almost 2,500 years are on display here. This includes Masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and the French Liberty Leading the People.

For the outdoor types there are the Alps in eastern France where one can find hiking and skiing. Also in the eastern parts of the country you can find Avignon, which was the home for several Popes in the 14th and 15th centuries. Those interested in a little sun and sand can visit the French Riviera located on the Mediterranean. This area is a haven for the almost mythical superyachts - the gigantic boats of the super rich. It is estimated that almost 90% of all superyachts will visit the French Riveria at one point during the ship's lifespan.

For centuries French cuisine has been held in high regard both inside the country and out. With bouts of political instability and different social movements came a unique idea for cuisine which would later form a distinct French identity. From Taillevent in the Middle Ages to the master chefs of today, these people have become renowned throughout the country for their advancements of French cuisine.

Like most larger countries, French dishes can be broken down to a regional level using a wide variety of locally grown vegetables and fruits. There are many dishes, however, that one can find regardless of location within France. For instance, you might want to try some Steak frites or Foie gras with a nice glass of wine. For dessert one can find a variety of cookies, tarts and eclairs. Chocolate lovers will also be glad to find Chocolate Mousse here as well.

The French follow a familiar Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner pattern. In urban areas such as Paris, one can choose between hundreds or thousands of different places to dine, including Cafes, Bistros and Brasserie. The word restaurant itself is derived from a French word meaning "to restore."

France produces more wine than any other country in the world. Grapes from French vineyards help create some of the finest and most exclusive wines found anywhere on Earth. Such is France's influence on the vineyard that its grape varieties and wine making techniques are seen throughout the world even today. And the French have plenty of practice; wine making has been practiced in the area now known as France since the 6th Century BC.

France has a continued presence in the major sports of Europe, including football, rugby and the emerging sport of basketball. The French national team (Les Bleus) finished as the runner up in the last FIFA World Cup, and the country was the host for the 1998 version of the event. Currently there are nine Frenchmen playing in the U.S. National Basketball Association. A French aristocrat is responsible for reviving the Olympic Games, and Paris was awarded the second iteration of the Games after Athens. Other popular sports in the country include Tennis, Sailing and Handball.

France is of course well known for its namesake cycling event - the Tour de France. It is seen as the pinnacle of competitive cycling, and is by far the most recognizable and watched event in the sport. The race normally lasts 23 days, with the race leader at the beginning of each day donning a yellow jersey to be distinguishable from the pack. This has been tradition in some form since 1919. The distance in the race can go as far as 2,500 miles (4,000km). Although Frenchmen currently hold the most Tour de France victories overall with 36, the last Frenchman to win was Bernard Hinault in 1985.

For distinctly French types of sports you can try such activities as Petanque, which involves throwing hollow metal balls as close as possible to a wooden ball, or the martial-art inspired Parkour.