The international team of contributors and consultants have provided over 700 entries offering wide-ranging coverage and crossing the traditional boundaries between disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. French culture is defined in its broadest sense and areas covered include: Economy Education Film Food and Wine Gender and Sexuality Intellectual Life Language and Identity Literature Media Music Performing Arts Politics Religion Society Visual Arts. Entries range from shorter, factual contributions to longer overview essays, and provide an essential context for anyone studying French, readers with an interest in critical theory and anyone pursuing comparative studies in European culture. To assist readers with their research a classified contents list identifies relevant entries within a particular field. The articles are extensively cross-referenced to provide links between subjects and conclude with annotated suggestions for further reading. Elza Adamowitz, Queen Mary and Westfield College, UK Dennia Ager, Aston University; Robert Aldrich, University of Sydney; Laurence Bell, University of Surrey; Jennifer B