Day 2366 (Thursday) 30th November 2023

No special photos today…

 

It was grey, wet and horrible this morning and it stayed that way all day. Huw worked in the big apartment all morning.

Here are some more French traditions…

French Fashion

France is known for its fashion, but some French fashion traditions may seem strange, uncomfortable or unusual to visitors. Here an example:

Women Sometimes Wear a Skirt or Heels While Riding Bikes

The fantasy is true.

Although not every woman rides around on bikes in high heels, it’s completely normal to do so. I often see women biking to and from work wearing business attire or work clothes. In the summertime, women will wear their summer dresses and ride bikes around town where we live in Montpellier. 

French Food Traditions

French cuisine is famous for its delicious flavours, rich history, and intricate cooking techniques that have inspired chefs around the world. However, some French traditions surrounding food might seem strange or even bizarre to tourists visiting the country for the first time, such as eating raw beef dishes such as steak tartare or enjoying really, really stinky French cheeses. 

These food traditions might make some visitors feel a bit queasy. But for the French, these culinary habits are entirely normal and integral to their food culture.

Dipping a Croissant or Piece of Baguette into Your Morning Cup of Coffee is Delicious.

No doubt you’ve seen or even tried dipping biscotti bread into your cup of coffee or a cookie into a glass of milk.

Some French folks like to slather a little butter or jam on a chunk of baguette or a croissant and then dip it into their coffee.

Eat Your Salad After the Main Dish, Not Before

In some cultures, you eat the salad course before the meal, but that’s not always the case in France. 

Some people in France eat a salad after the main course. If there is a cheese course, salad is sometimes eaten with it after the meal. 

However, the tradition of eating salad after the main course is not a universal practice in France, and there is no strict rule or expectation that everyone should do so. Like many culinary traditions, the way that salad is served and consumed in France can vary depending on factors such as regional differences, personal preferences, and the occasion or context of the meal.

Eat Cheese After the Meal but Before Dessert. 

Choices, choices. It’s not unusual to finish almost every meal with a small piece of cheese. Just make sure you eat it before the dessert, not after. 

The rule of thumb in French cuisine is Salé avant sucré (savoury before sweet). This means if you order a dessert, you eat it after the cheese plate. The cheese plate will be your last dish if you don’t order a dessert.

Entrée (appetizer)

Plat (main course)

Salad and cheese: (together or as separate courses with cheese coming after the salad)

Dessert

The Stinkier The Cheese, The Better

While a pungent, strong-flavoured stinky cheese may be off-putting to some, stinky cheese is generally considered to be wonderful in France and an important part of the country’s culinary tradition.

Some of the most well-known stinky cheeses include Roquefort, Camembert, Munster, Époisse and Maroilles, each of which has a unique flavour profile that can range from creamy and buttery to sharp and tangy.

So, while stinky cheese may smell and taste like dirty socks to you, it’s considered to be a delicious and important part of French culinary heritage.

French Breakfast Never Involves Eggs or Savoury Food

Eggs, bacon, and omelets for breakfast? Non, non, non, mon ami.

These are savoury food items eaten for lunch or dinner. Breakfast in France is strictly continental: bread, confiture, Nutella, yogurt, coffee, even cereal, etc.

Eggs Are Always Sunny Side Up In France.

When it comes to Fried eggs, there’s no official word like “over medium eggs” or “over easy eggs” in the French language. Many French people aren’t even aware that it’s normal to order eggs cooked on both sides in other countries. 

That’s because fried eggs are almost always served sunny side up and are usually a component of another meal for lunch or dinner. Such as on Crêpe bretonne, or on a croque monsieur. 

You Can Order a Pizza With a Sunny-Side-Up Egg in France.

Forget pepperoni pizza in France. It’s just not a thing. However, ordering a “Pizza jambon oeuf,” Ham and egg pizza, is completely normal. It’s just assumed that the egg will be sunny side up. 

Omelettes are Usually for Lunch and Dinner in France, Not Breakfast.

As I mentioned, a French breakfast traditionally consists of simple and light fare, such as a croissant or a baguette with butter and jam, accompanied by coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.

Omelettes are more commonly eaten for lunch or dinner. 

That being said, modern French breakfasts have become more diverse and international, and it’s not uncommon to find omelettes or other egg dishes for breakfast on the menu at French cafes and restaurants in areas that attract tourists. 

You Can Buy Horse Meat at a Horse Butcher Shop: “Boucheries Chevalines.”

Eating horse meat is not common in some parts of the world, so it may surprise you that there are French butcher shops that specialise in selling horse meat. They’re called Boucheries chevalines.

Horse meat has a long history and is still part of France’s culinary traditions. It is typically consumed in a variety of dishes, such as sausages and stews, and even raw in dishes like tartare.

Horse meat consumption in France has been controversial at times. In the 1970s, there was a huge scandal when it was discovered that some butchers were selling horse meat labelled as beef. The public was outraged, which led to changes in labelling laws. Also, some animal rights activists have protested against the practice of eating horse meat and the poor conditions in which horses are raised and slaughtered.

Despite these controversies, many French people continue to enjoy horse meat as a part of their diet, and boucheries chevalines can still be found in many parts of the country.

Pièce Montée: The French Wedding Cake That’s Not a Cake

 

Foreigners who attend a French wedding, baptism or important festive event might be a little surprised when there’s a huge multi-tiered architectural masterpiece made of small confectionaries instead of a cake for dessert.

This highly anticipated dessert is a giant croquembouche called une pièce montée (mounted piece).

You Can Drink Coffee or Hot Chocolate From a Bowl in The Morning.

Don’t freak out if you ever get invited to someone’s home, and they pour you a cup of tea, hot chocolate, or coffee in a bowl.

Savour this French tradition.

There’s a Whole Day Dedicated to Eating Crêpes

February 2nd in France is called la chandeleur, and it’s customary to eat crêpes on this day.

You Can Order a Beer at the Movie Theatre and at Fast Food Places Like McDonald’s

McDonald’s in France has a different menu than in other countries. While McDonald’s in many countries only serves soft drinks and other non-alcoholic beverages, it’s legal for fast food restaurants to sell beer.

This goes back to the French culture of enjoying wine or beer with meals, even in fast-food restaurants. 

Drinking beer in a fast food chain such as McDonald’s has become a popular choice for those looking to enjoy a quick meal and a drink.

McDonald’s is much more popular in France than you think.