French Culture
Most people identify French culture with Paris, which serves as a hub for fashion, architecture, and art. However, outside of the main city, people typically live differently and in various parts of the country. According to anthropologist Cristina De Rossi, the word "culture" actually comes from France and is derived from the Latin word "Colere," which means "cultivation and nurturing" or, more precisely, "tending to the earth by ensuring growth." In addition to the Germanic and Frankish tribes, Gallo-Roman and Celtic cultures were historically influential on French society. Initially, France used to be defined as the western part of Germany referred to as Rhineland which later came to be known as the Gaul territory during the Roman period as well as the Iron Age(Detey 11).
Language in France
The official language used in communication in the country is French which is the first language learned by 88% of the total population as per the BBC records. It is viewed as a dominant verbal communication of over 70 million inhabitants in the country which has numerous variants mainly based on the region they come from. It is also the second most learned foreign language with approximately 120 million scholars as per the Foreign Affairs ministry in France. German dialects are also used in the country with close to 3% of the total population using the language especially the Flemish speakers who originate from the northeastern part of the country(Detey 23). Arab is considered the third biggest minority group in the country with Basque being spoken by people living in the French and Spanish border who also use French as their second language. There are other dialects that are used in the country which can be outlined as the Breton which refers to the language used in Celtics, the Catalan, the Occitan dialect as well as the Antillean Creole and Kabyle which are languages used by the former colonies of the French regime.
Religion in France
In France, a secular life of the citizens is highly observed through the virtual passed in 1789 that upholds the human rights of the French people with regards to religion. The Roman Catholic Church is a predominant religion in France with approximately 64% of the total population which makes 41.6 million who are identified as the followers of the religion(Weigert 27). Other religions in the country include the Buddhism, Islam and the Judaism with 33% of the population not being affiliated to any religious affiliation since the country is based on the principle of freedom in religious matters as outlined by Jules Ferry act. Protestants make about 8% while the Muslims take around 6% of total population in the country(Weigert 29). In France, it is a constitutional right to be affiliated to any religious background with the administration trying to make the country a completely secular state. The beginning of the 20th century was entailed by the conservative Catholic faith in the countryside which has adversely changed due to urbanization in these regions. However, in the 21st century, Catholicism and atheism have been very dominant with Islam being the third religion with many believers in the nation.
French Identity and Values
The French usually have great pride in their nation and can be offended by negative comments about their nation with visitors especially the Americans interpreting their approach to be rude towards the foreigners. The French hold on sophistication as well as the style which they take pride due to the fact that their civic spaces smack a ceremonial tone. This is as a result of culture becoming mind cultivation in terms of personal intellect, learning, knowledge, acceptable behaviors as well as creative faculties in the 16th century. In France, egalite which refers to equality is typically part of the country’s motto which is of great importance together with fraternity and liberty which are the other words found in the country’s motto(Weigert 45). The French exemplify passion and romance whereby there is an unwrapped attitude with regards to sex out of wedding locks. This is evident even with the top politicians in the country who have extramarital affairs that are never concealed. The nation’s secular scenery reflects that it is not common for children to be born to unmarried couples. The couples in France have an option to live in a situation with similar marital benefits that can be dissolved through a notice or marriage to someone else rather than undergoing divorce. Around two-thirds of the total population of couples lives in this system as per the Economist research.
Cuisine and Fashion
The central life entails wine and food in various social economic levels with much socializing witnessed in lengthy dinners held across the country. The traditional dish is usually referred to as coq au vin which is chicken prepared in burgundy wine, bottom mushrooms, lardons, garlic, and onions. French cooking is usually associated with heavy sauce as well as complicated preparations, despite the changes that have prevailed with time. Boeuf bourguignon is also another major food in France which comprise of beef stew braised in wine, broth as well as seasoned garlic, mushrooms, and onions(Ray 31). Fried potatoes typically known as French fries are not usually from the France but are from either Spain or Belgium. Thomas Jefferson invented the treat during his stay in France where he served as a minister thus bringing back the idea to the U.S.
Paris has been recognized as the destination to many fashion houses like the channel, Louis Vuitton, Dior and Hermes with many people in the country dressing in a fashionable, sophisticated and a professional manner. Classical outfits comprise of the dresses worn by women, suits, scarves, berets as well as the long courts. Fancier garments which are handmade are associated with haute couture that is allied to a French fashion. In the country, the word is usually protected by the state law since it is defined as the commerce chamber found in Paris as per a London based writer I fashion issues and officially known as Eva Domjian. There are several rules that must be considered when earning through the couture house right in advertising which includes the design ordered by private clients should have one or several fittings, an employer should have an atelier or a workshop which is located in Paris and employs more than 15 individuals. Finally, in the two seasons found in a year, the shop must present a specific collection to Paris press which is made up of 35 exits that have both the evening wear as well as the daytime outfits(Ray 39).
Art and Festivals
Art is also a prevailing feature in the French culture especially in the capital city together with other iconic cities with Gothic, Neoclassic and Romanesque Rococo influences being observed in various public buildings as well as religious places. The most recognized artist includes Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro in addition to Edgar Degas who have great influence in Paris since they initiated the movement impression. Louvre Museum located in Paris is amongst the world’s biggest libraries and is recognized for famous works of art like the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa.
In France, traditional Christian holidays such as Easter and Christmas are usually celebrated due to the fact that Christianity is a dominant religion. Labor Day is usually observed on the 1st of May while the 8th of the same month is usually observed since it marks the end of European hostility in the Second World War. On 14th July, Bastille Day is usually commemorated since, on this day, Bastille fortress located in Paris was attacked by revolutionaries who initiated the French revolution(Weigert 56). The modern-day France can be attributed to centuries of national reconstruction which incorporates the acquisitions of historical provinces as well as overseas colonies which are found in its geographical and opinionated structure. The regions have experienced evolution with specific linguistic and cultural practices in terms of fashion, religion, language accent as well as the family configuration. As a result, the country has experienced centralization in terms of political affiliations, media, and educational reproduction around Paris. Industrialization in the country has led to massive migration of people from the countryside into urban areas. By the end of the 19th century, most people in the country depended on land cultivation as a means of earning a living, unlike the present-day whereby around 6% are farmers with close to 73% living in towns(Weigert 63). This has led to the abandoning of French literature due to various provincial youths migrating to Paris and making changes in the political, social and cultural scenes.
Regional Differences and Family Structure
Regional identification is made through cultures allied to regional languages as well as the non-French traditions with the regions being promoted to have movements that call for some level of autonomy which occasionally result in national independence. In these regions, there are great differences in terms of socioeconomic status which differ from Paris and these provinces. In the country, deep France expressions referred to as France profonde is profoundly designated using the aspects of village life, provincial locations as well as the agricultural practice which has led to reduced domination in France. The expression has a pejorative meaning known as the desert French that describes a deficiency in acculturation in various provinces. Terroir is yet another expression initially used to refer to coffee or wine that denotes special features that geography presents in these products. It can be described as the logic of place that transpires certain qualities and the effects of the local surrounding towards the growth of the products thus the utilization of the term can refer to numerous cultural products(Ray 49). Apart from its metropolitan territory, France is made up of overseas departments which were its former colonies such as Guadeloupe, French Guiana, and Martinique in the Caribbean islands in addition to Reunion and Mayotte found in the Indian Ocean. These territories have regional councils which have powers similar to those in the metropolitan government in France.
Social Changes and Education
The basic unit of the French society is usually a family due to the growth of Catholic Church values as well as the rural communities which have evolved in the 20th century to form various regional models such as the extended and nuclear families. Marriages have significantly reduced in the country with divorce being on an increase with lawful family status evolving to portray various social alterations. Single parent relations have amplified to 7.4% from the initial 3.6% in the metropolitan composition of France with childless, unmarried and single men rising from 8.6% to 13% while single women stand at 18.6% from the former 16.5%(Ray 81). This indicates that among three dwellings in the country, one is occupied by a single person while on dwelling out of four shelters a childless couple.
The French parliament voted a controversial bill known as the civil pact of solidarity which allows the same-sex marriage as a way of life organization. This is a legal contract between individuals which has been stamped and undergone registration in the court of law. In 2013, same-sex matrimony was recognized legally and these played an important role in 2012 presidential election whereby Francois Hollande representing the left-wing party of socialist was elected for his support to the act(Detey 58). His government anticipated a marriage for all law in November which was passed into law on 2013 April through validations from the council of constitutional amendments with the first marriage taking place in Montpellier in May of the same year. Education in the country is highly centralized through its division into three stages namely the primary, secondary and the college level system. France has a mandatory military service for young men which aims at promoting a united national identity through regional isolation breakdown.
Work Cited
Detey, Sylvain. Varieties of Spoken French. Oxford University Press, 2016.
Ray, John A. French Studies: Literature, Culture and Politics. Diffusion hors France, Slatkine, 2014.
Weigert, Laura. French Visual Culture and the Making of Medieval Theater. Cambridge University Press, 2015.
