You can truly get to know a country, feel its spirit, atmosphere and mood, feel its past and look into the future, either by living there for many years, or by communicating with people who deeply understand the essence of all problems, thanks to their professional activities. This publication offers a comprehensive portrait of France, based on the competent opinions of respected experts. What was the highlight of Emmanuel Macron's election campaign? What are the prospects for Franco-Russian relations at the current stage of their development? When did French society first encounter the problem of Breton nationalism? What is the most important and difficult task facing the French President? What kind of relations did Russia have with France after the end of World War II? What is one of the main points of French international policy? How are the French different from the Americans? What is the secret of the phenomenon of Russian ballet in France at the beginning of the 20th century? Which representatives of the French creative elite recognized the influence of Russian ballets on their own works? What is the situation with Franco-Russian cultural cooperation today? The author, together with his interlocutors, is trying to convey to readers “living France”, to show what the country breathes today, touching on all aspects of the life of the state - from politics to culture.