Culture of France
The shared practices, beliefs, institutions, arts, and traditions shaped by France’s history and society, including regional and immigrant influences.
French language: A Romance language that developed from Latin and is spoken in France and many other countries. A national language shaped by schooling and public institutions, alongside France’s regional languages.
French education system: The network of schools, universities, and public authorities responsible for education in France. Centralized schooling has helped transmit a common language and national history.
Ancien Régime: The political and social order of France before the Revolution of 1789. Its court culture and social hierarchy left enduring marks on French arts and institutions.
French literature: Literary works written in French, including fiction, poetry, drama, and essays from France and elsewhere. Its writers have shaped public debates about language, society, and national identity.
Regional languages of France: Languages historically spoken in parts of France alongside French, including Breton, Occitan, and Alsatian. Their histories complicate the idea that France has always been culturally or linguistically uniform.
Laïcité: A French principle of state secularism that separates public authority from religious institutions. It shapes debates about religion, public schools, and citizenship in contemporary France.
French National Day: France’s national holiday, observed on 14 July with ceremonies and public celebrations. Its parades and festivities turn revolutionary memory into a recurring civic ritual.
French Revolution: The political upheaval that began in 1789 and ended France’s absolute monarchy. Revolutionary ideas of citizenship, secular authority, and national symbols remain influential.
French New Wave: A French film movement of the late 1950s and 1960s known for formal experimentation and location shooting. It recast French cinema as a source of artistic innovation and international influence.
Multiculturalism: A political and social approach that recognizes and accommodates distinct cultural communities within a society. Its contrast with French universalist ideals frames debates over minority recognition.