French culture
Gallic ways, traditions
French culture encompasses the customs, arts, cuisine, and social practices associated with France and its people.
It evokes refinement in food and wine, fashion, literature, philosophy, and visual arts—a legacy of the Enlightenment and centuries of artistic patronage.
The phrase often carries connotations of sophistication or snobbishness: He affects an appreciation for French culture.
French culture emphasizes formal etiquette, lengthy meals, intellectual discourse, and aesthetic pleasure.
It has shaped Western ideas about cuisine, fashion, cinema, and the art of living well.
- Bastille DayFrench national holiday
- ImpressionismArt movement emphasizing light
- CamembertNormandy commune, cheese origin
- VersaillesFrench royal palace complex
- SurrealismArt movement exploring dreams
Edith Piaf · Napoleonic Code · Francophone · savoir faire · Victor Hugo · crème brûlée · Joan of Arc · Rodin · Louvre · Molière · terroir · Eiffel Tower · Monet · beret · Renoir · art nouveau · romance · fromage
- Latin/RomanceRoman heritage, Latin literature, Renaissance art, Latin music
- French Culturebaguette, baguettes, beret, berets, brie
- French Thingsbaguette, beret, Eiffel Tower, croissant, Louvre
- European heritageEuropean architecture, wine, European art, cheese, European cuisine
- French AmericaCajun, Creole, New Orleans, Acadian, Acadiana
- Franco-Russian LettersPushkin, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Turgenev, Chekhov
French cultureGerman culture
Traditions of Deutschland
American culture · Japanese culture · Chinese culture · Russian culture · British culture
French cultureEnglish culture
Traditions of England
British culture · American culture · English-speaking world · Protestant work ethic · Australian culture
French culturephilistinism
Contempt for cultural refinement
anti-intellectualism · Puritanism · asceticism · Protestant work ethic · utilitarianism