French lifestyle & traditions: What’s the culture like in France

Greetings & social situations

The French word for hello needs no introduction — a friendly bonjour is the perfect way to strike up a conversation with friends old and new. In casual chat, it’s often followed by ça va, a simple phrase that serves as both a question and an answer. The literal meaning is ‘it goes’ but the English equivalent is better translated as ‘how are you?’/‘I’m fine/OK’.

Greetings are accompanied by a handshake, especially if meeting someone for the first time or in a business context. French traditions around la bise, an air kiss against another cheek, change depending on where in the country you are. As a general rule, it’s two kisses - one for each side — but that can become four in parts of northern France or drop to just one in the east near the Belgian border.

Leisure Time

The French lifestyle is all about working to live rather than living to work: a 35-hour working week is standard with a lunch break that can last up to two hours. In the late afternoon/early evening, especially in summer, you’ll often find groups of friends enjoying an apéro, a pre-dinner drink. The climate allows for plenty of outdoor sports; after all the French are champions in a variety of disciplines from football to cycling, tennis and skiing.

Full-time workers accumulate 2.5 days of annual leave a month and holidays are often saved up for summer when much of the country can be divided into two categories: juilletiste and aoûtien, or people who travel in either July or August. Those who live in the north often head south to the country’s sunny Mediterranean coast. You’ll find campsites dotted across the country — camping is a French tradition!

Christmas & Holidays

There are 11 public holidays each year in France, and four of them fall in May alone! Secular holidays include Bastille Day, the national day, on July 14th and Armistice Day on November 11th. Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, All Saints Day and Christmas Day are other public holidays, although a French culture fact to remember is that neither Good Friday nor Boxing Day (December 26th) are public holidays.

Like elsewhere in Europe, it is a French tradition for families to come together on Christmas Eve for a special dinner called Le Révellion de Noël. On the menu, you’ll find smoked salmon, caviar, oysters, scallops, foie gras, and poultry such as Turkey. Traditional desserts include a Bûche de Noël, a chocolate cake shaped like a log. In the leadup to Christmas, many towns and cities come alight with festive lighting and the smell of mulled wine and gingerbread fills the air at Christmas markets which may last from one day to one month.

French Traditions

As you settle into life in France you’ll discover your own favourite French traditions — there are plenty to choose from. Some of the most popular celebrations include Fête de la Musique, held every year on the summer solstice (June 21st). Imagine one big street party that extends the breadth and width of the country, with musicians setting up on street corners and in village squares. May’s Fête des Voisins, or Neighbour’s Party, is another important tradition, especially in rural areas, a chance to get to know the people that live closest to you.

Another popular tradition which brings joy to cold winter days is the Galette de Rois (Cake of Kings) served on Epiphany (January 6th). Hidden inside this puff pastry tart filled with frangipane is a small charm, called a fève. Whoever finds it is crowned king or queen.

Food & Social Gatherings

Despite the stereotypes, you’re much more likely to find pizza and pasta on a menu in France than frogs legs and snails. The country that gave the world the Michelin Guide is no stranger to fine dining, but there’s also plenty of casual eateries. At lunch, the plat du jour, or dish of the day, is always a good bet. Different regions of France have their own robust food traditions which are a joy to discover. The country is also embracing vegetarian and vegan cuisine, although you’ll find more choice in larger urban centers than rural settings.

Food and drink shared with friends is to be savoured: people take their time eating and enjoying their food. An integral part of the French lifestyle, meals can often last late into the night. If you are invited to someone’s home, it is custom to bring a small gift - be it a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates.

Language

The official — and most widely spoken — language of France is French, however there are 82 languages of France according to the Ministry of Culture, the majority of these spoken in the country’s overseas territories. In mainland France, regional dialects such as Breton, Catalan and Niçois remain an important element of culture in France

It’s best not to assume everyone you meet has a grasp of English. A smile and an attempt to express yourself in French will garner a more receptive response. French language schools can be found across the country; there’s also the increasingly popular option of online tutoring.

Religion

The separation of church and state is one of the fundamentals of the French Republic and means that there is no state religion. Nearly half of the French population (48%) consider themselves to be Catholic, while 34% profess a belief in no religion. Like all modern nations, you’ll find places of worship for the main world religions.

Arts & Fashion

The home of art galleries and museums such as the Louvre and the Pompidou Centre, the importance of the arts in French cultural traditions needs little introduction. Home to some of the world’s greatest masterpieces, the country also boasts a celebrated cinematic and literary heritage — authors like Victor Hugo and Alexandre Dumas have become classics in all languages.

The birthplace of fashion houses such as Dior and Louis Vuitton as well as the headquarters for cosmetic companies and perfumeries (Grasse, on the French Riviera, is the perfume capital of the world), the French are admired around the world for their sophistication and sense of style.

Summary

Of course, there are lifestyle traditions distinct to individual regions of France. The culture in Paris, for instance, will have different aspects when compared to that of a smaller village in Provence. One of the best aspects of living in France is having the time to truly immerse yourself in the French lifestyle and discovering the many aspects that, combined, make experiencing the culture in France for yourself so rich and rewarding.

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