1 Introduction

France has formed a cultural regional knowledge system since the 17th century, and after World War II, it drew on the experience of the United States to promote the modernization of its disciplinary system, forming a unique research tradition and disciplinary system. Cultural regionalism, named by Fernand Braudel, is closely related to the study of civilization history and refers to countries or regions that are not limited by political boundaries and share social issues and historical experiences. French scholars focus on cultural groups and their living worlds constructed by elements such as language, customs, and beliefs. The study of traditions, perspectives, and institutions in French cultural regionalism was formed during the historical process of France's "knowledge abroad" and can be divided into three major stages and four paradigms: 1 The paradigms of cultural discovery and cultural colonialism from the 17th century to the early 20th century; 2. The cultural modernization paradigm centered on modernity and development from World War II to the end of the 20th century; 3. The cultural globalization paradigm with postmodern reflection and criticism after the end of the Cold War.

The Pre modern Accumulation of Cultural Regionalism: Cultural Discovery and Cultural Colonialism Paradigms

Regional studies of French culture originated during the Renaissance and Enlightenment periods, and developed with the construction of nation states and colonial expansion. In the 17th and 18th centuries, France developed a paradigm of cultural discovery, such as Jean Bodin's "Six Treatises on the State" and Colbert's establishment of the Youth Language Institute, which promoted the study of exotic cultures. The Enlightenment in the 18th century promoted the "great cultural discovery". The French, such as Alexander Rhodes, conducted field research in Vietnam. Napoleon's expedition to Egypt promoted the study of Egyptology. The study of China by French missionaries, such as Du Hede's "Annals of the Chinese Empire," became the main medium for Europe to understand China. Enlightenment thinkers such as Voltaire and Montesquieu's attention to foreign social cultures laid the intellectual foundation for French modern cultural regionalism.

The Modern Discipline System of Cultural Regionalism: Cultural Modernization Paradigm

After World War II, France faced changes in its national strength and international status, requiring a re examination of the external world and cultural regions. Pierre Mendes France, the Prime Minister of the Fourth Republic of France, has made enhancing the country's scientific research capabilities a key focus of economic recovery, providing a favorable background for the development of humanities and social sciences. The development of regional country studies in American universities has provided reference for France, and the assistance provided by the United States to Europe has also promoted the integration of French knowledge production and American knowledge demands. The French Institute for Advanced Research and Practice and Sciences Po have taken the lead in developing the discipline of cultural regionalism, activating research traditions, breaking down disciplinary boundaries, fostering new knowledge systems, and endowing them with legitimacy and autonomy.

Postmodern Reflection and Criticism of Cultural Regionalism: The Paradigm of Cultural Globalization

After the Cold War, France conducted postmodern reflection and criticism on the study of cultural regions, believing that history has become more multidimensional and complex, and reflecting on the cultural region research position centered on the state, ethnicity, development, and Western "universalism". French scholars emphasize the need to pay more attention to the differences and diversity of cultural identity, and to see the heterogeneity and evolution within Western culture. Huntington's "Clash of Civilizations" is seen as an innovation from the perspective of cultural pluralism, using the fault lines of civilizations as the dividing line for understanding a multipolar and diverse world. France believes that cultural regionalism should be transformed into the study of understanding the globalized world and the new international order. Globalization has not led to homogenization of the world, but has given rise to diverse and layered identities, requiring a more global perspective and appropriate knowledge of cultural regions.

5 Conclusion

Although France is no longer a traditional "first-class power", its international influence remains strong, thanks to its diplomatic strategy and skills. The success of France's foreign policy and diplomatic actions relies on the knowledge system of regional studies. The knowledge accumulation of French cultural regionalism began in the 17th and 18th centuries, and after World War II, it entered the stage of disciplinary establishment and modernization development. After the end of the Cold War, it continuously innovated methods, systems, and expanded its horizons. The paradigm of knowledge production also underwent a transformation from cultural discovery and colonialism to cultural modernization and globalization. The development process of French cultural regionalism reflects continuity and development, and its paradigm shift is closely related to France's mission of the times and national strategy. France has become one of the few countries with systematic research on all cultural regions of the world. When exploring the construction of regional and national disciplinary systems, China should pay attention to and learn from France's path and characteristics in developing cultural regional studies, providing inspiration and reference for China to build an independent knowledge system for regional and national studies.