French Culture

You’ve probably heard the French national anthem, the Marseillaise, before, even if you’re not a French speaker or student. You may have come across it during sports matches or cultural documentaries, or even in the intro to one of the Beatles’ most famous songs. The lyrics of the Marseillaise don’t really go with a tune … Read More

Pass any tourist shop in Paris, and you’ll spot objects printed with the Louvre’s famous Renaissance façade, as well as its equally famous glass pyramid. In the same shop, you’ll see keychains, magnets, t-shirts, tote bags, scarves, and more bearing the face of the Mona Lisa, the museum’s most famous masterpiece. The Louvre’s iconic status … Read More

Many French street names aren’t particularly surprising. Charles de Gaulle leads the pack as the person with the most streets named after him. Other streets, boulevards, avenues, or places (squares) are frequently named in honor of La République, la Nation, or nearby locations like l’église or le marché. But some French street, avenue, boulevard, and … Read More

It’s no secret that French people love food. And rightly so, considering how delicious French cuisine is. Not only did French people invent and refine many cooking techniques, including poaching, flambéing, and braising, but they also developed a set of French eating habits distinct from what foreigners might be used to. Some of these food … Read More