The British often imagine they understand France and the French. There’s a long history of big and small animosities between the two nations and France is physically the closest country to us, so of course we know all about French life. But even with all the stereotypically detracting remarks you hear about the French, their country remains the most visited in the world. And the British continue to move there to live out their French dream.

So, what do we all really know about French life?

We know that the French have a reputation for good cuisine. It’s true that the great majority place an emphasis on the eating of quality food. Lunch is the most important meal of the day and if there’s someone at home to prepare the meal, children and workers will return for lunch if it’s practically possible. Otherwise children will eat three course meals at the school canteen and adults will go to a restaurant or works’ canteen. You can often learn which restaurant offers the best “menu ouvrier” by counting the number of workmen’s vans parked outside.

With less overweight and the associated health problems, the French are a good example of how to eat. To eat a full meal at lunchtime with several small courses is better for us. We then have the rest of the day to use the energy and a lighter evening meal allows us to avoid going to bed with a full stomach.

Although France is rightly proud of its traditional bread, I think that you need to be weaned onto and brought up with the baguette if you’re to find it essential twice a day. When I arrived to live in France many years ago, I soon become fed up with the relentless baguette diet and was forced by my teenaged children to learn to make “proper wholemeal loaves”. Today, there’s a huge variety of breads available in every boulangerie (and regional variations make for pleasant discoveries) and I’ve happily given up baking!

We know that the French are famous for their cheese but our knowledge of that cheese is sometimes restricted to just one or two sorts. Some people say they hate French cheese because they don’t like Camembert, not realising that this is just one out of over four hundred French cheeses with a huge variety of tastes, ingredients, maturing processes, textures, etc.

French wine is not only an important export item, but is also a normal part of French social and family life. Visiting the vineyard areas of France is very interesting and many producers offer tours and explanations about the growth and processing of grapes. They may also offer tastings and sales! Most French people have some degree of interest in wine and the exact bottles to be used at Christmas, New Year and at family celebrations can be the subject of long debate.

Many of us believe that France is made up of protesting farmers, fishermen and transport workers. This is because world television tends to concentrate on the negative aspects of news rather than on a country’s more positive events. It might be more realistic to show the fantastic products.

So what else is typical of French life in this land of wonderful food and drink with its assertive farmers and unfriendly officials?

Cinema is a very well regarded art form so that school children are taken to films from an early age and there are frequent magazine and television discussions on the subject. New films are shown even in remote areas, often in a Salle de Ftes by the local film society. Similarly, libraries in villages may be run by volunteers. The availability of the arts is regarded as important and voluntary work is vital to keep these going.

French designers are also world famous and Paris fashion shows are televised all over the world; we consider French people to be sophisticated dressers.

Quite a contradictory set of icons for this nation! But one thing is sure, people from all over the world keep returning to visit and to benefit from many aspects of the French life. Could the complaints arise from envy?

French Life and the pleasure of Life in France have been the subject of many articles, books and even television programmes. To get a first hand account of Living in France make sure you visit Amanda Lawrence’s new blog at www.frenchvie.com. Full of stories and recipes from south west France. It takes you right there – you’ll never want to leave. Don’t forget to register for her free newsletter.

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