French Culture & Traditions
Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of French culture, from traditional celebrations to world-renowned cuisine and art.
Cultural Insight
Understanding French culture is essential for mastering the language. Culture and language are deeply intertwined.
French Traditions & Celebrations
La Fête Nationale (Bastille Day)
French National Day celebrating the storming of the Bastille
le feu d'artifice
fireworks
le défilé
parade
la Marseillaise
French national anthem
le drapeau tricolore
tricolor flag
Noël (Christmas)
Christmas celebration with unique French traditions
le sapin de Noël
Christmas tree
le Père Noël
Santa Claus
la bûche de Noël
Yule log cake
les cadeaux
gifts
Pâques (Easter)
Easter celebration with chocolate and egg traditions
les œufs de Pâques
Easter eggs
le chocolat
chocolate
les cloches
bells
le lapin de Pâques
Easter bunny
French Cuisine
Appetizers
l'escargot
snails
le foie gras
foie gras
la soupe à l'oignon
onion soup
les crudités
raw vegetables
Main Courses
le coq au vin
rooster in wine
la bouillabaisse
fish stew
le cassoulet
bean stew
la ratatouille
vegetable stew
Desserts
la crème brûlée
burnt cream
le macaron
macaron
la tarte tatin
upside-down apple tart
le mille-feuille
thousand leaves pastry
French Art Movements
Impressionnisme
Famous Artists:
Claude Monet
Les Nymphéas
1840-1926
Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Le Déjeuner des canotiers
1841-1919
Edgar Degas
La Classe de danse
1834-1917
Art Vocabulary:
la peinture
painting
le pinceau
paintbrush
la palette
palette
le tableau
canvas/painting
Cubisme
Famous Artists:
Pablo Picasso
Les Demoiselles d'Avignon
1881-1973
Georges Braque
Violon et palette
1882-1963
Art Vocabulary:
la sculpture
sculpture
l'exposition
exhibition
le musée
museum
l'artiste
artist
French Literature
Moyen Âge
Famous Authors:
Chrétien de Troyes
Lancelot
12th century
Marie de France
Lais
12th century
Literary Vocabulary:
le roman
novel
la poésie
poetry
l'auteur
author
l'œuvre
work
Siècle des Lumières
Famous Authors:
Voltaire
Candide
18th century
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Le Contrat social
18th century
Denis Diderot
L'Encyclopédie
18th century
Literary Vocabulary:
la philosophie
philosophy
la raison
reason
la liberté
freedom
l'égalité
equality
French Geography & Landmarks
Île-de-France
Capital: Paris
la Tour Eiffel
Iron tower
le Louvre
Art museum
Notre-Dame
Cathedral
l'Arc de Triomphe
Triumphal arch
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Capital: Marseille
le Palais des Papes
Palace of the Popes
les Calanques
Rocky inlets
le Mont Ventoux
Windy mountain