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• France
France, one of the largest countries in Western Europe, lies south
of Belgium, west of Germany and Switzerland, north of Spain and
north-west of Italy. It covers an area of 544,000 square kilometers
and is home to some 60 million people. Roman Catholicism is the
faith of more than 90 per cent of French churchgoers. The official
language, spoken by the great majority of people, is french.
France was known as Gaul during the Greek and Roman periods. In
the 5th century, Gaul was conquered by the Franks who turned christian.
Various dynasties ruled the country, including the Merovignian,
Carolingians (Charlemagne), Capetians, Valois and the Bourbons until
1789 when the people of Paris rebelled and forced the abolishment
of all feudal dues and privileges, hereditary nobility, and titles.
Three years later, the French Republic was born. However, democracy
was not to last long, as a young general, Napoleon Bonaparte, staged
a coup d' etat and seized government at the turn of the 19th century.
In 1804, Napoleon established the French Empire and crowned himself
Emperor. The 19th century was a period of political instability,
with monarchy and democracy succeeding one another.
In the 20th century, France was involved in both World Wars, but,
although ultimately a victor the country suffered extensive losses
in its empire, wealth, manpower, and rank as a dominant nation-state.
Since 1958, it has constructed a presidential democracy resistant
to the instabilities experienced in earlier parliamentary democracies.
In recent years, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany
have proved central to the economic integration of Europe.
Today, France is at the forefront of European states seeking to
exploit the momentum of monetary union to advance the creation of
a more unified and capable European defense and security apparatus.
• Paris
 Paris
(p. 10 million), the capital of France, has long inspired opinionated
outbursts, from delusional to denouncing, but on one matter travellers
remain in agreement: it's among the most stimulating cities in the
world. Paris assaults all the senses, demanding to be seen, heard,
touched, tasted and smelt. From luminescent landmarks to fresh poodle
droppings on the pavement, the city is everything it should be -
the very essence of all things French. If you go there expecting
all you've heard to be true, you won't leave disappointed.
• Venue
 
Matches scheduled for the first week of the competition (Monday
22 to Saturday 27 October inclusive) will be played in the magnificent
Stade de France. These matches include the Round Robin
for the Bermuda Bowl, Venice Cup and Seniors Bowl.
The Stade de France hosts all the major sporting events
organized in France: World cups, European cups, World Athletics
Championships, Olympic Games, etc. It was built over a period of
31 months and was inaugurated in November 1997. Obviously this is
a very big venue for a bridge championship, hence only a small part
will be used, namely the rooms Les Colonnades and Chorumand.
The entrance to be used is for accessing these rooms is 'Gate D
East'.
The Stade de France is located north of Paris, and south
of Saint-Denis, occupying an enormous area of 17 hectares or 42
acres. It is only 1.5 km (.93 miles) from Paris and 7 km (4.34 miles)
from Notre-Dame. The Stade de France is easily accessed with
public transportation - one metro (Paris subway) line and two RER
(express subway train) lines offer direct, fluid, safe transportation
to and from the stadium. Pedestrian walkways from the stations easily
guide the way. The Stade de France is located 8 minutes away
from Châtelet-les-Halles and less than 30 minutes from Roissy-Charles
de Gaulle Airport.
Detailed information on Stade de France is available on
their website at www.stadefrance.com
From Sunday 28 October to the end of the championship ALL events
will be played at the Hotel Concorde La Fayette.
• Hotel Concorde La Fayette
Ideally located few minutes from the Arc de Triomphe
and Champs Elysées, the Concorde La Fayette is part
of the largest Convention Center in Europe.
 The
Concorde La Fayette provides 500 standard rooms fully equipped
with TV, minibar, and 24 hours room-service, a choice of 4 restaurants,
an elegant Piano Bar, a Panoramic Bar with a breathtaking view over
of the City of Lights, 3,500 m² of conference facilities, a catering
service, a business center, and a concierge team available for any
information.
The Concorde La Fayette also offers 200 newly
renovated deluxe rooms, on the 'Altitude 360' floors (19th to 24th).
Besides a great view of Paris, the 'Altitude 360' rooms offer additional
services such as pay tv, video games, access to internet, and video
check-out.
The Club La Fayette is a luxury hotel located
at the top of the Concorde La Fayette. This distinctive and intimate
hotel caters to the affluent business and leisure travelers, offering
them 250 rooms in the sky of Paris, including 8 Presidential Suites
(from 1 to 4 rooms), totally renovated with a new hi-tech design,
and 25 Junior Suites. The Club La Fayette guests will enjoy
a wide range of value added-amenities, and a breathtaking view for
a prestigious stay in the sky of Paris.
Special rates have been arranged for the championship
participants in Hotel Concorde La Fayette, as follows:
| Hotel Concorde La Fayette
room rates |
| Room (single/double)
|
Rates per night,
per room
(breakfast and all taxes included)
|
| DELUXE |
€110
|
| CLUB LA FAYETTE |
€155
|
| JUNIOR SUITE |
€650
|
| PRESIDENTIAL SUITE one room |
€1,500
|
| PRESIDENTIAL SUITE two rooms |
€1,800
|
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33-1-4068
5068
33-1-4068
5043
