12 Hidden French Pop Culture Facts College Students Should Know in 2025
12 Hidden French Pop Culture Facts College Students Should Know in 2025
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Meta Description: This article compiles the most interesting and amazing French pop culture facts that are important to know for students who are planning to get admitted to a French educational institute. Let’s delve into it to explore these facts.
France, famous for its vibrant culture, rich history, and delicious cuisine, has always been a leading destination for students around the world. According to Campus France, overseas students who were registered for the French higher education system for the academic year 2023-24 reached 430,466, a 4.6% increase from the last year.
Exploring French pop culture facts as a college student is a great way to deepen your understanding of the culture and feel more connected to it. To help you out, in this article, we’ll share the most interesting facts about French pop culture that every college student should know in 2025. From unique traditions to iconic landmarks, we’ll share everything about it.
Keep reading to explore these fun facts about France.
12 Interesting French Pop Culture Facts to Know in 2025
France is a country rich in culture, so there are many customs and interesting facts about this nation. Of course, we are not able to enlist all of them, but we bring a collection of the most amazing facts about France that will help you learn more about this country.
Let’s dive into these captivating facts about French culture that will surprise and inspire you as a student.
1. You Can Marry a Dead Person in France
Yes, you read it right. In France, you can marry a dead person. Although it is not a common practice, it is legal to marry a deceased person after getting the official approval and meeting the right criteria.
According to French law, the living partner ties the knot only if he/she can prove that the deceased person intended to marry when he/she was alive. One of the notable examples of this law occurred in 2017 when the partner of a policeman died in a terrorist attack; then, the living person was allowed to have a posthumous wedding.
2. French Students are Multi-talented
French students are known for their intelligence and well-rounded knowledge, a distinction largely attributed to the unique structure of their education system. In France, elementary schools are comparable to art and social science universities in the USA. They provide a strong foundation in critical thinking and learning skills from an early age.
This focus on effective learning techniques sets students apart in their academic pursuits. In addition to this, French educators emphasise the importance of homework, which plays a significant role in reinforcing students' understanding of French cultural facts and enhancing their learning experience. To support their academic success, many students seek assistance from professional writers of a custom assignment writing service to complete the homework in time and stay ahead of the competition.
This strong educational framework is one of the many reasons why pursuing higher education in France is an attractive option for students seeking excellence in their academic journey.
- French People Smoke a Lot
French people love to smoke; however, indoors smoking is not allowed, it is common outdoors. That is why when you look for smoke-free air in France, then it is definitely hard for you to find a place. Generally, people don’t think twice about lighting up a cigarette near you. It is up to you how you will avoid the smoke around you while living in this country.
However, if you're concerned about exposure to smoke while living in France, consider the following:
- Seek out designated smoke-free zones in some public places, though these are not always readily available.
- Be mindful of smoking areas near cafes and restaurants, which often have outdoor seating with smokers.
- Take proactive steps to avoid smoke by choosing indoor locations that strictly enforce non-smoking policies or finding quiet, less crowded spaces to spend time in.
Ultimately, it's up to you to avoid smoke in public areas while adapting to this cultural aspect of French life.
4. Way of Fish Serving
If you're a fan of fish, this little French tradition will surely pique your interest. In many eateries across France, when you order fish, it is often served with the eyes still intact. On a lighthearted note, it is an amazing French pop culture fact when you see a fish staring back at you while you're about to dig in. But there's a deeper cultural significance behind this practice.
The French believe that serving fish with its eyes intact is a sign of freshness. A clear-eyed fish signals that it was recently caught and is still in peak condition. On the other hand, if the fish’s eyes are cloudy or dull, it’s considered a sign that the fish is no longer fresh or healthy. So next time you're in France, keep an eye on the fish's eyes; they could tell you a lot about how fresh your meal is!
5. It is a Home of Cheese
If you go to France and do not come across hundreds of cheese varieties, it is not possible. As per the report by My French House.com, France has over 1200 varieties of cheese, and in 2023, the country produced 1.9 billion tons of cheese.
Interesting? Of course, yes. France is the home of cheese: it is possible to eat a different kind of cheese every day of the year. Besides, it is a popular French pop culture to serve customary cheese dessert after every meal.
6. French People are Super Friendly
It is a stereotype that French people are rude and dry. The French Pop culture fact is that they are extremely helpful and friendly. No matter which city in France you go to, you will be amazed to see the French people's behaviour.
Whether you speak French or not, they will treat you like you are part of them. So, if you are planning to move to France, then you don’t need to know how you would adjust to the new country; French people will make it easy for you.
7. Baguette Has a Precise Direction in France
In France, placing a baguette upside down is considered bad luck, a superstition that has been passed down through generations. While the origins of this belief are hard to trace, many historians suggest it dates back to medieval times. During this period, bakers would intentionally place loaves of bread upside down to signal that they were intended to be handed to executioners. This eerie practice gave rise to the superstition that an upside-down baguette could bring misfortune.
If you accidentally place your baguette upside down, don't worry; there's a simple remedy. The French believe that cutting it vertically from the underside before eating can help reverse the bad luck associated with this act. So, next time you're enjoying a fresh baguette, remember to keep it right-side up, or at least make that quick vertical cut if things go awry!
8. It is Illegal to Throw Edible Food
In 2016, the French government took a pioneering step in addressing the global food crisis by passing a groundbreaking law aimed at reducing food waste. The law made it illegal for supermarkets to discard unsold food items. Instead, it is a fact of French pop culture that they are required to donate surplus food to local food banks, charities, and other organisations that can redistribute it to those in need. This law was an effective move toward tackling food insecurity while simultaneously reducing the environmental impact of food waste.
The impact of this legislation has been remarkable, leading to a significant reduction in food waste across the country and providing millions of meals to people in need. By encouraging the redistribution of edible food, France not only curbed waste but also helped alleviate hunger, making this law an inspirational model for other nations facing similar challenges.
9. French People Keep Less Clothes
One of the most interesting pop culture facts that every overseas student should know is keeping fewer clothes. Unlike other developed countries, France believes that ‘Less is more’. This practice has also transformed the French fashion industry.
The people of this nation usually wear their clothes with different accessories to lift their overall look. In addition, the French people prefer to pay more for good clothing as they are confident that this extra money will give them long-term benefits.
10. Religion In France
In general, French People are not religious. According to the Statista, 24% of French people say that they are atheists and not religious at all. We know that the ratio of people in France is quite staggering.
The major reason for these anti-religious sentiments among French people is the contemporary outlook of life depending on science and logic. On the other hand, it is one of the interesting French pop culture facts that the most religious people in France are minority groups such as Muslims, Christians, etc.
11. Say ‘Bonjour’ all the Time
French people are the politest people, but there are some norms and traditions which these people strictly follow. One of these traditions is saying ‘Bonjour’ all the time. Yes, you heard it right.
French people really mind if you don’t say hello when you meet them. Whether you go to a supermarket for groceries or visit a doctor, you must say hello to the cashier and the doctor; otherwise, you will leave a bad impression on them.
12. Beets are Popular in France
You would certainly hear that the French People eat strange things such as snails. But did you hear about their craze about the beetroot? Yes, French people love to eat beets with every meal. If you go to an eatery, you will find chunks of beetroots in your dish.
Apart from that, these days the most popular dish in France is ‘Peasant Beets’. This dish is prepared with a great infusion of beets, cheese, and chards.
Why Do Students Need to Know About French Pop Culture?
French pop culture is deeply anchored in the French society. Generally, the people of this country are very close to their traditions and norms. So, if you are planning to move to France for higher studies, you need to know about French pop culture facts to understand it better.
Teachers assign assignments on French culture that allow students to broaden their knowledge and explore the traditions of this country. Sometimes, students do not find enough time to complete such tasks, so they approach best-rated assignment writing agencies that can help them complete their academic tasks.
Conclusion
France is a great country with a rich history and vibrant culture. And the best thing about this nation is its exceptional educational system. However, before moving to this country for your higher education, it is essential to get all the information about French culture and customs.
Therefore, we have shared some interesting French pop culture facts that will help college students to understand the French people. From its delicious cuisine to important laws, we have enlisted everything in this comprehensive guide. We hope that with this knowledge and facts, you will enjoy your educational experience in France.
Author Bio
Julia is a professional assignment writer who is also a French national. With these writing skills, she aims to guide students to explore the hidden gems and amazing fun facts about France. Elizabeth also encourages students to come to France for their higher education so that they can thrive in their academic careers. Report this page