France is home to generations-old traditions that span food, language and fashion – an unparalleled example of style and sophistication.
If you are used to having someone bag your groceries at the supermarket in your home country, France might come as a shock; they prefer for shoppers to do it themselves!
Crepes
Crepes hold a special place in French culture. Crepes play an especially pivotal role during Candlemas, celebrated on February 2nd each year. Eating crepes on this date signifies prosperity and good fortune!
Crepes can represent unity and completeness while their golden hue symbolizes spring’s arrival. Therefore, finding coins or pieces of gold within your crepe is said to bring good fortune throughout the year.
Mix flour, eggs, milk, melted butter and salt in a blender until batter is smooth. Allow it to rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or overnight before heating an 8-inch frying pan or nonstick skillet over medium heat with some butter or oil swirled to evenly coat its bottom (pour out any excess). Pour 1/4 cup of batter onto the hot surface in rapid fashion while quickly rotating from side-to-side so an even circle forms before flipping it and cooking another 1-2 minutes – ready to be filled with caramel, jelly, Nutella or butter!
Wine
Wine has long been associated with French culture and identity. Most people who imagine France often picture people holding glasses of the stuff.
French wine culture is rich with traditions tied to drinking it (such as le terroir’s unique flavors). There is also an elaborate protocol for toasting.
Roland Barthes described wine in his work ‘Mythologies’ as an iconic drink that epitomises Frenchness; just like being born there, fighting for liberty or speaking French are. French visitors traveling outside France are expected to bring along at least one bottle – not as an extravagant gesture but to demonstrate national pride!
Fish with eyes
French tradition associates fish with cunningness. Eels, due to their habit of hiding under rocks and avoiding light, are commonly associated with deception and cunningness. Furthermore, the word “anguille” alludes to snakes which have long been linked with such qualities.
Fish jokes in French can trace their roots back to a change in calendar in the 16th century; those who refused to convert were subjected to ridicule by receiving fake or joke presents on April Fools Day as punishment.
France takes a different approach to bachelor and bachelorette parties than their American counterparts do: during an Enterrement de Garcon/Entrement de Jeune fille party, future grooms and brides wear comic tombstones as a sign that youth has passed. Even cars not part of the wedding party honk their horns to show support for this couple!
Baguettes
At its heart, there are various theories surrounding the origins of baguettes; most agree that its long slender shape grew as flour became finer and ovens became more powerful. One popular story credits Napoleon who apparently ordered them made longer and thinner to allow soldiers to carry it more conveniently in their pockets or under their arm.
Today, the baguette is such an integral part of French culture that it was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2022. It symbolizes French craftsmanship, equality and solidarity and its way of life.
Families may often bring pieces of baguette with them when going out to meals and restaurants, enjoying them as they go. You might even see whole pieces laying on the table so everyone can help themselves as desired!