FRENCH CULTURE

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.
 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.
 CULTURAL VARIETY

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.
 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.
 DESSERTS
•Crème brûlée. Flickr / Keith McDuffee. This custard based dessert is topped with a layer of crunchy
caramel. ...
•Profiteroles. Flickr / Ralph Daily. ...
•Soufflé Shutterstock / Julie208. ...
•Macarons. Pixabay. ...
•Pain au chocolat. Wikimedia Commons. ...
•Tarte Tatin. Flickr/Salvatore D'Alia. ...
•Mille-feuille. Flickr/francois schnell. ...
•Crêpe. Yelp / Hope C.
 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.
 RELIGION
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.
 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.
THANK YOU