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https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1OPRWS8EJkRTI64jmEAUhmRiMphAOWJt1L6tTgKrS560/edit?usp=sharing

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https://www.travelawaits.com/2560718/french-holidays-and-how-they-are-celebrated/

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When I decided to move to France for a year, I hadn't really thought about the French holidays and celebrations that would immerse me so completely in French culture. It has been a delight to experience a year of French celebrations, even during the coronavirus pandemic. The following public French holidays and celebrations are a few unique days worth marking on your calendar.

1. Epiphany

January 6

Epiphany, l'Epiphanie in French, is a Catholic holiday that commemorates the day the Three Kings arrived to see the infant Jesus. In France, this is celebrated with a special dessert, La Galette des Rois (Kings' Cake). The Galette des Rois, a round puff pastry filled with almond cream filling and a trinket, graces the shelves of every patisserie in January. And why are the Kings' Cakes sold with a golden paper crown perched on top? This 400-year-old French tradition has the youngest member of the family hide under the table as the hostess serves the slices of the Galette des Rois. Whoever receives the piece containing the hidden trinket becomes the King or Queen.

Pro Tip: The Galette des Rois are not sold containing the trinket. One can purchase a trinket or a bean, which is how the tradition started, to tuck inside the Galette des Rois.

2. Labor Day And May Day

May 1

May 1 is a public holiday in France and one of the few holidays when everything is closed. Grocery stores, restaurants, and museums are closed, and in smaller cities outside of Paris, even transportation does not run. The Eiffel Tower does remain open on May 1, as do the Seine River cruises, but I can only imagine how crowded they would be. Opt for a stroll by the Seine, a picnic in one of the lovely parks (buy your supplies the day before), or a walk through a cemetery.

Labor Day, La Fete du Travail, celebrated on May 1, is a day of action consisting of protests, marches, and demonstrations organized by trade unions. The French love their demonstrations, and this day is no different. Thousands of people gather and march together for workers' rights and other social issues.

The origins of France's Labor Day or "International Workers' Day" hails back to the Chicago strike of 1886, where thousands of workers protested for an 8-hour workday. Three years later, France started their own designated Labor Day.

Along with a day off amidst peaceful protests and demonstrations is the lovely tradition of giving lilies of the valley. La Fete du Muguet (pronounced "moo-gay") or the Lily of the Valley Celebration involves giving friends and loved ones sprigs, bouquets, or entire plants of lily of the valley as a gesture of good luck and happiness. The more of those darling little bell-shaped flowers on the plant is said to result in more luck. I swear on May 1, Paris is under the spell of the fresh scent of lily of the valley.

Flowers shops are bursting with lily of the valley, as are street corners and roadside stalls where independent vendors sell countless scented bouquets. This tradition dates back to May 1561, when Charles IX received a lily of the valley bouquet as a token of good luck. He loved the gesture, and every May 1 onward, he gave every woman in his court a sprig of lily of the valley.

Pro Tip: If you're in Paris on May 1 and want to see Parisians in action, head over to Place de la Republique, where demonstrations often start or finish.

3. VE (Victory In Europe) Day

May 8

Victory in Europe Day, La Fete de la Victoire, also known in France as Le Jour de la Liberation, celebrates the end of World War II and honors those who died. On May 7, 1945, in Reims, France, Germany signed an unconditional surrender of its armed forces to take effect the next day. Throughout France, May 8th is a public holiday where parades, flags, and laying of wreaths commemorates the soldiers lost and the victims of the Holocaust. In Paris, the President of the Republic lays a wreath on the unknown soldier's tomb at the Arc de Triomphe. This is followed by a military parade down the Champs Elysees.

Pro Tip: As this is a public holiday in France, many businesses and stores will be closed.

4. La Fete De La Musique

June 21

The Music Festival or La Fete de la Musique takes place every year on June 21, the summer solstice. All over the country, people are encouraged to play music in public places. I have celebrated La Fete de la Musique in small towns and cities in France and also in Paris. It is simply magical to turn a corner and find a group of people listening to a pianist, spectators clapping in time to a small band, and locals singing along to a popular song. The celebration lasts well into the night with dancing in the streets and strains of music heard everywhere.

Pro Tip: Try Google searching your location to find the more prominent bands participating and where exactly to find them. Part of the fun is also happening upon impromptu performances.

5. Bastille Day

July 14

Bastille Day commemorates the storming of the Bastille in the French revolution on July 14, 1789, and the beginning of democracy in France. If you are in France on July 14, don't expect to hear people talking about Bastille Day. Instead, tune into conversations about "Le Quatorze Juillet" or the 14th of July. This national holiday is also referred to as La Fete Nationale or French National Day. It is indeed just that and celebrated in grand style. In Paris, the military parade down the Champs Elysees toward the Place de la Concorde is the oldest such parade in the world and draws thousands of spectators. Other activities include firemen balls, where firefighters host parties in their station houses, free entry to museums, and musical performances in parks. The flyovers by military aircraft that streak the sky in red, white, and blue, the French flag colors, are impressive, as is the unforgettable fireworks display by the Eiffel Tower.

Pro Tip: If you are in Paris on July 14, plan your vantage points for the fireworks. Metro stations close to the fireworks will be closed, so plan on picking a viewing spot within walking distance of your hotel. Anywhere that you can see the Eiffel Tower clearly is a good spot to see the incredible fireworks. Expect crowds. And if you plan to be on the Champs de Mars (the expanse of lawn by the Eiffel Tower) you will need to stake out your spot early in the day.

6. European Heritage Days

Third Weekend In September

Every year on the third weekend in September, special monuments that are normally closed to the public are open and welcome visitors. Chateaux, private mansions, places of worship, and courthouses open their doors to the public. It is the perfect opportunity to get in behind closed doors, especially a location that holds a special interest or meaning to you. In Paris, for example, the Elysee Palace (home of the President), the Luxembourg Palace (Home of the French Senate), and the Grand Rex movie theatre open certain areas for the public to see.

Pro Tip: Do your research and decide on your top priorities. Be prepared to wait in line, but it will be well worth it.

7. All Saints' Day

November 1

All Saints' Day, known in France as La Toussaint, is a Catholic holiday honoring all saints. It is a public holiday in France and a chance for families to come together and honor their dearly departed. Families gather to clean and decorate tombs. The longstanding tradition is to place flowers, notably chrysanthemums, on the graves of loved ones. Chrysanthemums in France are only ever given in situations of grief and bereavement. Florist shops are overflowing with chrysanthemums at this time of the year, and sidewalk vendors also sell them just outside cemeteries.

In Paris, there is a steady stream of families at cemeteries, and the placement of hundreds of large pots of colorful chrysanthemums creates a stunning ambiance to commemorate the deceased. Wander through Pere Lachaise, Paris's largest and most well-known cemetery, on November 1 to witness this French tradition firsthand. Other cemeteries that are well worth visiting on Toussaint are Montparnasse, Montmartre, or Passy.

Pro Tip: As a foreigner in France, remember not to offer chrysanthemums as a gift to your hostess.

Related articles:

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7 French Holidays And How They Are Celebrated

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When I decided to move to France for a year, I hadn't really thought about the French holidays and celebrations that would immerse me so completely in French culture. It has been a delight to experience a year of French celebrations, even during the coronavirus pandemic.

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https://french-iceberg.com/sports-in-france/

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I decided to rank the ten most popular sports in France. I gathered the numbers of members on the official website in 2019 of every official sports federation and rounded the numbers. Just to give you an order, the French population is around 67 million inhabitants.

Let's start this list of the most popular sports in France!

1 - Football

2 200 000 members with 180 000 women members

Instead in the United States, Football (sorry I do not want to use the term soccer) is mostly a male sport, and not only in France. The last Women's World Cup in 2019 was hosted by France and the general public and the media were really into this competition. This event would help in the future to develop this sport in the women's section.

The national league in France is the Ligue 1 and it is considered the fifth position of the best European leagues. France won the first time the World Cup in 1998 against Brazil when the country hosts it.

They won the World Cup of 2018 in Russia against Croatia, twenty years later. In between those two victories, the France men's team lost the World Cup Final in 2006 against Italia. All the French will never forget the famous headbutt of the French player Zinédine Zidane against Materazzi. France also lost the Euro Cup in 2016 against Portugal and France was hosting the competition this year.

Sadly, the French football team went a second time in a row to the World Cup final in 2022 and lost by penalties against Argentina after over time (same as in 2006). If you want to learn more about soccer, read my articles about football in France:
Examples of French football players: Thierry Henry, Michel Platini, Zinédine Zidane, Kylian Mbappé, Patrick Vieira, and Hugo Lloris.
2 - Tennis

1 000 000 members

France hosts one of the major world tennis tournaments in Paris: Roland Garros. The last French winner was Yannick Noah in 1983, now he is a famous French singer. I don't know if one day a French will win it again and Facebook pages like "La Fédération de Loose" tease a lot of French tennis men and women about being bad.

For your information, the son of Yannick Noah plays in the NBA league: Joakim Noah. France has a lot of good tennis players but none of them are in the world's top 5 either men or women. France won the men's Davis Cup ten times and won it for the last time in 2017. The French women's team won the Fed cup in 2019.. not bad 🙂
Examples of French tennis players: Yannick Noah, Gaël Monfils, Amélie Mauresmo, and Wilfried Tsonga.
3 - Horse Riding

670 000 members

France is famous for horse breeding, especially in the state of Normandy and the area of the Forez. The country hosts some prestigious horse races like the Arcs de Triomphe in Paris on the racecourse of Longchamp or the race of the prize Jockey-Club that takes place in Chantilly.
Examples of French horsewomen and horsemen: Jacques Cariou (First Olympic Champion), Alexandra Ledermann, Hervé Godignon, Michel Robert, and Pierre Durand.
4 - Basketball

600 000 members

France is the foreign county with the highest number of players in the NBA league (in the NBA there are the United States and Canada). Unfortunately, in Europe, France does not have at least one team to compete in the EuroLeague.

On the other hand, the National team is a really competitive team. The last two big successes were winning against team USA in the World cup of 2019 in the quarter-final and during the group stage at the Olympic games 2022 in Tokyo.
Examples of French Basketball players: Tony Parker, Rudy Gobert, Boris Diaw, Evan Fournier, Frank Ntilikina, and much more.
5 - Judo-jujitsu

550 000 members

France had and has great sportsmen in this sport. David Douillet was one of the best in the heavy category (2-time Olympic champion / 4 times World champion / 1 time Europe champion).

Right now the French sportsman Teddy Riner is just impressive with all the sports titles that he won and might win in the future (2 times Olympic champion / 10 times world champion / 5 times Europe champion).

6 - Handball

510 000 members

Here we are talking about a sport in France where France is probably the best country for the last twenty years competing mostly with the Nordic European countries. This team is six times World champion, three-time Olympic champion, and three times Europe champion.

Before 1995, the national men's team did not win any trophies. The Women's national team won two times the World cup and one time the Europe cup.
Examples of French handball players: Didier Dinart, Thierry Omeyer, Nikola Karabatic, Jackson Richardson, and Jérôme Fernandez.
7 - Rugby

435 000 members

Rugby is mostly a sport in France popular amongst men. Compared to the other sports in France, rugby is located mostly in the south of France plus Paris. The French teams play in the league named Top 14 and they are amongst the best European teams and sometimes win the EuroCup, and the Hcup (ASM Clermont, Stade Toulousain, RCT Rugby Club Toulonnais).

About the national team, they are just unpredictable, they can beat the best rugby nations such as the All Blacks (New Zealand), and lose against weaker nations like Italia. The best performance of the French Rugby team reached three times the World Cup finals in 1987, 1999, and 2011.

Here is the quarter-final in 2007 against the All Blacks:

8 - Golf

410 000 members

Golf started in France in 1856 with the first golf course in the southwestern French city of Pau. Why Pau? There were many English people living there and they wanted to play golf.

For the first time in the Olympic games of 1900 in France, golf was an official competition. It took place at the golf course of Compiègne (close to the city of Paris). France had some great players such as Arnaud Massy, Jean Van de Velde, Grégory Bourdy, and Karine Icher.

9 - Canoë Kayak

380 000 members

Thanks to the expeditions to Canada with Jacques Cartier, canoes from Native Americans were imported to Europe. The recreational practice only was developed in Europe in the middle of the 19th century. France was the perfect spot for this sport to develop since the country has many rivers going through it and a lot of mountains like the Alps or the Pyrenees.

The best sportsman France had in this sport was Tony Estanguet, three times Olympic champion. He is now working on hosting the Olympic games of Paris 2024.

10 - Sailing

300 000 members

These sports in France appeared in the 19th century, with the influence of British and foreign practices. This sport also made its first appearance at the 1900 Olympic Games in France. Since 1908, the sail will not have stopped being part of the Olympic Games even if its program evolved much according to the popularity of the various boats.

Besides the Olympic games, some famous sail races start in France as la Route du Rhum or the Vendée Globe starting in Vendée (as its name says).
Examples of great French sailors: Éric Tabarly, Florence Arthaud, and Olivier de Kersauson.
I hope you liked discovering the popular sports in France and some fun facts about those sports. Speaking of fun facts I invite you to read my two articles:

Work cited:
https://tipsters.fr/5-plus-importantes-courses-hippiques-monde-38.html

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The 10 Most Popular Sports in France - French Iceberg

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I decided to rank the ten most popular sports in France. I gathered the numbers of members on the official website in 2019 of every official sports federation and rounded the numbers. Just to give you an order, the French population is around 67 million inhabitants.

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https://www.gouvernement.fr/en/news

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https://www.private-frenchlessons-paris.com/blog/frenchculture/2572-10-tips-french-etiquette

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French Lessons in Paris | French à la Carte © 2020

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10 Essential Tips On French Etiquette — French Lessons in Paris | French à la Carte © 2020

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French Etiquette- 10 Essential Tips  “ When in Rome, do as the Romans do ”, you may have heard this often without paying attention to this expression. In this age of globalisation, it is truer than ever. Living or travelling in France requires tact and adaptation to mann

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https://operavision.eu/en/library/stories/french-opera

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France's political and economic supremacy during most of the 19th century made Paris the magnet which attracted artists from all over Europe. The years of Napoléon favoured the Italians Luigi Cherubini, best known for his Medée, and Gaspare Spontini, for his La vestale. Foremost among native composers was Etienne Méhul, the first composer to be styled 'romantic'. Later, the leading Italians were lured to Paris by the challenge and rewards of creating French Grand Opera.

La muette de Portici by Daniel-François Auber, a story of revolution in Naples culminating in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, was the first 'grand opera' in 1828. It is famous for having sparked the real Belgian revolution when performed in Brussels in 1830. It was also the first text for the Paris Opera by Eugène Scribe, who patented the five-act model over the next 35 years. He wrote the text for Fromental Halévy's La Juive of 1835, but his principal client was the German-born, Italian-educated Giacomo Meyerbeer, whose grandiose works include Robert le diable, Les Huguenots, Le prophète and L'africaine.

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France's political and economic supremacy during most of the 19th century made Paris the magnet which attracted artists from all over Europe. The years of Napoléon favoured the Italians Luigi Cherubini, best known for his Medée, and Gaspare Spontini, for his La vestale. Foremost among native composers was Etienne Méhul, the first composer to be styled 'romantic'.

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https://www.history.com/topics/france

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France, a large European nation with a diverse population, has a rich and fascinating history, including figures such as Napoleon Bonaparte, Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette, and epic events like the French Revolution.

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https://www.expatica.com/fr/lifestyle/holidays/top-french-festivals-444873/

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From history to fantasy, and everything in between, there are plenty of French festivals in 2023 to help you experience the country's vibrant culture.

Whether you call France home or are just visiting, going to festivals is a great way to immerse yourself in French culture. Luckily, there are plenty of spectacular French festivals to choose from throughout the year. These celebrate everything from kites and lemons to dragons and opera. So if you're looking for a fun culture fix, mark your diaries for these epic events.

Berck-sur-Mer Kite Festival

Giant pigs actually might fly at the Berck-sur-Mer International Kite Festival. For over two decades, more than half a million spectators have come to watch the spectacular display of kites fly over the seaside town of Berck-sur-Mer. Taking place every March or April, the festival sees giant dragons, whales, octopuses, and various cartoon characters take to the skies over the sandy beach. The festival also plays host to the International Kite Championships of the World every two years. During this time, experts from all over the world compete against the wind - and each other.

There is plenty of room up on the sand dunes to get a good view of the spectacle. There are also plenty of activities and entertainment to keep children of ages happy. They can learn how to make and fly kites or shop for their very own kite among the many stalls. Make sure to stick around for the last evening of the festival. This is when a night-time flying display and fireworks show bring the majestic event to a close.

Menton Lemon Festival

Held over two weeks in February, the Fête du Citron (Lemon Festival) celebrates all things citrus in the city of Menton. More than 200,000 visitors come to marvel at the colorful floats and sculptures created from lemons and oranges. During the daytime, parades of fruit-covered floats make their way through the streets as wind musicians, acrobats, and drummers entertain the crowds. And come nightfall, 10-meter-high whimsical statues and models made from citrus fill the picturesque Biovès Gardens.

More than 300 professionals come together to create the displays which are made from 145 tons of citrus. The quirky festival celebrates Menton's annual production of specialty lemons and other citrus fruit. Therefore, you will find various jams, soaps, and perfumes on sale at the Crafts Fair; all made from local lemons and oranges, of course. You can treat yourself to a glass of delicious fresh lemonade or even buy your own lemon tree. Needless to say, the air smells incredible during this zesty event.

Cannes Film Festival

Film buffs will no doubt want to head to the world's most famous movie festival, the Cannes Film Festival. The red-carpet event was created by a French Minister of Education and Fine Arts. He wanted to establish an international cultural event in France to rival the Venice Film Festival. And it's safe to say, he succeeded. More than 30,000 professionals from all over the world attend the annual festival.

This includes numerous actors and directors who come to showcase their newest releases. They also hope to compete for the prestigious Palme d'Or (Golden Palm) award. The festival is as much a social event as it is a professional one. So while most screenings are invitation-only, there are still plenty of opportunities to spot your favorite A-list celebrities. A huge open-air cinema, the Cinéma de la Plage, also screens Cannes classics on the beach. You can buy tickets from the Cannes Tourist office.

Nice Carnival

Taking place every February, the famous Nice Carnival is one of the largest carnivals in the world; alongside those in Brazil, Venice, and Mardi Gras in New Orleans. It is also the most important event on the French Riviera. Over a million people from all over take to the street of Nice during the day and night. They come to marvel at the flamboyant floats, colorful costumes, and stunning parades; all the while soaking up the buzzing Carnival atmosphere. More than 1,000 dancers and musicians from around the world perform at the magnificent carnival.

Each year, a special theme is chosen, and artists create a series of floats and other figurines in papier-mâché for the colorful parade. Come nightfall, the floats are illuminated for the enchanting Parade of Lights. A vibrant Flower Parade also takes place each year. This is when extravagantly dressed characters throw 100,000 flowers into the crowd along the Promenade des Anglais. Clouds of confetti and silly string also fill the air in the excitement.

Festival Medieval de Sedan

For an unforgettable slice of Medieval France, head to the Sedan Medieval Festival in May. Held at the largest medieval castle in Europe, the Château de Sedan, the festival brings the spirit of the Middle Ages alive. Thrilling jousting tournaments, overflowing banquets, and atmospheric parades take place around the castle grounds. Around 15,000 people come to explore the castle. Spread over seven floors across 35 square meters, there is certainly plenty to spark the imagination. Just be prepared to climb a lot of stairs!

Meanwhile, in the castle grounds and on the city streets, guests can enjoy a wide variety of entertainment. This includes a glorious procession of knights, nail-biting sword fights and wrestling matches, falconry shows, and flag-throwing competitions. Visitors can also browse hundreds of stalls at the sprawling medieval market and pick up all sorts of hand-made souvenirs. Some of the festival highlights include a parade by torchlight across the castle grounds and a dragon-sleighing performance with real fire-breathing. With so much entertainment on offer, this is definitely one of the most popular French festivals among families.

Bastille Day

Celebrated nationwide on 14 July, Bastille Day is the biggest and most important festival in the French calendar. It commemorates the day that Parisian commoners and peasants stormed the fortress and prison of Bastille. This provoked events that would end the monarchy and usher in the age of liberty, fraternity, and equality. Celebrations are held all over France, including large-scale public events and parties.

The best place to be, however, is in Paris. Here, celebrations start on the night of 13 July when many fire stations throw all-night parties. On Bastille Day itself, a huge parade and various free concerts take place around the city. Come nightfall, some of the best fireworksyou will ever see light up the sky over the Eiffel Tower. For the best atmosphere and view of the display, go early to the Trocadéro gardens, the Parc de Belleville, or the Champ de Mars. For a bird's eye view, the Sacré Cœur or Montparnasse Tower are unbeatable.

La Fête de la Musique

There's music in the air throughout France on 21 June, the day of the summer solstice. This is when La Fête de la Musique (Music Day) takes part, celebrating the diversity and scope of musical practices in all its different genres. The first all-day musical celebration was first held in Paris in 1982 but later became celebrated in 120 countries around the world. During the festival, thousands of musicians gather in the streets, bars, and cafés giving free public performances. They play everything from rock and jazz to hip-hop and electronic music.

Meanwhile, citizens are allowed and even urged to play music outside in their neighborhoods or in public spaces and parks. The festival aims to make music accessible to the public and familiarize young and old from all social backgrounds with all musical expressions. Those who can play an instrument or sing are also encouraged to get involved. So if you happen to have a saxophone or guitar lying around, you're more than welcome.

Festival d'Avignon

Another fantastic French festival not to miss is the Festival d'Avignon. The annual theater festival is held in July in the courtyard of the Palais des Papes in Avignon. During this time, Avignon transforms its architectural heritage into various majestic performance venues. Tens of thousands of theater lovers of all ages come to enjoy theatre, dance, visual arts, and live music. The town also becomes an open-air forum where festival-goers can talk about the shows and share their experiences.

Every evening, there is at least one show première, making Avignon the place to be artists and spectators alike. Alongside the official festival, which is referred to as the "In" one, a number of shows are presented in Avignon at the same time; known as the "Off". These are organized by a non-profit organization composed mostly of theatre companies. The performances take place in theaters schools, on the streets, and in other suitable venues. Needless to say, if you love theater, this is one French festival not to miss.

Chorégies d'Orange

Dating back to 1869, the Chorégies d'Orange is the oldest festival in France and the place to be if you love opera and classical music. It takes place every August in a beautifully preserved Roman Theatre in Orange. Almost 9,000 spectators come to lap up the incredible historic atmosphere of the ancient theater. They also get to enjoy the exceptional natural acoustics, created by the theater's original stone stage wall.

With its semi-circular tiered stone seating, the Roman theater is undoubtedly one of the best settings in the world in which to enjoy al fresco opera. Every year, the festival puts on a program of well- and lesser-known productions starring international opera stars. All the major players of the French classical stage have appeared in the Orange festivals over the years. But even if you're not a huge opera fan, it's an experience not to be missed.

Festival of Lights, Lyon

For four days in December, the city of Lyon comes aglow during the Festival of Lights, which pays homage to the Virgin Mary. Thousands of flickering candles can be seen in windows and on balconies, creating a beautiful and magical atmosphere. Meanwhile, the city's buildings and bridges come aglow with multi-colored lights. Various light installations created by artists from all over the world also help to light up Lyon.

Other activities based on light usually take place over the four days, too. The festival's highlight, however, is the lighting up of the Basilica of Fourvière in different colors. The evening light show at the Place des Terreaux is also not to be missed. If you decide to visit, just be prepared for the crowds, as it is said that up to four million people attend over the four days.

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The best French festivals you don't want to miss

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From history to fantasy, and everything in between, there are plenty of French festivals in 2023 to help you experience the country's vibrant culture. Whether you call France home or are just visiting, going to festivals is a great way to immerse yourself in French culture.

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https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/french-culture/french-culture-religion

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France maintains a strict tradition of secularism and has not officially collected data on religious affiliation since the 1972 national census. In turn, discussing the religious composition of French society can be quite complicated. It is estimated that 63-66% of the population identify as Catholic, 7-9% identify as Muslim, 0.5-0.75% identify as Jewish, 0.5-0.75% identify as Buddhist and 0.5-1% identify with some other religion. A further 23-28% of the population is believed to be unaffiliated with any religion.

The concept of laїcité is considered by many to be an essential part of what it means to be a French citizen. According to the opening paragraph of the French Constitution (1958), "France shall be an indivisible, , and social Republic" (" La France est une République indivisible, laïque, démocratique et sociale"). The word ' laïque' is often translated into English as ''; however, this does not convey the same sense of the word. Laїcité (secularism) may be defined as the complete isolation and separation of religious spheres from public spheres. This means that, in theory, there is an absence of religious involvement in government affairs and vice versa. For example, it would be considered a serious error for a teacher to discuss religion in a public school.

Laїcité captures the common attitude of the French state and the French people towards religion. For example, many believe that there ought to be a complete division between a citizen's public life and their private religious practice. Although the underlying aim of laїcité is to promote freedom of thought and religious expression, in some cases it prevents the free practice of religion. In 2004, a ban was placed on all conspicuous religious symbols in public schools, effectively banning the wearing of hijabs, kippas (skullcaps) and crucifixes (among other conspicuous religious wear). The ban caused some to interpret this as an interference by the government in the religious life of citizens.

The topic of laїcité is debated throughout the country. Many are calling for a revision of the approach to laїcité as French society becomes more and multi-religious. Indeed, there are many who believe religion is a holistic way of living rather than a distinct aspect separate from other parts of one's life. In this sense, some argue that France is a state but not necessarily a society, whereby some members believe religion is not separate from public affairs.
Catholicism in France
Catholicism was once the state religion of France and continues to be the primary religion in French society. Throughout most of the country, communities began as parishes. Today, many rural villages see the local church building as a symbol of local identity. Catholicism continues to play a notable role in French society. The church bell rings to mark deaths and weddings. Many people have their infants baptised and most private education in France is Roman Catholic.

Many Catholics feel as though the church helps uphold traditional family values, authority and a sense of moral order in society. However, given the prevalence of laїcité in French society, many prefer to practise their religious faith outside of religious institutions. Only a minority of those who identify as Catholic regularly attend and participate in communal religious worship.
Islam in France
Islam is thought to be the second largest religion in France, following Catholicism. The greatest number of Muslims immigrated to France in the 1950s to 1960s during the decolonisation period. Many of these migrants came from the Maghreb (northwest Africa) - namely Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. Today, France has one of the largest Muslim populations in the European Union. For those who migrated to France, many feel as though the religion is a part of their culture. Indeed, many of the younger generation of Muslims often embrace Islam as a cultural identity.
Judaism in France
France also has the largest Jewish community in the European Union. The events of World War II had a significant impact on the Jewish community in France. It took numerous decades for the country to recover. In contemporary France, the Jewish community continues to pay homage to their spiritual and religious heritage through passing on traditions and knowledge from generation to generation within their family.

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France maintains a strict tradition of secularism and has not officially collected data on religious affiliation since the 1972 national census. In turn, discussing the religious composition of French society can be quite complicated. It is estimated that 63-66% of the population identify as Catholic, 7-9% identify as Muslim, 0.5-0.75% identify as Jewish, 0.5-0.75% identify as Buddhist and 0.5-1% identify with some other religion.

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https://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/france-population

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According to current projections, France 's population is expected to reach its peak at 67.68 million people in 2045, after which it will decline slowly back down to 65.55 million people by the end of the century.

In the past ten years, France's population growth rate has decreased significantly to 0.22%. This growth will become even smaller in the coming years until 2045 when population growth becomes negative.

France was once the most fertile country in the European Union; however, its rates are beginning to change. France's birth rate is 11.2 births per 1,000 people and its death rate is 9.1 deaths per 1,000 people. The fertility rate is 1.850 births per woman, which has been declining in recent years.

France Population Growth

The figures reported in 2011 confirmed that France as a whole was growing at a faster rate than most other countries across the globe. In fact, its natural growth, which excludes any immigration figures, accounted for nearly the whole of the natural growth recorded in the European Union in 2003.

The birth rate exceeded the death rate by a considerable amount -- 302,432 in 2006 which was the highest recorded figure since 1973. Further contrasts in the rates led to the final figures declared in the 2011 census. The country also has the second highest number of children per family in Europe; 2.01 when the last figures were announced.

France Population Projections

Metropolitan France is expected to see its population grow by another 9 million people over the next 40 years, placing the country's population around 72 million by 2050. To reach this projection, fertility rates will need to stay about the same, mortality will need to decrease, and net migration will need to remain about 100,000 annually.

With its population growing despite decreases in many of its neighboring countries, France is finally back in the race to be the most populous country in Europe. By 2050, it's expected that Germany will have just 70-74 million (compared to 2012's 82 million), while Britain's population will be about 73 million, compared to today's 63 million.

The current population of France is 64,709,018 based on projections of the latest United Nations data. The UN estimates the July 1, 2023 population at 64,756,584.

France Growth Rate

France Population 2023 (Live)

France Population by Year (Projections)

France Population Pyramid 2023

France Population by Age

There are people over age 18 in France.

Census Years

France Population Pyramid

France also has many territories, including Clipperton Island, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre, Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, and others.

France Demographics

A law from 1872 prohibits the French Republic from conducting a census by making any official distinction between its citizens in terms of race or religious beliefs, so French demographics can be a bit hard to determine. In 2004, it was estimated that 85% of the population of Metropolitan France was white or of European origin, with 10% from North Africa, 3.5% Black and 1.5% Asian.

This law does not apply to surveys or polls, and a marketing company called Solis estimated numbers of ethnic minorities in 2009 as 5.23% Maghrebis, 2.94% black (a majority from Sub-Saharan Africa) and 0.71% Turkish.

In 2010, 27% of newborns in Metro France had at least a single foreign-born parent. Most French people today are of Celtic origin. The country has experienced large-scale immigration over the last 100 years. It's believed that 40% of France's population is descended, at least in part, from the waves of immigration since the start of the 20th century.

In addition, surveys or polls have been used to determine an estimated 63-66% affiliation in Christian based faiths, a 7-9% affiliation with Muslim faiths, a .5-.75% affiliation with Buddhist faiths, .5-.75% affiliation with Jewish faiths, .5-1% affiliation with other faiths, and 23-28% no affiliation or preference to any faith based on 2015 compiled estimates from the World Factbook.

France Religion, Economy and Politics

France is one of the least religious countries in the world. According to a 2016 survey from Institut Montaigne, 39.6% claimed no religion. Slightly more than half (51.1%) identify as Christian, 5.6% identify as Muslim, and under 1% (0.8%) are Jewish.

When we compare these numbers to 1986, a few trends become apparent. The percentage of French people identifying as non-religious has exploded in the past 30 years, from 15.5% to nearly 40% today. The other trend is the increasing Muslim population in France. According to a Pew Research Study of Islam in Europe, an estimated 8.8% of the French population is Muslim. This is higher than the estimate from Institut Montaigne, and would be the highest percentage in Europe. The Muslim population is expected to continue its growth in France due to migration, conversion, and high rates of natural increase. Immigration has become an important political issue in France, and this will likely continue moving forward.

Like many of its neighbors, France represents a huge attraction for immigration and when statistics were released in 2008, it was reported that 11.8 million foreign-born immigrants and their immediate descendants were residents in the country; a figure which accounted for around 19% of the total population of the time.

Exact figures in relation to this are slightly hampered by the fact that it is illegal for the French state as an entity to compile statistics when it comes to race and ethnicity. Data in relation to this is therefore supplied by independent agencies such as INED and INSEE.

What is clear however is that France's population is growing quite significantly. The large discrepancy in the birth and death rate shows no signs of narrowing and as such, it will be fascinating to see the results from the next national census.

France Population History

During the Middle Ages, France was home to a quarter of the entire European population. This changed in the later centuries, more because of the growth of surrounding nations than a population decline in France. By the 1700s, France was home to 20% of European people, and by the 20th century, they were overtaken by other countries like Germany and Russia. The French population increased significantly during the baby boom following World War II and has experienced fairly steady growth in the years since.

France Area and Population Density

France has an estimated 2016 metro population of 64,750,000, which does not include overseas territories. Combined, the territories add an additional 2 million people. Metropolitan France has a population density of 117.37 people per square kilometer, which ranks 95th in the world.

Largest Cities in France

Paris is the largest city and capital of France. The City of Paris has just 40 square miles of land with a population of 2.24 million in the city limits, and the most populous urban area in all of the European Union. The city proper has a density of over 21,000 people per square kilometer. The much larger Paris Region, with 4,638 square miles of land, has its own president and regional council with a population of 12 million. This accounts for 18% of France's total population.

For a country of such size, it is surprising that there is only one city proper with a population exceeding 1 million. The largest cities in France include:

Paris (2.2 million) The wider Paris urban area had a population of over 12.1 million in 2013.

Marseille (853,000) While it's the second largest city in France, it has the third largest urban and metropolitan area with a population of 1.6 million.

Lyon (484,000) Including suburbs and satellite towns, Lyon is the most populous area of France with a population of 1.7 million.

Toulouse (449,000) This is the fourth largest metropolitan area of France with a population of 1.2 million.

France Population Density Map

France Population by Year (Historical)

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According to current projections, France 's population is expected to reach its peak at 67.68 million people in 2045, after which it will decline slowly back down to 65.55 million people by the end of the century. In the past ten years, France's population growth rate has decreased significantly to 0.22%.

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https://www.ohio.edu/chastain/ip/popcultf.htm

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Table of Contributors Table of Contents Return to Encyclopedia Home Page France: Popular Culture, Caricature, Festivity Popular culture, caricature, and festivity became more intimately involved in the revolutionary process in 1848 than during 1789 or 1830. A generation of historians has validated Maurice Agulhon's statement that "folklore was ...

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How France Celebrates Int. Women's Day - Photos

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How France Celebrates Int. Women's Day - Photos

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https://www.vogue.com/article/international-womens-day-paris-march-photos

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International Women's Day was celebrated around the world on Monday, March 8, and in Paris, the occasion was marked with a march protesting sexism and sexual violence. France has a long history of feminist action, from the Women's March on Versailles in 1789 to the " Manifesto of the 343" written in 1971 by 343 women who had had abortions, and Monday's proceedings were part of that proud tradition; this time, photographer Acielle was on hand to capture the action.

"I felt an overwhelming sense of unity," Acielle said of the event, calling it "a celebration of all women in all ways with lots of chants standing up for empowerment and full social, economic, and political equality for women." Being out in the world as more and more people get vaccinated reminded Acielle of "how different everything used to be, but at the same time, it made me hopeful and longing for a post-pandemic future where we can fully celebrate life again." Check out her view of Monday's march below:

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"An Overwhelming Sense of Unity": How Paris Celebrated International Women's Day

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International Women's Day was celebrated around the world on Monday, March 8, and in Paris, the occasion was marked with a march protesting sexism and sexual violence.

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https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/g35688062/best-french-movies/

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https://www.livescience.com/39149-french-culture.html

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French culture, from art and fashion to food and language, is one of the most influential in the world today

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Hofstede’s Cultural “Scores” for France 

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Hofstede’s Cultural “Scores” for France 

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–

Power distance: 68

Individualism: 71

Masculinity: 43

Uncertainty avoidance: 86

Long term orientation: 63

Indulgence: 48
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https://snippetsofparis.com/french-celebrities/

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Does news travel across oceans? You bet it does, sometimes with a charming French accent and sometimes not. Can you spot your local French celebrities?

The French are renowned for their culture and artistry, and are gaining a reputation worldwide for their passion for music and cinema. The country is home to some of the world's greatest actors and singers, as well as some of the world's most celebrated sports superstars. From fashion to language, the French influence is felt everywhere.

Brigitte Barbot and Marion Cotillard may be household names, and I know I've seen both Kylian Mbappé (footballer) and Gerrard Depardieu (actor) on American TV. But there some of these you may have to think about a bit.

Now, there are a lot of retired French actors, footballers, and politicians who are still household names and instantly recognizable to French people.

However, in the interest of keeping things brief and useful, I've only listed current French celebrities who are relatively active and regularly in the news today.

I. Actors & Actresses

Here are hottest actors and actresses of today, who have already transitioned from French films and tv shows, to anglophone audiences.

1. Omar Sy

Already well known on the French screen for roles like The Intouchables, his Netflix hit Arsene Lupin has made him even more famous.

The 4th of 8 children, Sy is the son of West African immigrants, growing up in the Parisian suburb of Yvelines. His other English roles include:

With plenty of charm and smooth acting, it is clear that Omar Sy is just getting started.

2. Marion Cotillard

Having played characters like Edith Piaf and Joan of Arc, Cotillard has more than proved her acting chops.

She has one several awards, including an Academy Award for Best Actress, a Golden Globe Award, a BAFTA Award, two César Awards, and many more.

Her biggest films in English include:

She is married to Guillaume Canet who is also a famous French actor, with whom she has 2 children.

3. Vincent Cassel

Vincent Cassel usually plays the bad guy in front of English-speaking audiences.

His most famous movies include:

Born in Paris to a dad who was an actor and mom as journalist, his sister is also an actress, while his brother is a rapper. Oh, and he used to be married to Italian actress Monica Bellucci, with whom he has 2 children.

4. Léa Seydoux

Léa Seydoux may only be in her mid-30s, but she has been a part of French cinema for a long time.

One of seven children, her mother was an actress and the Séydoux family is considered cinematic royalty as movie and film company producers.

However, she proved her talent on her own, winning several awards including the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival for her role as a lesbian art student in the critically acclaimed film Blue Is the Warmest Colour.

Seydoux has appeared in major Hollywood films including:

Inglorious Bastards with Brad Pitt

Robin Hood with Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchette

Midnight in Paris directed by Woody Allen

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol with Tom Cruise

5. Melanie Laurent

Melanie Laurent was introduced to acting at the age of sixteen by legendary French actor Gérard Depardieu, who cast her in a small role in the romantic drama The Bridge (1999).

She went to star in many more films, picking up several Césars (the French version of the Oscars) along the way.

Her most famous English films include:

Inglorious Bastards with Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard

Beginners with Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer

Night Train to Lisbon with Jeremy Irons

Now You See Me with Mark Ruffalo

6. Luc Besson

Alright, Luc Besson is not an actor, but a director, and a very famous one in French cinema. As writer, director, or producer, Besson has so far been involved in the creation of more than 50 films. Currently on this 4th wife, the director has 5 children and a closet full of awards.

His most famous movies include:

Taken series with Liam Neeson

Lucy with Scarlet Johansson

The Lady with Michelle Yeoh in a biography of Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi

The Family with Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Tommy Lee Jones

II. Musicians

Music makes the world go around. So we had to include the top French musicians and celebrities of today that that are on everyone's playlist.

1. Stromae

Stromae is Belgian, not French, it is close enough. A singer, rapper, and songwriter, his French hits are impossible to put into a particular category.

The repetitive refrains of the minimalist Alors en dance were a club massive hit, following up with Papaoutai and many other hits.

2. Maître Gims

Maître Gims, which translates to "Master Gims", is the French musician who is everywhere.

The Congolese singer, rapper, and composer may sing in his native French but he is so popular he has transcended the barriers of language to collaborate Sia, Pitbull, and Lil Wayne among others.

3. Vanessa Paradis

Vanessa Paradis may be Johnny Depp's ex, but she has been a big star in France in her own right for decades.

Her 1991 French hit "" propelled her to international fame at the age of 14, and she has been a staple on the French charts ever since.

With a chevalier de legion d'honneur in hand from the Government of France and awards for acting and singing, Paradis is still a household name.

4. Julien Doré

Julien Doré's breakthrough came as the winner of Nouvelle Star (the French version of American Idol) that he auditioned for on a lark, to get exposure for his band.

After winning, a duet with Coeur de Pirate in Pour un infidéle hit the top of the pop charts and he has remained one of the top interesting French musicians ever since.

5. Coeur de Pirate

With her first album Comme des enfants at the age of 18, Quebeçoise Béatrice Martin aka Coeur de Pirate found success early as a teen pop sensation.

Throwing off the stereotypes, she remade herself with creative and softly sung ballades, like Somnambule, Pour une infidéle with Julien Doré and Renaud's Mistral Gagnant.

You can find more famous French musicians and the top songs that changed French culture here.

III. Footballers

There are many popular sports in France, but nothing that quite captures the imagination like football (aka soccer to North Americans). With France having the won or being finalists in the World Cup and European Championships several times over the past 20 years, fans in France have been spoilt. Even the most casual of fans can pick their favorite French footballer.

1. Kylian Mbappé

National team forward Kylian Mbappé is the current and star of French football.

Not even 25 yet, he has a closet full of trophies, from the 2018 World cup to several Ligue 1 titles with Paris Saint-Germain. He is so good, he even has the grudging respect of hated rival Olympique de Marseille fans.

2. Paul Pogba

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba may have an up-and-down relationship with ManU fans, but he is a firm favorite with French fans.

Having also played for Juventus in Italy, Pogba is multilingual, speaking his native French, as well as being fluent in English, Italian and Spanish.

Known as a playmaker and attacking midfielder, ManU paid a transfer fee of €105 million ($123 million) for him in 2016, which at the time was the highest paid by an English club. He was also part of the 2018 World Cup winning team.

3. Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema might be the superstar forward for Real Madrid but he was kicked off the French national team because of a rather bizarre blackmail scandal involving photos of a teammate and his wife.

The court cases are still ongoing with no conclusive evidence and accusations of racism flying.

Unfortunately due to the drama, Benzema missed out on his chance of winning the 2018 World Cup with France although he was recalled to the French team in 2021. (He is the only player on this list who does not have a French Legion d'honneur given by the French President.)

4. Antoine Greizmann

French forward Antoine Greizman has his good days and his bad days. He used to play for Spanish side Athlético Madrid, before moving to powerhouse Barcelona in 2019.

With a rather rocky start with his Barcelona fans, it has not always been all fun and games.

Nevertheless, he is a stalwart of the French national side, winning the 2018 World Cup with France, and was the French golden boy before Mbappé (8 years his junior) came along.

5. Zinadine Zidane

At nearly 50 years old, Zidane is no longer an active player, but still one that captures the French imagination.

As a player, he has won the Ballon d'Or, 1998 World Cup, European Cup, and too many other trophies and personal accolades to count.

As the coach of Real Madrid, he won 3 Champions Leagues back to back, as well a La Liga and other titles. Known for his fiery temperament (and a rather famous head-butt), Zizou remains the coach that all young French footballers like Pogba and Mbappé want to play for.

IV. Fashion Designers

1. Isabel Marant

Isabel Marant is a French fashion designer and owner of the eponymous fashion brand, which was launched in 1994. Since then she has won several awards including the Award de la Mode (1997) and Fashion Designer of the Year at British Glamour's Women of the Year Awards (2012).

Known for her quintessential French girl style, as in "done but not overdone", her style i a blend of bohemia and street chic, mixed together effortlessly.

2. Jean Paul Gaultier

When a Jean Paul Gaultier broke out into the fashion scene he was described as an " enfant terrible ". His style is rather unconventional, attracting the attention of many a Hollywood celebrity and musician. (Madonna's infamous cone bra was his creation.)

Gaultier founded his eponymous fashion label in 1982, but moved it toFrench luxury house Hermès from 2003 to 2010. He is now back on his own, producing haute couture, fragrances, and putting on shows.

3. Christian Louboutin

When you think of shoes to go with that haute couture outfit, it has be a pair of Louboutins. Named after French designer Christian Louboutin, his signature red-bottom shoes are instantly recognizable.

Louboutin was born in Paris, and was the black sheep of his family, being kicked out of school 3 times. He soon found his path though, sketching shoes and eventually founding his label in 1991. These days his brand designs everything from shoes and purses, to wallets, cosmetics, and fragrances.

4. Hedi Slimane

The head fashion designer of Céline, this French luxury leather fashion house seems safe in Hedi Slimane's hands. Céline is part of the LVMH empire, and Slimane is regularly considered one of most influential personalities in fashion.

Born in Paris, he was previously the creative director for Dior Homme (the menswear line of Christian Dior) and later for Yves Saint Laurent.

5. Virginie Viard

Virginie Viard, the head designer at fashion powerhouse Chanel, might not be as famous as her predecessor Karl Lagerfeld.

Coco Chanel (credit: Wikipedia)

She has however been at Chanel for over 30 years, developing a close professional relationship with Lagerfeld and becoming his right-hand woman.

She took over at Chanel after Lagerfeld's death in 2019, overseeing their haute couture, ready-to-wear, and accessories collections. Viard is the first female designer of Chanel, after Coco Chanel herself. You can read more about French styling with tips here.

V. Politicians

French politicians are not traditional celebrities, but in a country where philosophy is taught in school and the talking heads are regularly on tv, these are the names you need to know.

1. Emmanuel Macron

The current President of France is a 40-something former investment banker who is good-looking enough to be an actor.

With a talent and the luck of being in the right place at the right time, he was elected in 2017 with 66% of the vote in the final round against Marine Le Pen. (The 66% is not an indication of his popularity, see Marine Le Pen below.)

He aims to be a centrist but has been called Jupiter for his rather autocratic manner. (French people always dislike the politican in power, so any approval or disapproval ratings should be taken with a huge grain of salt.)

But the reason most people overseas know him is because he married his high school English teacher, Brigitte Trogneux who is 24 years older than him.

2. Marine Le Pen

From the ultra-right wing nationalist side of French politics, is Marine Le Pen. The daughter of the infamous Jean-Marie Le Pen, she inherited the title of leader of the Front National when he retired.

French presidential elections involve 2 rounds of voting, with the final round being a runoff between the top 2 candidates. When her father Jean-Marie Le Pen made it to the final round in 2002, French people "ont fait barage", meaning voted en masse to ensure that he did not become President, with the other candidate getting 83% of the final vote.

They continued the tradition with his daughter, Marine Le Pen who was in the final round in 2017, giving Macron 66% of the vote. Le Pen is expected to be a strong candidate in the 2022 Presidential election. It is left to be seen if French people will continue to "faire barage".

3. Anne Hidalgo

Mayor of the capital Paris, Anne Hidalgo was easily elected to a 2nd term as mayor.

With a strong ecological perspective, this left-wing mayor manages to regularly annoy everyone living outside of the Paris city border, with her restrictions on cars and parking spots.

A politician with presidential ambitions, as mayor of Paris, she has the political power weight to make some noise.

4. Jean-Luc Mélanchon

Left-wing Mélanchon has been a politician for over 40 years, and is a perennial Presidential candidate.

With some rather quirky ideas, he is known for supporting the failed regimes in Venezuela and regularly criticizing the European Union and Germany.

Always managing to counterpoint the government in power, he aims to be a populist, but tends to find himself cast as the ultra-left version of Marine Le Pen.

5. Nicolas Sarkozy

Ex-president Sarkozy (2007-2012) had a rather interesting love life and still manages to make headlines regularly the multitude of criminal court cases against him.

Married to singer-actress wife Carla Bruni, his propensity to give quote-worthy interviews to journalists always keeps him in the headlines. He says he isn't planning a comeback, but with the right field open, never say never.

VI. Quiz

And so with all that, time for the French pop-culture general knowledge quiz! Keep track of your answers to see how you did at the end.

1. Which one of these is not a famous French footballer?

2. Who has never been a President of France?

3. Which of these famous personalities was not born in Paris, France?

Serge Gainsbourg (credit Claude Truong-Ngoc cc-by-sa-3.0)

4. Serge Gainsbourg was:

5. Which one of these famous astrologers was French?

6. Which one of these famous French designers descended from nobility?

7. Which of these is not a French actress?

8. Which of these famous personalities was NOT involved in dealings with the French Resistance during World War II?

9. Which of these famous bands is French?

10. Which Italian artist is buried in Amboise, France?

For more fun, don't forget to check out our other quizzes. A bientôt!

¹ Featured Image: Wikipedia

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26 French Celebrities You Need To Know (with Quiz) | Snippets Of Paris

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Does news travel across oceans? You bet it does, sometimes with a charming French accent and sometimes not. Can you spot your local French celebrities? The French are renowned for their culture and artistry, and are gaining a reputation worldwide for their passion for music and cinema.

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French presidential election coverage on FRANCE 24

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The 2022 French presidential election is set for April 10 and 24. Will France give Emmanuel Macron five more years or send a new president to the Élysée Palace? FRANCE 24 brings you the latest covera…

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- news networks
- influential people
- pop culture
- tourist websites
- songs! (hébé)

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https://prezi.com/fnhinchnm4pe/nonverbal-communication-in-france/

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Nonverbal Communication in France Bof-The Gallic shrug is (stereo)typically French-putting their hands up in a way of saying dont shoot in america Un, deux, trois-The French system of counting on the fingers starting with the thumb Faire la moue-The pout is another oh-so-classic

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https://www.foodandwine.com/wine/best-french-wines

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The world of French wine is dauntingly vast. To learn every aspect of it, you'd need an entire wine shop, and a lifetime as well. Yet drinking wine, from anywhere, without knowing something about the wines of France is like going to the movies with a blindfold on; you're missing a lot. Even your favorite California Cabernets and Argentine Malbecs, after all, are made with grapes that originated in France.

Thankfully, learning about wine isn't like learning calculus. All you really need is a corkscrew and a glass (though a friend or two who's willing to share a bottle never hurts). Plus, French wine is endlessly fascinating. If you try the 50 wines here, or even a fair percentage of them, you'll never be daunted by the French wine section on a restaurant list ever again. So, wine glasses out! Class is in session.

Le Newbie

Let's suppose you've never had a wine from France in your life (unlikely, but hey, maybe you were raised in Antarctica). The six types of wine on this page are the baselines for any understanding of French wine; if we were talking basketball, for instance, knowing these is like knowing that you have to throw the ball through the hoop to score. Note also that here and throughout the next pages, specific bottles are suggestions, not absolutes; the point is to smell and taste (and drink) a red Bordeaux. Château Greysac, recommended here, is a great a ordable example-but there are many, many others.

A CHAMPAGNE

A LOIRE VALLEY WHITE

A RED BURGUNDY

A WHITE BURGUNDY

A BORDEAUX RED

A RHÔNE VALLEY RED

Le Advanced Student

One great way to learn about wine is side-by-side tasting. The Grenache-driven lushness of a southern Rhône red becomes all the more vivid when you compare it to a more brooding northern Rhône Syrah, for instance. Look for the following pairs (or ask your wine shop for similar examples), open them together, and taste back and forth between them. And since you've got two bottles open, why not invite some friends?

ALSACE TWO WAYS

2017 Jean-Baptiste Adam Riesling Les Natures ($24)
2017 Domaine Weinbach Gewürztraminer ($37)
Alsace, along France's border with Germany, specializes in white wines, particularly Riesling and Gewürztraminer. Here, the Adam's smoky stoniness and austerity contrasts dramatically with the Weinbach's exotic aromas of lychee and rosewater, its moderate sweetness, and its ripe nectarine fruit.

LOIRE VS. RHÔNE WHITES

2016 Domaine Huet Le Mont Vouvray Sec ($36)
2014 Coudoulet De Beaucastel Côtes Du Rhône Blanc ($50)
Two very different regions, two very different wines. Vouvray, in the Loire Valley, is Chenin Blanc. Whites from the Rhône Valley can use a range of varieties, depending on the appellation (in this case, Marsanne, Viognier, Bourboulenc, and Clairette). The Huet is spot-on Loire Chenin: floral, appley, its richness contained by zingy acid. The Coudoulet is lusher, suggesting ripe peaches and honeysuckle.

SOUTHERN VS. NORTHERN RHÔNE

2016 Chateau De Saint Cosme Gigondas
2016 E. Guigal Crozes-Hermitage
Southern Rhône reds are typically blends, dominated by Grenache. In the north, no blends: Syrah rules all. The southern Saint Cosme (pronounced like "comb") is all ripe raspberries, white pepper, and wild herbs. The northern E. Guigal's fruit is blacker, with hints of olive and black pepper, its tannins more taut and muscular.

A LIGHTER RED DUO

2017 Château Thivin Côte De Brouilly ($29)
2017 Olga Raffault Chinon ($20)
Lighter reds are back in fashion, a boon for regions like the Loire and Beaujolais. Côte de Brouilly is one of the 10 Beaujolais crus, known for wines whose fruit recalls wild blueberries; Thivin is a benchmark producer. The reds of Chinon-sommelier faves right now-are made from Cabernet Franc and are more herbal and earthy. Raffault's vibrant bottling is black-peppery with svelte tannins.

CHABLIS AND THE CÔTE D'OR

2017 Domaine Christian Moreau Père Et Fils Chablis ($34)
2017 Philippe Colin Chassagne-Montrachet ($70)
First thing: Smell these wines. The vanilla spice in the Chassagne comes from new oak barrels; most Chablis, like the Moreau, won't have that note. Instead, the Moreau recalls the way dry earth smells just after rain, a telltale Chablis scent. The Chablis is light and fine; the Chassagne richer and more tongue-coating.

BORDEAUX'S TWO BANKS

2015 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou Saint-Julien ($55)
2015 Château Bourgneuf Pomerol ($60)
A crucial Bordeaux division lies between its Left Bank wines-from vineyards west of the Gironde estuary, typically dominated by Cabernet-and Right Bank wines-east of the river, usually Merlot- based. The La Croix, 52% Cabernet, is classically Left Bank: firmly tannic, with Cabernet's cassis-and-cedar character; the Bourgneuf, 85% Merlot, is plush and more forgiving, with dark sweet-plum notes.

BURGUNDY'S TERROIRS

2017 Domaine Tollot-Beaut Chorey-Lès-Beaune ($52)
2016 Louis Jadot Gevrey-Chambertin ($73)
The slopes of the Côte d'Or, home to Burgundy's greatest wines, are divided into two sections: Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits. Very broadly, the former's reds tend to be lighter, red-fruited, and more delicate, the latter's darker and more powerful. These two show that: the Tollot-Beaut with its pretty raspberry notes, the Jadot more robust, with dark cherry flavors and grippy tannins.

Le Value Buyer

Americans tend to think of French wine as expensive, but consider this: The country produces over 1.2 billion gallons of wine per year, and the average price per bottle is about three bucks. Makes you start to think, "Hmm, there must be some great values here, right?" In fact, France is a spectacular source for wine bargains if you know where to look-so here are some suggestions.

FRENCH SPARKLING

2016 Cuvée Jean Philippe Crémant De Limoux Rosé ($15)
You can't touch actual Champagne for under $30, but France produces a bevy of other good sparkling wines. Crémant de Limoux is a reliable bargain; this one, with its
bright strawberry and tangerine notes, shows why.

CÔTES DU RHÔNE

LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON WHITE

ROUSSILLON RED

FRENCH ROSÉ

BORDEAUX

LOIRE MUSCADET

VIN DE FRANCE

Le Outliers

French wine isn't just tradition. It also embodies discovery and change. For every famous Bordeaux château there's a start-up natural winemaker in the Loire; for every sought-after Burgundy grand cru, there's a side valley in Corsica to explore. Here are some rewarding lesser-known roads to wander.

Le Obscurantist

France's more obscure wine regions often produce eye-openingly excellent wines. Learn them and impress your friends with your super-savvy wine geekitude; why not? Southwestern France's Cahors is the original home of Malbec. Try the powerful 2017 Chevalier du Château Lagrézette Malbec ($35), full of spice and licorice notes. Or take the Savoie region, in the foothills of the Alps, along France's border with Italy and Switzerland: The smoky, appley 2016 Domaine des Ardoisières Argile Blanc ($32), a blend of Jacquère and Chardonnay, is a great introduction. The south-facing slopes of the Pyrenees are home to the tiny wine region of Irouléguy. Seek out the 2016 Herri Mina Rouge ($29), a structured, tea-leafy red from the former winemaker of Bordeaux's famed Château Petrus, for an outstanding example. Finally, look into the truly obscure Côtes de Toul appellation in Lorraine. Almost no one knows about it, but the 2017 Domaine Migot Pinot Noir ($25) suggests that more people certainly should.

Le Naturaliste

"Natural" wines are farmed organically or biodynamically and made without adding anything at all (sulfur, additives, enzymes, etc.). It's a vital movement that rejects the industrialization of wine (if you're a believer) or a form of neo-Luddite silliness (if you're a naysayer). Here's a suggestion: Ignore the arguments and try these bottles. Then make up your own mind. First up, Éric Texier's 2017 Brézème Côtes du Rhône Rouge ($30) is marked by brilliant acidity and freshness, with earthy-leathery avors. The 2017 La Grange Tiphaine Clef de Sol Rouge ($32), from the Loire, is so full of life and energy, it's hard to set down your glass.

The 2018 Clos du Tue-Boeuf Blanc ($20), also from the Loire, is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay with bright notes of grapefruit and apple and a saline nish. Finally, seek out the joyous, electric-raspberry 2017 Lapierre Morgon ($35) from Beaujolais. Marcel Lapierre was a natural wine visionary; now his son and daughter continue his work.

Le Cool-Hunter

Want to be praised for your in-the-know- ness (at least by fellow wine nuts)? Start looking into these regions and varieties. First, a wine from the sommelier-beloved Jura region, like the light-bodied 2015 Bénédicte & Stéphane Tissot Singulier Trousseau ($35), with its vivid wild-berry and spice notes. Next, grower Champagnes, which come from individual small vineyard owners. The steely, zero-dosage 2013 Larmandier-Bernier Terre de Vertus Brut Nature ($85) is a great start. Learning about tiny Corsica's tongue-twisting native grapes like Sciacarellu and Niellucciu will up your wine-cool. The 2015 Domaine Comte Abbatucci Faustine Rouge ($38), with its cured meat and olive notes, is a great choice. Finally Aligoté, the long-over- looked other white grape from Burgundy, is having its moment. Try the taut, oral 2017 Charles Audoin Bourgogne Aligoté ($22).

Le Master's Degree

It's possible to get a solid sense of the basics of French wine without tasting some of the country's truly great wines, but why would you want to do that? Sheer pleasure aside, benchmarks exist for a reason: Other wines are weighed against them, and by tasting them you learn the full measure of a region, the expanse that lies between "good" and "great." Even so, you don't need to mortgage your house and buy a $5,000 bottle of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Montrachet to reach the heights. Here are two approaches: rst, somewhat moderate, and then, sky's the limit.

Le Semi-Grand

The wines here are all delicious right now and will also benefit from years of cellaring. Are they inexpensive? No. But they're less than the price of an average Napa Cabernet on a restaurant wine list.

Le Plus Grand

Look, life is short, right?

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Drink These 50 Wines to Be a French Wine Expert

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The world of French wine is dauntingly vast. To learn every aspect of it, you'd need an entire wine shop, and a lifetime as well. Yet drinking wine, from anywhere, without knowing something about the wines of France is like going to the movies with a blindfold on; you're missing a lot.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB1uhLhTxaw
Cultural documentary

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The Truth about French Women (Culture Documentary) | Real Storie