The border regions of Eastern France are closely related with the neighbouring countries. This relationship is still alive in spite of the tendency to stress national identity of each state. The relative linguistic homogeneity favours cultural
continuity, a spatial model that can be seen as having developed during four periods: up to 1955, perceptions were preferentially directed to national spaces| from 1955 till 1960, the linguistic unity gradually entered the perceptions of people in the areas