Category: Culture & Heritage
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The Gauls: France Before the Romans
Before France was France, there were the Gauls. Long before Julius Caesar marched his legions across the Alps, a proud people lived across the land we now call France. They built towns, forged iron, traded wine, and worshipped in sacred groves. The Romans called them Galli. The Gauls called themselves something closer to Celtae. This…
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The Chalk Cliffs of Étretat: What to Know Before You Visit
The chalk cliffs of Étretat rise straight from the English Channel on the Normandy coast — dramatic, white, and surprisingly accessible. This small town draws visitors for its arches, its clifftop walks, and its long connection to artists and writers who came here and stayed. Here is what you need to know before you go.…
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French Surnames of Corsica: Origins, Meanings and Family Heritage
Discover the most common French surnames from Corsica, their Italian and Genoese origins, and how to trace your Corsican ancestry through French and Italian records.
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French Surnames of Île-de-France: Origins, Meanings and Family Heritage
Discover the most common French surnames from Île-de-France, their origins, meanings and how they spread from Paris to Québec, Louisiana and beyond.
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What Really Happens in France on Bastille Day
Every year on 14 July, France stops completely. Not just Paris — but every village, every coastal town, and every mountain hamlet across the country. Tourists see the fireworks. The French see something far older. Photo: Love France Why the French don’t call it Bastille Day The English-speaking world calls it “Bastille Day.” The French…
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French Café Culture: Why the French Never Eat at Their Desks
Discover what makes French café culture unique — from the sacred 2-hour lunch break to the art of ordering un café. Why the French never eat at their desks, and how to sit like a local.
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French Surnames of the Basque Country: Origins, Meanings and
Photo: Photo by Jp Valery on Unsplash What’s your name in French? 🇫🇷 Your French Name — type any first name for the French equivalent, with meaning and regional notes. There is a moment, standing in the market square of Saint-Jean-de-Luz on a warm September morning, when you notice that the names on the shop…
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Les Grandes Vacances: How the French Do Summer
Discover how the French do summer — from les grandes vacances traditions to sun-soaked Riviera beaches, Provençal markets, and the art of doing nothing beautifully. French summer holidays explained.
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Alsace: The Region That Was French, Then German, Then French
Alsace sits on France’s border with Germany. In 74 years, this single region changed nationality four times. No other part of Europe has a story quite like it — and no other landscape holds the marks of history so visibly in its streets and its people. Image: Shutterstock A Land Between Two Nations Alsace lies…
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French Work Culture vs American Work Culture: Why the French
A café terrace on Rue de Buci, Paris. Photo: zoetnet, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Thinking about it seriously? If you’ve started actually planning a move, our complete our complete Moving to France guide walks through every step, every cost, and the paperwork that catches most people out. Love France? Join the community 🇫🇷…
