France it is rich with the traditions which have developed throughout many centuries. The food and alcohol play important role in the French society and reflect heritage, the social status and the relations of people.
Having lived two years in the French province, having traveled all over a country quarter, having got friends, the house, I learned not only to cook caramel cream, to bake croissants and to understand wines. The live French culture allowed to be in a stream of the present moment without worship and bias.
It was not simply pleasant pastime, though carried out with the great pleasure, but also fascinating acquaintance to traditions. To us is to that to learn at Frenchmen. And my story is to be begun from far away, with their sources.
The culture of the knightly ideals which has arisen in Provence in the 11th century, existed only three eyelids. Religious wars tried to destroy it ruthlessly. And though historically it developed that the French culture was influenced by Celtic, gallo-Roman, franksky and German tribes, apparently, France still stores spirit of a medieval era. To this day on the areas of the cities clowns, circus actors, musicians act. During performances they are surrounded by crowds of people. In ancient times such actors called troubadours.
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Nara Reynbou, personal archive -
Nara Reynbou, personal archive -
Nara Reynbou, personal archive -
Nara Reynbou, personal archive -
Nara Reynbou, personal archive -
Nara Reynbou, personal photo -
Nara Reynbou, personal archive -
Nara Reynbou, personal archive -
Nara Reynbou, personal photo -
Nara Reynbou, personal archive
The word "trobador" in old Provencal language means «the hunter, the researcher», from it there was English «troubadour» – wandering the minstrel in Southern France. Troubadours glorified courtois love, knightly feats and an image of the Fine Lady. The philosophy and Renaissance poetry, romanticism of the XIX century continued to sing of ideas of ancient troubadours. And it is possible, from the heroic past Frenchmen derive inspiration for an everyday life. However it is worth to remember that troubadours, wandering in search of sacred Graal, making noble acts for the sake of the ladylove, possessing fidelity to the king and the queen, could be inclined to violence.
Frenchmen very much love and honor the history. In the west of France in the province Vondey is constructed Pyyu du Fu’s thematic park. In the territory of 50 hectares the medieval cities, the galo-Roman Colosseum, the village of 1000 settled down, whose fortress was plundered by Vikings, and many other things. I drink du Fu is the grandiose show visited by thousand adults and children from all over the world. Directly open-air on the improvised stage scenes of historical events from the Middle Ages and before the Second World War are developed. This park – the best textbook of history ever created for studying and pleasure.
From humdrum of life to world theatrical performances, from household realities to windmills the French love to freedom and beauty is shown. Modern troubadours continue to investigate key relics of the country: its world famous culinary masterpieces and wine, her writers and artists, tremendous tourist appeal of its cities and villages. Ancient castles are redeemed in a private property and altered in hotels. In them there live people. In churches pass services, in the afternoon there it is possible to come, admire freely frescos, to light candles. In France monuments are carefully protected.
The majority of people associate the French culture with Paris – the center of a fashion, kitchen, art and architecture. But life outside of fires of the capital is not less various and saturated.
Frenchmen possess special passion and skill in preparation of dishes and a batch. Inhabitants of the capital and the large cities are less conservative, but in rural regions of tradition do not change and adhere to the old checked recipes.
French cuisine – sometimes graceful, sometimes cozy and always delightful – can be frightening complexity for the beginner. Its originality is conclusive and presented by unique methods of world famous culinary school. Frenchmen are proud of exclusive technicians of preparation of dishes. The fertile soil provides with it fresh fruit, vegetables, greens, cereals and meat almost all the year round. It is ideally suited for cultivation of grapes which is used for manufacturing of the wines best in the world.
Many typical French food and drinks can be found all over the world, but they will always associate with France.
Coq au vin – chicken prepared in red wine with mushrooms and garlic.
Crepes – the pancakes stuffed with fruit and cream.
Baguette – a baguette, the French bread.
Chocolate mousse – air chocolate mousse.
Eclair – eclairs, cakes with a stuffing from cream and covered with glaze.
Creme Brulee – caramel cream, a custard topped with firm caramel.
Champagne – champagne, the name occurs from the name of the Province of Champagne.
Chardonnay – wine of Chardonnay as believe, arose in France.
Merlot, Burgundy – Merlot and the Burgundian wine.
Truffles – truffles, not sweets and mushrooms which grow under trees in wood areas.
That is interesting, Frenchmen not always used garlic, mushrooms and truffles. Till the 15th century of seasoning and an ornament served for masking of the spoiled food.
Southern France is rich with mushrooms, ducks, Provencal herbs, tomatoes and the olives borrowed from the next Mediterranean kitchens. Northern France also represents the remarkable range of tastes, giving particular attention to dairy products, pork, potatoes, sausage and beer. On all country meat of wild animals is especially popular during a hunting season which lasts from an early autumn till February. Irrespective of the region cheese and wine take the central place in culture of a food. Even in small villages surprises abundance and a variety of cheese and wine on counters of shops.
The food and alcohol play important role in the French society and reflect heritage, the social status and the relations of people. At the time of Louis XIV board (1661–1715) the nobility carried out to holidays at tables for twelve hours. More than ten various dishes moved. The presentation of food was as is important, as taste and quality of components. Such festivals were too expensive and demanded a lot of time for simple people. However they tried to follow traditions as could. Rich owners treated guests with exotic fruit and spices, such as, for example, кумкват (with an easy kislinka and a sweet peel, it is similar to tangerine) and the yellow saffron, brought by travelers from Africa and Asia. Soon these products were included in the French diets.
The French traditions are connected with holidays. Besides Christmas and Easter which is marked out in all European countries, where Catholicism – dominating religion, France has also the gala days.
For example, Poisson D’Avril is translated as easter fish and is very similar to an April Fools’ joke. Children and many adults cut out fish from paper and attach it to a back, run down the street, speaking to "an April small fish».
Day of a capture of the Bastille is celebrated on July 14 in memory of 1789 when prison the Bastille storm was taken by the annoyed French citizens. This event marked the beginning of Great French revolution.
France is rich with the traditions. And for foreigners, it appears, it is most important to remember that Frenchmen love, when visitors speak in their language. Sometimes, having heard English speech, they seem angry, spiteful. What to do, customs are that. Let’s not be beeches, however. To learn some words in French it is simple. And then it is possible to feel, as quality of stay in this surprising country changes.