Facts about the French Culture

France has been the center of culture since the seventeenth century. It has been recognized for the resilience of its people and aesthetic sense in cinema, cuisine and of course, fashion. The influence of a number of socioeconomic differences and that of regional geography have survived military onslaught through its inherent unifying tendency. Facts about the culture of France highlight beliefs and values that have earned recognition via material arts and artifacts and interactions between communities.

Facts about the French Culture:

Cultural Identity: France is today the melting pot of diverse cultures. However, it still retains its own unique appeal when it comes to ethnicity, geography and the French language. The once segregated local customs arising out of regional differences have matured to become a cultural identity that is unique to the heterogeneity. The culture of France has been largely influenced by mandatory defense service, the Franco-Prussian feud and World War I and World War II. The two world wars were responsible for the influx of cultural influences and centralized market forces.

Today, the people of France symbolize collective identity. The culture is characteristic of 'chauvinism', a term widely used all over the orient and occident, integrated politics, universalism and the popular French grandeur. The latter offers a distinctive identity to the world of fashion and cuisine. Most modern French people prefer to relate to the term 'French' as a nationality and their language and not a measure of ethnicity, specific to the nation. Immigrants from Africa, Asia and other European countries had made France their home with diverse ethnic ascendancies, resulting in interracial relationships.

Customs and Traditions: The slight regional differences in modern France are displayed in colorful linguistic tradition, religious tolerance, fashion, family structure, industries and cuisine. This lap of the Renaissance is now distinct in social, cultural and political scene of belonging. The modern urbanization and mass media have engraved French culture in regional autonomy and the phrase 'la France profonde', which means 'heartland'. Traditions followed in the overseas and metropolitan departments are specific in culture and language. Their acceptance of lesbianism, homosexuality and gay marriages speaks volumes for the broad-mindedness of the French. In fact, Paris' mayor Bertrand Delanoë, makes no attempt to hid his gay identity.

The traditional family structure has evolved from the joint family to nuclear. The French culture has been promoted and supported via education and the economic government policies. Current cultural policies focus on the preservation of French food and language, as symbols of national identity. Secular and non-secular educational institutions organize education to cater to the independent intellectual and not a rote product. National museums exhibit architectural, theatrical and literary from the archives of 'maisons de culture'. France today, is committed to cultural democracy, and laws like the Toubon Laws preserve culture and language. Compulsory military service for young men has only just changed, in 1996.

Language and Religion: French movies, music and literature are vibrant and multicultural. The language follows a predetermined official 'originality' standard that may not be mandatory in application everywhere, but sure has enthusiastic advocates. French is widely spoken across the globe, inspite of repression of regional and foreign languages in certain countries. It is part and parcel of the education forum and a popular option in many bilingual educational institutions. As far as religion goes, France is secular and dedicatedly adheres to the principle of 'freedom of religion', a political dictate that was enshrined in the Declaration of the Rights of Man, 1789. A fine blend of followers of Catholicism, Protestants, Muslims, Jews and atheists live in France and add quality to the essence of French character.

Cuisine: Traditionally, French culture specifies on the importance of haute cuisine. Cheese and wine are vital components of French food. Entrées with preplated appeal, inclusive of croissants and fruit yogurt are distinctive to French meals. France produces some of the finest wines in the world. Bordeaux, Champagne and Bourgogne French wines are essential components of French culture.

Sport: The national sport of France is soccer, which is colloquially referred to as 'le foot'. The French also enjoy basketball, tennis and sailing. Tour de France is an annual cycling race held in France, while the Grand Slam French Open is the nation's tribute to another favorite sport – tennis. Grand Prix racing, fencing, Parkour and babyfoot are hugely promoted by the Ministry for Youth Affairs and Sports.

Fashion: Paris is the 'Fashion Capital of the World'. The presence of dedicated couturier houses, fashion shows and dedicated media like 'Elle' dominate the fashion industry. France's very own designers like Yves Saint Laurent, Claude Montana, Pierre Cardin, Sonia Rykiel, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Paco Rabanne and Christian Lacroix are world renowned fashion designers.

Art: The Lascaux cave paintings have made the little village by the same name, a tourist hot spot, to view the paintings that are more than 10,000 years old. French painters such as Nicolas Poussin, Claude Lorrain, Antoine Watteau and Jean-Honoré Fragonard have immortalized neoclassicism and subsequently, French culture. French music includes folk, Latin American, hip hop, rock and techno-funk genres.