French culture is diverse. It differs depending on where it’s practiced and even within Paris itself.
Formality and hierarchy are fundamental aspects of French social etiquette. For instance, French people will commonly address strangers or people higher up the social ladder with a formal “vous.”
Marianne
Marianne is the face of France, featured on everything from postage stamps and wine bottle caps to euro coins and city hall seals. Often depicted as a Greek-Roman goddess or harpy (like in Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People painting), she stands as an iconic national symbol – symbolic of French culture’s long-held belief that women were less intimidating than their male counterparts in Ancient Greek and Roman traditions.
Most depictions of Marianne show her baring at least one breast and donning a red Phrygian cap, worn originally by emancipated slaves in Greece and Rome and by seamen and galley slaves throughout the Mediterranean; later adopted by Revolutionaries to symbolize liberty and republican pride. Additionally, this symbolism served to embody “Marianne’s Law”, which states that any person born or resident in France is entitled to citizenship regardless of ethnic background or religion.
Christmas
French Christmas traditions combine Christianity and ancient pagan rituals. Similar to other countries, the French celebrate this holiday season through numerous customs that take place mostly within their home environment.
Homeowners in France commonly display an Advent wreath composed of fir and pine tree branches fashioned into an Advent wreath with four candles to represent each Sunday leading up to Christmas Day. Furthermore, many houses also hang a set of “four beggars” consisting of dried nuts, fruits and almonds in their home for decoration.
Pere Noel, or Father Christmas in French, visits good kids by leaving treats in their shoes or boots depending on whether or not they have been good. Children often place their shoes by the fireplace in anticipation of Saint Nick making his visit on December 6.
Home with creches (nativity scenes) will often contain figurines called “santons”, carefully handcrafted from clay. These figures include Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus along with characters representing traditional professions like bakers, butchers and tailors.
New Year’s Eve
As in other countries, New Year’s Eve in France (le Reveillon du jour de l’an) is an opportunity for parties with friends and family. Many cities and towns host ball events that are usually dressy or costumed affairs. French celebrants traditionally mark this event by throwing confetti, streamers (called des cotillons), blowing into serpentins attached to whistles (serpentine), kissing each other at midnight while exclaiming “Bonne Annee!,” kissing their cheek twice with champagne being drunk by toasting one another before toasting each other twice and exclaiming “bonne Annee!” as they all exclaim together “bonne Annees!” and drink champagne as they do this special night of festivities!
Epiphany occurs on January 6th and marks a momentous event for French culture: people consume la galette des Rois – a cake decorated with small figurines of kings baked inside it – to mark this special day as well as make new resolutions for 2019.
Easter
French culture is highly diverse. While most French consider themselves Christians (primarily Catholics), many practice other faiths. France boasts an impressive literary legacy with works like Les Miserables and artists like Monet renowned worldwide.
French society is widely known for their sense of style and sophistication, evidenced by clothing, food, wine and language. Furthermore, French people place great value in art; Louvre museum being one of the largest art collections worldwide.
Bessieres in Provence has an unusual Easter tradition: every Easter Monday volunteers come together and cook a giant omelet using thousands of eggs! This tradition dates back to 1973 and may have started as a tribute to Napoleon who visited Bessieres with his army and ordered locals to prepare him a big feast! This act serves as an example of taking an existing pagan symbol and giving it Christian significance while using up those forbidden eggs during Lent!