CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS IN FRANCE

France, and in particular Paris, has played an important role as a centre of high culture since the 17th century, first in Europe, and from the 19th century on, world wide. From the late 19th century, France has also played an important role in cinema, fashion and cuisine.

French Food

A meal often consists of three courses, hors d’œuvre or entrée (introductory course,

sometimes soup), plat principal (main course), fromage (cheese course) or dessert,

sometimes with a salad offered before the cheese or dessert.

French BreadThere is almost nothing more traditional in France than the sight of people lining up

outside of the local boulangerie (bread store) waiting for their fresh baguette which they will eat with breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are even regulations on ingredients and method of production of the baguette traditionelle.

France is the birthplace of crepes; on almost every street corner you will be able to

find a small kiosk serving crepes. There are savoury crepes (with cheese and ham) or sweet

ones (with chocolate cream, marmalade or just a bit of sugar). The smell in the air around

those shops is so good that it’s difficult to pass by without stopping to get a bite.

France is the country of cheese and wine. Every little village produces its own wine and

cheese and many are excellent. It will probably take a lifetime just to try all of them, but

some people could say that is a life worth living. A couple of the most famous French dishes

are, ratatui  (ratatouille), a mix of garden vegetable such as zucchini, pepper, eggplants

(made famous by the latest Disney cartoon) and French onion soup, a very tasty soup made

from onion, bread and melted cheese.

French Clothing

In France there is no national dress, but there are many traditional costumes that

were inspired by the garments of people from the countryside. These are often worn during

holidays and religious celebrations.  France has many regions (22), each with their own

traditional dress.

Nowadays, everybody dresses much more casually. French fashion and style (together with

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the Italians) are famous all around the world and the names and addresses of the most

important shopping centers in Paris (such as the Primtemps or Galerie Lafayette) are listed in

all the city guides.

Still today, French fashion is signifies elegance and a high lifestyle and French brands (maison de mode) and designers (coutourier) such as Chanel, Yves St. Lauren and Lavin still dress royal families all across Europe.Among these designers, one of the most famous is Coco Chanel, who, born in a small village in the countryside in 1883 created the brand Chanel, which, still today, epitomizes elegance and style. With her creations, she made women feel beautiful and comfortable, and she invented one of the world’s most famous perfumes, Chanel no. 5.

French holiday traditions

There are many French traditions that are associated with holidays and celebrations.

Le NoelThe dominant religion in France is Catholicism, so many people attend the traditional late evening Christmas Mass. Le Réveillon (referring to the birth of Christ) is the dinner that follows and will usually include turkey, capon, goose, chicken, and boudin blanc (white pudding). Père Noël (Santa Clause) fills shoes left in front of the fireplace instead of stockings. Père Fouettard might also appear if children have been naughty and will give out spankings instead of presents.

PâquesThis is the name for Easter in France, and there are several traditions associated with

it. For example, no church bells are rung from the Thursday before Good Friday until Easter Sunday. When the bells resume, people hug and kiss each other. Instead of the Easter Bunny, French children believe that the silent church bells become Flying Bells that depart before Good Friday, taking with them all the grief and misery of mourners of Christ's crucifixion.

After they visit the Pope in Rome, they return on Easter Sunday, having hidden chocolate Easter eggs for children to find.

Poisson D’AvrilTranslated as the Easter Fish this French tradition is much like April Fools Day, taking place on April first. Children make fish out of paper and pin them to the backs of as many adults as possible, running away while saying Poisson D’Avril. You can purchase a fish made of chocolate which you would certainly not pin on anyone, but makes a delicious way to celebrate this day!

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Bastille DayLa Fête Nationale, celebrated on July 14 is much like the Fourth of July in the United States. The celebration commemorates the day in 1789 when the prison at the Bastille was stormed and pillaged by angry French citizens, the beginning of the French Revolution. Like July 4, the day is marked with fireworks, parades and similar celebrations. The  French national anthem is often heard on this memorable holiday.

Wedding TraditionsAt French weddings it is traditional for someone to behead bottles of champagne using a specially-made saber. According to legend, the tradition originated with Napolean’s skilled Hussard horse soliders. They would ride up at a full gallop and cleanly chop the top of champagne bottles held in the air by ladies.

French film traditions

France is the birthplace of cinema and was responsible for many of its early significant contributions: Antoine Lumière realized, on 28 December 1895, the first projection, with the Cinematograph, in Paris.

Brigitte Bardot was one of the most famous French actress in the 1960s, as well as the actor Alain Delon.

During this period, French commercial film also made a name for itself. Immensely popular French comedies with Louis de Funès topped the French box office. The war comedy La Grande Vadrouille (1966), from Gérard Oury with Bourvil and Terry-Thomas, was the most successful film in French theaters for more than 30 years.

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