France

Since the 17th century, France has been regarded as a “center of high
culture.” As such, French culture has played a vital role in shaping world arts,
cultures, and sciences. In particular, France is internationally recognized for
its fashion, cuisine, art, and cinema.

Understanding French culture and traditions can help you better understand
your family heritage if you have French ancestors. Discover where you’re from
and more about your ancestors with the help of FamilySearch Discoveries.

Cultural Variety in France

French culture was historically shaped by Celtic, Roman, and Germanic

cultures. As these influences evolved, France became a patchwork of local
communities and customs. What’s true for one community may not be true for
another. Despite the growing global culture today, France has made an effort
to preserve the cultures of its smaller communities.

If you’re interested in learning more about the intricacies of French culture and
communities, try exploring books from this list or this list. Or if you’re lucky
enough, traveling the French countryside will give you firsthand experience.

Language

As the official language of France, French is the first language of 88% of the
population. Even then, most others speak French as a second language.

However, minority languages flourish in specific regions. For example,

eastern provinces speak German while Flemish is spoken in the northeast
and Italian is spoken in the southeast. Other communities within France speak
several other languages.
 Family

The family has served as the founding unit of French society for generations.
Traditionally, the family structure could include either extended families or
nuclear families. In recent years, that structure has shifted to primarily reflect
nuclear families as well as variations such as single-parent households or civil
unions known as PACS.

If you have French ancestors, they may have lived together as an extended
unit. Find or share stories about your French family with FamilySearch
Memories to explore the lives they led.

Religion in France

Most French citizens consider themselves to be Christian (primarily Catholic).

Historically, Catholicism played a significant role in shaping French culture
and was the state religion until 1789. In French tradition, kings were even
crowned within the Notre-Dame de Reims cathedral until 1825.

Most of the remaining population today identifies as agnostic or atheist.

However, there are also significant groups of Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist
residents in modern France.

French Values

The French motto “Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity” reflects the values of
French society. Equality and unity are important to the French. The French
also value style and sophistication, and they take pride in the beauty and
artistry of their country.

Family is also highly valued in French culture. Mealtimes are often shared
with family, and extended-family gatherings and meals are common over the
weekend.
 French Cuisine

Meals in France are meant to be enjoyed. Food is made with great care, and
mealtimes are a prime time for socializing. While French cooking is
recognized around the world, there are many varieties in cooking styles,
ingredients, and dishes from region to region. For example, Normandy cuisine
is known for seafood and cheeses while Burgundy is known for beef.

That being said, traditional French cuisine is characterized by its cheeses,

wines, breads, and sauces. Recently, French cuisine has shifted to reflect
lighter fare rather than the more traditional heavy sauces and complicated
preparations

Breakfast in French culture is typically light: a French pastry or bread served

with a hot beverage. Lunch and dinner, on the other hand, are considered to
be the main meals of the day. Formal meals will have four courses: a starter,
a salad, a main course, and a cheese or dessert course.

French Fashion

Paris is often regarded as the fashion capital of the world. It is home to

several worldwide brands such as Louis Vuitton and Chanel. France became
a major influencer in fashion beginning with the reign of Louis XIV in the
1600s. During that time, France became known for its luxury goods
throughout Europe.

Today, French style can be described as sophisticated and fashionable. A

typical outfit may include dresses or suits with long coats and scarves.
 French Art and Media

The arts are deeply appreciated in French traditions. Hobbies and professions
are historically shown deep respect for the craftsmanship that goes into them.
French literature, painting, and cinema are all historically significant around
the world. Works such as Les Misérables or artists such as Monet are some
of the most recognizable in the world.

Today, art is still highly regarded in France. The Louvre, housed in Paris, is
the largest art museum in the world. If you visit France, you’ll also likely see
artists in the streets painting.

French Traditions and Tips for Traveling

If you travel to France, understanding these French traditions might help you
prepare:

Greetings

-Kissing on the left cheek and then the right cheek is a common greeting for
informal woman-to-man, woman-to-woman, or man-to-woman interactions
-Handshakes are a common greeting for man-to-man interactions or formal
settings
-When getting someone’s attention, start by saying “Bonjour
Madame/Monsieur”

Public Behavior

-Patrons bag their own food at grocery stores

-If you speak English, ask someone if they speak English before speaking to
them in English
-It is polite to be formal and reserved, particularly with strangers or
acquaintances
-Quiet tones are expected in public
-“Dressing down” is not common in France

Eating

-Beverages are served at room temperature rather than cold or with ice
-If invited into a French home, it’s customary to bring a small gift such as
chocolates, flowers, or candies
-Appetizers are served with most meals, so don’t fill up before the main dish is
served
-To know when to start eating or how to eat certain foods, observe what the
host does
-Keep both hands at the table while eating, but keep your elbows off the table

If you’re ever uncertain how to behave while in France, observe what locals
do. Mimicking the behaviors of French locals will help you remain polite and
respectful to their culture and traditions.
French traditions and culture reflect the French values of unity, beauty,
respect, and family. If you have French family, which French traditions does
your family have?