Buzz
Famous for their love of cheese, surrendering at the slightest provocation, and sporting onion necklaces.
These somewhat xenophobic generalizations about the French are common in English-speaking countries. While there may be some historical reasons for this view, they don't accurately represent the richness of French culture.
In spite of the less-than-ideal image often associated with France, we've uncovered 10 fascinating facts that will surprise and captivate you.
10. They Are More Than Just Cheese-Loving Surrender Monkeys
The French military holds an impressive military record in Europe. Out of 168 battles fought since 387 BC, they have won 109, lost 49, and drawn 10. Many jokes about French cowardice stem from World War II, which we'll delve into shortly.
During World War I, France suffered the loss of 1.4 million soldiers (with 4.3 million wounded), compared to 126,000 deaths (with 234,300 wounded) for the US. Yet, no one mocks the US for its late involvement. Romania and Serbia endured far heavier losses—three and four times more than the US, respectively.
While it is true that France quickly surrendered at the onset of World War II, it's crucial to consider the context. Only the US and USSR had the capacity to stand alone against the Wehrmacht in 1939—and casualties would have been devastating. Following Britain’s betrayal of Poland, the Germans had free rein, and the French endured the blow with remarkable resilience.
9. The Most Visited Tourist Destination in the World
Although tourism numbers have slightly decreased, France remains a leader in global tourism. Interestingly, despite its romantic reputation elsewhere, 70 percent of visitors are from Europe. This speaks to the strong admiration France commands from its neighbors. From iconic landmarks like Paris, Mont Saint-Michel, Château de Chambord, and Carcassonne to more unexpected surprises, France continues to captivate travelers.
While, like any country, France has its less scenic spots—the motorways being a particular nightmare—it also offers some of the most thrilling and diverse adventures you’ll find anywhere. Beyond its renowned wine and cognac, there’s a shared sense among other nations that the French excel at certain things, and we can’t help but want to experience it for ourselves.
8. They’re Feeling a Little Bleu
One thing the French undeniably excel at is taking their time in bed—because, really, what's the rush? Some have humorously suggested that the reason one in five French individuals has experienced a medically diagnosed depressive episode is due to an excess of vin (wine) and Boursin (creamy white cheese), paired with a lack of cocaine.
It’s unlikely that the French depression is solely due to a lack of interest in recreational drugs. The high number of people on medication is attributed to developed countries having a better understanding of mental health issues. In general, Western societies are more open about discussing depression, and the medical culture in France and other European countries tends to favor medication as a treatment.
Perhaps the source of French melancholy lies in the fact that they only have Ligue 1 soccer. It’s pretty dismal, even with PSG (Paris Saint-Germain Football Club) and their billions of euros. Sacre bleu.
7. The Potato Was Banned in France for 24 Years
Somehow, no wars were fought over the French refusal to invent french fries as soon as possible. About 40 years passed between the introduction of the potato and the groundbreaking decision to fry those little guys in oil.
Why?
At first, the French didn’t consider the potato as food. For some strange reason, they believed that this humble tuber was responsible for spreading leprosy. Of course, we now know that witchcraft and early feminism were actually the culprits.
One determined Frenchman, Antoine-Augustin Parmentier, fought tirelessly for years to get his beloved potatoes accepted as a legitimate food source. Finally, in 1772, with the support of Louis XVI, the potato was officially deemed acceptable for boiling, mashing, stewing, or even making into crispy, golden fries.
6. Surprisingly, France Once Had a National Flag That Was White
After Louis XVI famously lost his head in the most literal sense, the not-so-tall Napoleon came to power. As history shows, Napoleon excelled in warfare but failed miserably at invading Russia in the winter. Eventually, he was overthrown, leading to the Bourbon Restoration.
Choosing the white flag as their standard might not have been the best decision, especially considering its 2,000-year history as a symbol of surrender. And indeed, it proved to be just that.
The Bourbon Restoration lasted 16 years, during which they entertained the notion of having a king. Predictably, they ended up waving their own flag in the face of the revolution. This period is famously covered by Victor Hugo in Les Miserables.
5. The Most Anti-Semitic Place On Earth?
There are plenty of places with unusual names. In the US, you can find Beaver Bottom. Australia has Intercourse Island. Iran has a town called Shit. Not to be left out, the French had a village named 'Death to Jews.'
La-Mort-Aux-Juifs was a small village with a name that had been around for centuries. As the deputy mayor of Courtemaux explained, 'No one has anything against the Jews, of course. It doesn’t surprise me that this issue has resurfaced. Why change a name that dates back to the Middle Ages or even earlier? We should respect these old names.'
Fortunately, we've moved beyond the days when peasants believed in blood libels, and we can confidently say that no one hates anyone for their religion anymore. Once, the most poorly named town in the world was Castrillo Matajudios ('Little Hill Fort of Jew Killers') in Spain. But in 2015, the Spanish village renamed itself Mota de Judios ('Hill of the Jews').
Eventually, the municipal council of La-Mort-Aux-Juifs yielded to national pressure. In early 2015, the name La-Mort-Aux-Juifs was erased from history, and the land was divided between the villages of Les Croisilles and La Dogetterie.
How charming humans are.
4. The Louvre Was Built To Defeat Vikings
In the 12th century, France found itself surrounded by enemies on every side. To the south, the Moors had taken control of much of Spain. The Third Crusade was raging in the Holy Land, while the western part of France was under the rule of Richard the Lionheart of England. Adding to the trouble, the Vikings, though converted to Christianity, still carried on their raids.
What was King Philip Augustus going to do with all his plunder?
The solution was clear: construct an enormous castle right in the heart of Paris. By the time construction was completed in 1202, the Louvre became the royal repository for records and treasures, guarding them for over 70 years. Although it was eventually demolished to make way for even grander castles and later turned into a souvenir shop offering key rings with a small picture of a girl smiling, the original purpose of the Louvre was all about defense and war.
The site became a strategic base for generations of French kings, sending them in various directions to engage in battle. Tres bon (“Very good”).
3. The Creators of Modern Stilt Walking
If, like us, you've ever glanced at human inventions and thought, 'What a peculiar species we are. Who came up with that?' then you’re bound to appreciate the humble origins of the stilt. While today it’s famous for its role in street performances and circus acts, the stilt was originally a practical tool, one which no single culture can claim to have invented.
By the late 19th century, the terrain of rural Gascony was unforgiving. As noted by Scientific American: 'There were no roads at all, and the population, reliant on sheep farming, was scattered. It was clearly to navigate these difficult conditions that shepherds created and adopted stilts.'
The use of stilts dates back to as early as 1411, when records show Belgians using them in battle. The Chinese and ancient Greeks also made use of them. However, in terms of practical and recent use in Europe, the French rightfully claim the title of Best People Standing on Wooden Poles in Fields for No Reason.
The use of stilts has almost vanished, overtaken by the spread of roads and railways of modern civilization. While towns now boast VSPs and fashion trends, back in 1891, Sylvain Dornon, a stilt-walker from Landes, France, managed to walk from Paris to Moscow in just 58 days. Clearly, stilts remain the superior method of travel. Huzzah for stilts!
2. Everyone Can Drive... Well, Sort of
If you're 14 years old in France, you're allowed to drive a small car known as the VSP (voiture sans permis), which translates to 'car without a license.' These vehicles can reach a maximum speed of 45 kilometers per hour (28 mph) and typically have just two seats. This means that, unlike in other countries, the most famous lovers on Earth can learn the art of driving in the front seat.
Historically, these little vehicles have been especially popular with both the elderly and the young people living in rural areas. Despite their practical use, the VSP has developed a truly bizarre history of its own.
Since the arrival of the first 'carts' in 1896, daring Frenchmen have done what men across the globe have always done when confronted with a new vehicle: they pushed the limits of speed, started racing one another, and began placing bets on the outcomes.
Ah, the charm of traditional ways of life.
Although the VSP has been a relic for many years, it's now experiencing a revival as electric power replaces gasoline. With its lightweight frame of no more than 350 kilograms (770 lb), the efficiency of electric VSPs is unparalleled. Long live the VSP!
1. Macron Is The Youngest President In History
In 2017, at the age of 39, Emmanuel Macron became the youngest president in French history, as well as the first to marry his high school teacher, who is 24 years older than him. While some find this relationship odd and unsettling, fans of Van Halen have branded it incredibly attractive.
Macron’s youth also presents other challenges. After he criticized the ruling PiS party in Poland, their Prime Minister Beata Szydlo (still looking great at 54) remarked, 'Perhaps his (Macron’s) arrogant comments stem from his lack of political experience, which I can understand, but I expect him to rectify this and be more measured in the future.'
On the flip side, young Emmanuel has a strong rapport with the still-very-active leader of the Schengen zone, Mutti Merkel, who is 63. As for what Macron’s wife thinks about that, any discussion is purely speculative and not for the faint-hearted.
