Celebrating Shared Traditions and History

Many French festivals are rooted in the country’s rich history and cultural traditions. Whether it’s celebrating historical events like Bastille Day or honoring local saints, festivals allow communities to come together and reflect on their shared past. For example, Bastille Day on July 14th commemorates the French Revolution, and it brings people together in cities and towns across the country to celebrate liberty, equality, and fraternity. These celebrations not only educate the younger generations about the country’s history but also help preserve cultural memories that define the nation.

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Promoting Local and Regional Pride

In France, many festivals are regional and celebrate the unique cultural identity of specific areas. For instance, in the south of France, the Fête de la Saint-Jean celebrates local traditions with bonfires, music, and dancing. Similarly, in the region of Brittany, festivals celebrate Celtic heritage with traditional music and dance. These festivals allow people to express pride in their regional cultures while also sharing their customs with visitors from other parts of the country and the world. This creates a sense of unity within the region and strengthens ties among locals.

Bringing People of All Ages Together

French festivals are often intergenerational, meaning they bring together people of all ages. Whether its children participating in traditional games, teenagers enjoying music and dancing, or grandparents sharing stories from the past, everyone plays a role in the celebration. This inclusivity helps create a sense of community, where people from different generations feel connected by common cultural values and activities. For example, during music festival, which takes place across the country every June, people of all ages come together to enjoy live music in the streets, fostering a shared experience for everyone.

Fostering New Connections and Inclusivity

French festivals also attract visitors from outside the community, which helps build connections between locals and tourists. Events like the Cannes Film Festival or the Nice Carnival bring people from around the world to experience French culture. By interacting with others who share a love for French traditions, locals and tourists alike can build new friendships and promote inclusivity. These gatherings create spaces where people can exchange ideas, share experiences, and learn about different cultures, strengthening the overall sense of belonging.

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The French are romantic, gallant and thoughtful

The reputation of Paris as the world capital of luxury, fashion and lovers seems to rub off on all French people. The French are said to be romantic, gallant and thoughtful, and more to the point: the reputation of the French lover or French kiss is well established. As for French women, they’re considered coquettish, tasteful but as easy to open as a flower in the morning dew if that’s not a nice way of putting it.

The French are refined

We are seen as cultured, refined and aesthete, thanks in part to the reputation of our museums, artists and other intellectuals. Last but not least, our gourmet side is also emphasized. In fact, since 2010, French gastronomy has been listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Some say that the French live to eat, while elsewhere we eat to live. This Epicureanism is intriguing, and has given rise to the expression French paradox to explain why our lifespan is slightly longer than that of our neighbors, despite our frequent excesses.

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The french are rude

It’s said abroad that the French are eternally dissatisfied. Foreigners criticize the French for being rude, proud and haughty, always comparing other people’s countries with their own.

According to a Sky canner airline survey, the French are particularly notorious for their curt and dry attitude towards foreign tourists.  But let’s not forget that many foreigners come to Paris, which has the shortcomings of “a big city where the people are not welcoming. But Paris is not France. Could it be that Parisians are so mean? The charm of Paris and its unique architecture can certainly make people envious, but the French are also attached to their landscapes, their history, their wines, their fashion, their artistic heritage, and they claim it… perhaps too much so.

The Beret, the Baguette and the Wine

The French are said to wear a beret on the head, and a baguette and wine in hand. This cliché stems from the fact that the beret is worn by peasants, artists and intellectuals in certain regions. It was also the headgear of film directors until the 1980s. Foreigners think of it in the same way as they think of the Eiffel Tower: a Frenchman without a baguette is not a Frenchman, and Paris without the Eiffel Tower is not Paris.

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The French, France and abroad

But what kind of vacations do the French themselves prefer? In fact, 80% of French people prefer to stay in France for their vacations, confirming the common idea that the French are not keen on long journeys. For you, who often come from afar to learn French in France, this may seem strange. Is this a sign of chauvinism, or is it a decision imposed by economic motives?  Whatever the case, in summer, almost 65% of French people go on vacation for an average of two weeks, and the seaside remains their favorite destination compared to the mountains and the countryside.

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Popular parts of the world: Countries close to the Mediterranean, such as Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece, have long been very popular. Next come reservations for the Asian continent, with a preference for Thailand and Vietnam. A large number of French people also enjoy Tunisia and Morocco. Choosing Spain or the Balearics, for example, guarantees a sunny holiday at a reasonable price. What’s more, it’s interesting to note that it’s mostly people from the Paris region who choose to travel outside France.

Evolving trends

France is no joke when it comes to vacations, and it’s not just in soccer that we’re world champions! In fact, we’re champions in every category, with almost five weeks’ vacation a year! It all began in 1936 with the introduction of paid vacations. Back then, it was just a question of two weeks’ rest a year, but it was already a great step forward… Finally, what has been new in recent years is the development of e-tourism, the use of the Internet and the rise of low-cost airlines. 72% of French people use the web before their trip to compare fares, consult customer reviews or find accommodation with a private owner.

Going on vacation, and financing it, can be a long-term project for some: 28% of summer holidaymakers say they are saving for more than a year to go on vacation, a figure that rises to 43% among blue-collar workers. This may lead them to give in to the temptation of credit: 30% of French people say they are ready to take out a loan to afford a trip, a proportion that rises to almost half among young people, who are more lavish than their elders.

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Family and friends

There’s no substitute for a strong bond with family and close friends. Being away from them can be one of the most difficult aspects of expatriation. Missing important events such as birthdays and anniversaries is also difficult, because you want to be there for the people you love, and you’d like to catch up with them all to celebrate the special occasion. The fear of being forgotten and of seeing certain relationships change with distance are very strong feelings that can be hard to face.

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French gastronomy

France is world-famous for its delicious, refined cuisine. Croissants, cheese, wine and, of course, pastries are elements of French culture that can be hard to find abroad. Although Canada offers a variety of international products, as well as quite a few French ones, I really miss some of the food brands that marked my childhood.

The feeling of belonging to the country you live in

Although Canada is a welcoming country, it can be difficult for French people to develop an immediate sense of belonging to their new homeland. It can take time to acclimatize to a different culture and environment. It’s a feeling I can’t really explain, but France is home. At certain important events or iconic French dates, it’s as if a feeling of patriotism takes over and the desire to return to France is suddenly greater.

Vacation length

The French are used to long annual vacations. We’re a long way from 5 weeks’ vacation a year. On average, in Canada, expatriates often have 2 weeks’ vacation per year in their first years. That said, more and more companies are offering 3 weeks and flexible vacations. In conclusion, although Canada offers many opportunities and a high quality of life, I think it’s quite normal that some French people, like me, sometimes feel the lack of certain aspects of their home country. The important thing is to enjoy the incredible advantages of living in Canada, and in Montreal in particular.

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Attitude to culture in the street?

It’s easy to recognize a Frenchman by his attitude in the street: first of all, he’ll run pedestrians’ lights. You’d think they’d be disrespectful or color-blind, but no, the French assume that lights are for cars and that passers-by have priority – well, almost everywhere! If there’s a queue in a restaurant, at a checkout, at an exhibition… no problem, the French will find a trick to avoid it or to reduce it greatly in this case. Believe me, the French can be very creative when it comes to saving time.

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The French are by nature culture lovers. Even in the middle of nowhere, you’ll find every Frenchman within a 50 km radius at THE castle to visit. In town, if you want to find a few frogeyes, we invite you to go to a major museum or to see the latest fashionable exhibition, as the French are always on the lookout for the city’s cultural must-see.

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The French will order at least a starter + a main course, or a main course + a dessert, if not all three. Food is an integral part of culture, and it would be a shame not to try all the dishes on the menu. Say goodbye to club sandwiches with a glass of juice or a mini hot dog with a soda, and let’s discover the gastronomy of the host country, which is an integral part of the trip! If you lend an ear to the French table next to yours, outside the language of Molière, you can hear the conversation drifting at one point to food… we can’t help but talk about this subject that fascinates and animates us even when we’re at the table!

Finally, the French consider that service is, by definition, included everywhere… which is far from being the case. For example, if the pretty waitress has managed to tempt the guest’s wallet with a few words of French, or if the kind waiter has managed to advise on the dishes and wine, while being discreet and attentive at the same time – in short, the French art of tipping is much appreciated by discerning diners.

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The French are rude

A rude woman who sticks her tongue out: This stereotype comes to us mainly from tourists who come to France on vacation, and particularly to Paris. Waiters have a bad reputation: they don’t smile, they’re moody, they’re unfriendly and they’re sometimes even aggressive! All of which undermines the French reputation when it comes to welcoming tourists. In fact, Paris is considered the rudest city in Europe.

The French are romantic

French men have a reputation for being perfect lovers. Romantic, cultured, attentive… in short, the epitome of finesse and gallantry. The origins of this stereotype are unclear, but the image of Paris as the capital of love in the imagination of tourists around the world surely plays its part. Small gestures, such as holding the door open for the person behind you, and the rules of table manners, for example, reinforce the idea of the romantic Frenchman.

The French all know how to cook

If foreigners are to be believed, the French are all-star chefs. France is renowned for its gastronomy and culinary traditions, so it’s only a short step to saying that the French are all gourmets. In fact, since 2010, gastronomy, or rather the gastronomic meal of the French, has been included in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

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The French are heavy smokers

Cigarettes, if possible accompanied by a glass of wine on the terrace of a Parisian café, are often associated with the stereotypical image of the French. And indeed, there are more smokers in France than in other countries. In Europe, France ranks 4th out of 28 member states, with 32% of the population smoking. This cliché is especially prevalent in the cinema, where French people are often seen with a cigarette in their mouth – and a drink in their hand.

The French are bad at foreign languages, especially English

This cliché has a long life, but it’s not totally unfounded. In 2015, France ranked 29th out of 72 countries for English proficiency among adults. This puts it in the average category, just 2 points above the poor category. The reasons are to be found in learning methods, which are highly theoretical and leave little room for oral practice. The result: abroad, the French have a reputation for being bad and/or unwilling to express themselves in another language. That said, the French make up for this with Spanish, which is a Romance language, so grammar and phonetics are much closer to the language of Molière.

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Dubbing and film titles

Foreigners from countries where everything is shown on TV and in the cinema in its original version with subtitles find dubbing a laughing matter! Of course, some cinemas in France and some TV channels broadcast in V.O., but this is far from the majority. Dubbing is an integral part of French TV and film culture. My surprise when I started watching films and series in V.O. and discovered the real voices of actors I’d seen in films since childhood Bruce Willis, Robin Williams, and Peter Falk in Colombo!.

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I’ve found that the same shock applies to foreigners discovering their first dubbed film. In the same category, it makes English speakers laugh a lot that some countries, including France, change film titles, very often too much longer than the original title, and even more often still in English, but with simpler words. My favorites? The Hangover becomes Very Bad Trip, as good as it gets becomes for better or worse, or Junior becomes a cop in kindergarten.

Vacations

But how can the French work if they’re on vacation all the time? Our 5-week minimum vacation entitlement is the stuff of dreams for many foreigners, especially when you explain that some companies offer much more than 5 weeks… My answer is always that social benefits are very strong in France, and also that it has been proven that the French are among the most productive workers in Europe, despite all their vacations. It would seem that always having a vacation on the horizon helps you stay more productive… I vote for it!

Fake English words

This paragraph is mainly for those who live in English-speaking countries. The idea is that the French use a lot of what we call in this book Fake English words, i.e. English words that are not used at all in the right way in French, or even simply don’t exist in English. Choose from: un parking, un tennis man, faire un footing, un French only the French describe themselves as French, so British this expression can be found everywhere in French magazines and TV shows, whereas it’s not used in the UK. Using Fake English words is so French!

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Paris and Biarritz

Impossible not to start this ranking by the French capital. As Paris is the most visited city in the world, its visit is essential. There is so much to discover in the capital that it would be impossible to draw up an exhaustive list. You’ve never been to Paris? Start by visiting the must-see places such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, the mythical districts such as Montmartre, the banks of the Seine. Enjoy French cuisine in one of the many Parisian bistros. Their cuisine and refinement are no secret to anyone. Discover the many art galleries, exhibitions of famous or unknown artists, theater shows. Stroll through the gardens and parks of the City of Light. Make this first encounter an unforgettable moment.

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This seaside resort is renowned as the French capital of surfing. It is a jewel of the Atlantic coast. Nestled between vestiges of the past and a rich cultural heritage, the charisma of this city will charm you from your first visit. Like all the most beautiful cities in France, there is no shortage of things to do in Biarritz. Discover the culture and Basque specialties through the Halles of the city. Afterwards, discover the lighthouse at the tip of Saint-Martin. Enjoy a breathtaking view of the Atalaye plateau. Fill up with captivating discoveries with the museum of the sea. Finally end the day with an unforgettable sunset on the Rock of the Virgin.

Montpellier and Saint-Malo

How not to speak of the jewel city of Occitania. The city of Montpellier calls for astonishment and wonder. Indeed, it is a strong place for French culture and arts. Its architecture is renowned worldwide. Its success is worldwide thanks to the trams designed by Christian LA Croix elected the sexiest in the world. First, discover the historic center, nicknamed the Crest, entirely pedestrian. Pass by the Saint-Pierre Cathedral or the Museum of Anatomy or Fabre. Taste the pleasures of contemplating the beautiful Botanical Gardens of the city. Finally, end your day in one of the many establishments of the city, famous for their nightlife.

This Breton city has all the attention of European travelers. Its calm and beauty of seaside town make it a destination of choice to relax. Thus, come and admire Brittany as you have never seen it. The corsair city offers attractive places such as the ramparts and the Cathedral of Saint Vincent of Zaragoza. After that, go inside the ramparts, intramural.  Then, discover a remarkable phenomenon, which is experienced daily in Saint-Malo. The high tides are exceptional. The city is home to the highest tides in Europe. The spectacle of waves coming aground on the dike at the time of the open sea is striking. On the other hand, low tide gives way to large banks of sand and rock, completely changing the scenery. Not far away is an exceptional place, the famous Mont Saint-Michel.

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Skills management, the secret of happiness at work?

Why? First reason: half of the French surveyed consider that their company does nothing to help them feel good. They don’t have a policy in place to do that. And then they feel they lack attention and consideration from their hierarchy. They also consider that their boss does not care about their skills and training. And finally, they are not confident about their future within the company.

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What makes the French unhappy -or happy- in the office does not necessarily matter for employees of other origins. The study notes that the components of well-being at work vary across countries. But overall, the main reason given by those who are asked what makes them happy is that their company makes sure to develop their skills. It gives them opportunities to train, to embark on new challenges, to acquire new skills. In fact, they value the opportunities for internal evolution that these practices open to them.

The company has an interest in treating its seniors better

The second important criterion is end-of-career management. The better the company treats its seniors, the happier the employees are. And precisely, according to the French interviewed, France is fishing heavily on these issues of skills management and how to deal with seniors.

According to the study, Indians are the happiest at work nearly 9 out of 10, the unhappy Japanese only 4 out of 10 say they are satisfied. Mexico, the United States, Chile and Brazil are also at the top of the ranking. High-growth economies, much better positioned than mature economies like European countries. This is easily explained: wages change quickly, and are not terrorized by the idea of losing their job.

The first result of the consultation of nearly 15,000 workers in 15 countries around the world: employees worldwide are mostly happy at work, at 70%. But the French are below average, among the lowest in the ranking: only 67% of them say they feel good at the office.

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Rent and transportation

Studying in Paris requires an average budget slightly higher than in the provinces, mainly due to rent prices. Nevertheless, it should be noted that regardless of the French city, rent remains the highest expense item for students. According to a 2020 study by UNEF, studying in Paris would cost an average of €1,300 per month, which is substantially identical to other major French cities such as Lyon or Marseille. If you want to find rents at a better price, choose the Paris suburbs. Studying in Paris requires a slightly higher average budget than in the provinces, especially due to rent prices. Nevertheless, it should be noted that regardless of the French city, rent remains the highest expense item for students.

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 According to a 2020 study by the UNEF national union of students of France, studying in Paris would cost an average of €1,300 per month, which is substantially identical to other major French cities such as Lyon or Marseille. If you want to find rents at a better price, choose the Paris suburbs. It is cheaper and just as accessible thanks to the excellent Parisian public transport network. This is the right plan for students who want to save money!

Food costs

The food budget is to be taken into account when you arrive in a city, or even a country if you are a foreigner. The French spend on average 300 € on their food per month. However, this figure may vary depending on where you live, your diet and the brands. As an indication, the kilo of pasta costs 1.50 €, the baguette 1 € and coffee 2 €.

In addition, the University Restaurant has set up balanced meals at low prices, or 3.30 € for a starter, a main course and a dessert. Eating at the CROUS de Paris allows for a varied, balanced and good lunch at a very affordable price. You should also know that since the beginning of the 2021 school year, the CROUS has set up so-called “social” meals for €1 to meet the needs of the greatest number. The CROUS advocates a national equal opportunities policy, which is why all french and foreign Parisian students can benefit.

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