French culture often gets mischaracterized as being distant or closed-off, yet this is untrue. French social etiquette tends to be formal and respectful – using “Bonjour” is used for greeting, with handshakes being appropriate in initial meetings; close family or close friends exchanging ‘les bises” (kisses on the cheek).
French Style
French fashion and culture is well-known, while wine and cuisine remain key aspects of their heritage.
Paris is known as the fashion capital of Europe, boasting top designer labels like Chanel and Louis Vuitton as its home base. Parisians dress in an effortless but classy way; often seen wearing stripes on tops, blazers or long coats.
French culture places great emphasis on art – from literature and painting to opera and cinema. French people take great pride in their melodious language, as it has produced some of the world’s greatest writers.
Criticism of French culture often falls on its ears as people mistake them for being rude or cold, yet this misperception does not reflect reality. French society lays great importance on greeting others correctly with “bonjour” or “bonsoir,” using appropriate cutlery when dining together in restaurants, and greeting with an appropriate “bonjour” or “bonsoir.”
French Art
French citizens take great pride in their national heritage and exhibit deep reverence for the arts – literature, painting and cinema are world renowned in France.
Art is also an outlet for social commentary. Rococo art from 17th-century France was characterized by charming frivolity with just a hint of sexuality; but following Enlightenment and Romanticism’s arrival, artists like Delacroix and Theodore Gericault used art to address issues related to human equality and justice.
Paul Gauguin and other artists developed Synthetism painting in the late 1880s, breaking from Impressionism by emphasizing flat patterns of color with thick outlines reminiscent of medieval enamel techniques. This new art form soon became the dominant art form in France until Impressionism was overtaken by Realism followed by Cubism and Fauvism modernism movements – with Monet’s Water Lilies paintings on display at Musee d’Orsay as proof.
French Sports
French athletes are among the world’s premier competitors in cycling, football (soccer), handball and basketball – but are perhaps best known for their penchant for petanque – the uniquely Gallic sport played in parking lots or alleyways during summer as makeshift boulodromes.
Tennis is another national passion of French society, evidenced by events like Roland Garros tournament. However, French people tend to shun gym culture for outdoor sports like swimming, sailing and skiing instead.
French sports transcend just playing fields; their influence stretches to art, politics and social relationships as well as athletes themselves. No secret exists regarding French pride for their world-class athletes competing in Tour de France or winning gold medals at Olympics; these individuals are celebrated throughout France as they receive national praise – this applies both for men’s and women’s national teams across various sports: they have held onto Formula One championship since 2013, winning eight out of the last nine Six Nations championships with ease!
French Family Life
Family is of immense significance in French culture. For generations, extended and nuclear families alike have provided the cornerstone of society in France. Today however, family structures are changing with French people marrying later and having fewer children; more commonly also than not couples form new or blended families from previous relationships that form an extended or blended family unit.
Parents of the same sex are increasingly adopting each other’s children due to legalization of same sex marriages in 2013 and the availability of medically assisted reproduction services to homosexual couples.
French families enjoy going for an outdoor stroll on Sunday afternoon, whether that means strolling through their local park or hiking up a mountain trail. A great opportunity to take in beautiful landscapes while teaching children about unique plant and animal life unique to each region.