30 Fun Facts About the French

France is one of the most-visited countries, so we thought it would be fun to compile a list of interesting facts you may not know about French culture – from their motto of liberte, egalite, fraternite to their passion for cheese and even how putting an upside-down baguette onto a table can be considered unlucky!

Joan of Arc

Joan was born during France’s war against England and her village of Domremy was under siege. Living in an age when women weren’t permitted to join the military, Joan believed she was called on by God to fulfill an extraordinary task – leading the French army and helping Charles recover his throne during the Hundred Years War.

Joan began hearing voices she believed were sent by God telling her what to do. These voices instructed Joan to approach King Charles IX and win France the battle – she managed to convince the monarchy of this, convincing him that Joan should travel with the army wearing protective armor; Joan then led France to victory while being injured along the way.

Joan emphatically denied allegations of heresy when she was arrested, insisting she merely obeyed commands from voices she believed were telling her what to do. Joan requested a fair trial which included French clerics but this request was denied; during her trial transcripts were altered in an effort to convict her, although since she was illiterate she didn’t realize they had been altered.

Joan was eventually sentenced to her death by burning at the stake, though many saw this act as heretical at first. Later canonized in 1909 as Saint Joan of Arc – patron saint of soldiers and France.

France offers plenty of fascinating facts that are sure to surprise and amuse, from its birthplace of hot air balloons to legality of kissing on train platforms; here are 30 fun facts that will provide a deeper understanding of this fascinating nation.

Number plates

Are You A Car Enthusiast? Learn About French Number Plates Now

Number plates were first introduced into France some 120 years ago and remain an iconic representation of French culture today. Their elegance and style make them a mark of distinction that also displays their national identity; each plate includes not only the country name but also information regarding nationality and occupation of its driver.

At present, French license plates contain seven characters – the first two letters indicate which state and departement the vehicle is registered, with four additional digits serving as vehicle identification numbers; this plate must be renewed every year.

The current system, introduced in 2009, was specifically created for police officers to oversee easily. French people have always taken great pride in maintaining orderly society – this system proves this fact! This initiative has proven its worth and made France safer for everyone.

Another interesting characteristic of French number plates is that they feature department codes which identify where a vehicle is registered, something less frequently seen elsewhere in other countries. This feature makes traveling easier as it helps travelers quickly identify where their destination lies in a new country, and has even become an iconic cultural symbol in France and used to distinguish citizens from different regions.

As another way of distinguishing Parisians and non-Parisians, when Parisian drivers drive past you on the highway you should always sound your horn and shout “Rentre chez toi, Parigot!” to make them aware they have entered your jurisdiction. This will alert them of what has occurred.

Baguettes upside-down

Baguettes are not simply delicious snacks in France – they are an integral part of daily life and come with their own set of rules and superstitions.

One such superstition dictates that it is bad luck to place an upside-down baguette on a table, according to Flavors of Paris. Doing this may bring bad fortune and create hunger curse for both you and anyone else who eats the bread this way.

The baguette is a long loaf of yeasted flatbread bread that is immensely popular throughout France and elsewhere around the world, but particularly beloved there. Often served alongside meals as an accompaniment or used to make sandwiches or other food items.

At French restaurants, it is common practice for diners to begin their meals with a baguette. Many use pieces as saucers for any leftover food on their plates, though many also eat the bread itself as part of their meal.

French culture is notoriously superstitious. They have numerous rituals to predict whether good luck or bad will follow them, such as when salt spills on their dinner party table; to rid themselves of bad fortune, the French will throw a pinch of it over their left shoulder in order to throw off bad omens.

One such superstition relates to apero, the French equivalent of happy hour. At this event, people gather together for drinks and snacks such as chips, peanuts, pretzels, olives and olives; it provides the ideal opportunity to relax before sitting down to dinnertime.

Kissing on train platforms

France is widely recognized as one of the world’s most romantic countries, boasting many breathtaking attractions that draw travelers in like no other nation can. From Paris’ iconic Eiffel Tower and Bordeaux’s world-class wines to Provence’s lavender fields and Brittany’s sparkling coastlines – France stands as an undisputed champion of joie de vivre. But how much do you really know about its capitalist inhabitants who created hot air balloons and immortalised a pig named Napoleon in pop culture? Take a look at these 30 fun facts about France to gain some additional knowledge!

One unexpected fact about France may come as a shock: kissing on train platforms was once illegal! A law was instituted in 1910 to discourage couples from kissing at train station platforms to reduce overcrowdedness and delays; this law has since been lifted so you can once more enjoy romantic scenes like those seen in 1945 movie Brief Encounter.

French culture is full of quirky customs, one being their custom of greeting each other with two kisses (or sometimes three or four) on each cheek when meeting someone new – known as “faire le bise” in French – to show appreciation of those around them. Additionally, when meeting loved ones after an absence is always nicer!

As a serious matter, kissing on the lips while crossing a street in Paris isn’t recommended – as its streets can become extremely congested with cars and people whizzing by at breakneck speed. While this might seem risky, kisses on greeting are perfectly safe when giving someone a quick peck on the lips when greeting someone new!

One may mistake the French for being arrogant and uptight people, but you’d be amazed to discover their tolerance of other cultures is among one of the main factors for their openness towards foreigners. Additionally, this curiosity often manifests itself into strange superstitions or beliefs – such as some believing placing an upside-down baguette brings misfortune or even death!