France has long been considered a center for European art and music. The country hosts a wide variety of indigenous folk music, as well as styles played by immigrants from Africa, Latin America and Asia.

French music history dates back to organum in the 10th century, followed by the Notre Dame School, an organum composition style

Organum = technique of singing during middle ages

In the field of classical music, France has produced a number of legendary composers, while modern pop music has seen the rise of popular French hip hop, and pop performers.

The West of France comprises the Pays de Nantes, the provinces of Vendée, Anjou and Maine, and the Poitou-Charentes region

Ballad-singing, dance-songs and fiddle-playing have survived, predominantly in Poitou and the Vendée

Central France includes the regions of Auvergne, Limousin, Morvan, Nivernais, Bourbonnais and Berry. The lands are the home to the French bagpipe tradition

Traditional styles of music have survived most in remote areas like the island of Corsica and mountainous Auvergne, as well as the more nationalistic regions of the Basques and Bretons.

In many cases, folk traditions were revived in relatively recent years to cater to tourists. These “groupes folkloriques” tend to focus on very early 20th century melodies and the use of the piano accordion.

Other styles of music include…

Bagpipe Hurdy Gurdy (mech.

Violin) Classical Opera 20th Century/ neo-

classical

Rock Progressive Rock Hip-Hop Rai (Algerian)