Module 4
Understanding French Culture
From greetings and humour to the rhythm of daily life, France has its own unspoken rules. This module helps you understand how French culture works, so you can connect more easily, avoid culture shock and feel right at home.
French culture... in three words
To understand modern France, you need to start with three words: Liberté (Freedom), Égalité (Equality) and Fraternité (Brotherhood, or Solidarity). The motto first emerged during the French Revolution of 1789, a time when ordinary citizens rose up against monarchy and privilege. Today, these words are more than just a motto – they capture the ideals that shape everything from education to small talk.
1. Liberté
France takes freedom seriously — not just political freedom, but the freedom to think, speak and live independently. People are encouraged to question authority, voice opinions and debate ideas. If you’re used to polite agreement, this can feel like confrontation, but it’s really a form of respect.
2. Égalité
French society prides itself on treating everyone as equals, at least in principle. Titles and hierarchies exist, but so does a strong belief that every citizen deserves the same rights and opportunities. This explains the passion for fairness, social debate and the occasional protest march.
3. FraternitéI
Fraternité goes deeper than friendship — it’s about solidarity. That sense of belonging to a shared social fabric still runs deep today: colleagues lunch together, neighbours strike together and public life often revolves around collective causes.
What are the main cultural differences with Britain?
Even though France and Britain share a long history, they often approach life in strikingly different ways. Of course, individuals can vary widely in their approaches to life, but here are some of the biggest cultural differences that Brits living in France tend to notice.
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Politeness is about friendliness – being warm and informal.
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Politeness is using respectful language (bonjour, vous, titles).
POLITENESS
DISAGREEMENT
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Indirectness and humour are how to handle conflict.
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Open disagreement is encouraged – it shows you care about the issue.
PUNCTUALITY
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Punctuality is important. Otherwise you're wasting someone's time.
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If you arrive within 30 mins of the time, it doesn't even count as late.
EMOTIONAL EXPRESSION
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Emotional restraint is a virtue; “keeping calm” is cultural gold.
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Emotional expression is healthy. If you're angry, let it out and move on.
NATIONAL PRIDE
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National pride is a bit over the top, or even politically dubious.
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France is a unique country and we should be proud to be French.
LANGUAGE
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There are varieties of English. As long as you're understood, you're fine.
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There is one correct way to speak French, and anything else is wrong.
BUREAUCRACY
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Bureaucracy is seen as annoying. It just gets in the way.
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Bureaucracy is the backbone of civic life, and its rules protect equality.
The Psychology of Cultural Adaptation
Adjusting to life in France isn’t just about learning the language — it’s about how your brain adapts to an entirely new environment. Psychologists call this process cultural adaptation: the gradual journey from excitement, through confusion, to feeling truly at home. Most people go through three phases — and understanding them can make the ride much smoother.
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Honeymoon Phase
At first, everything feels magical — the architecture, the croissants, even the bureaucracy seems charmingly French. You’re energised by novelty and proud of every small victory, from ordering coffee to navigating the métro. Enjoy it!
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Adjustment Period (Culture Shock)
After a few months, frustration can creep in. The systems seem confusing, social cues feel ambiguous and homesickness hits hard. You might catch yourself comparing everything to “back home”. This stage is completely normal — it’s your brain recalibrating. remember: struggling doesn’t mean you’re failing; it means you’re adapting.
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Cultural Adaptation
Gradually, things start to click. You begin to predict how interactions will go, misunderstandings turn into inside jokes and you feel at ease switching between cultural “settings”. You haven’t lost your old identity, you’ve added a new one. This is the moment you realise France isn’t just where you live – it’s become part of who you are.
The cultural mistakes my students often make...
Julienne, French teacher to expats
People say the French are rude – but half the time, it’s just that foreigners skip the greeting ritual. You must say "bonjour" before anything. It’s like knocking before you enter someone’s home. Another common mistake is smiling at strangers, asking too many personal questions — it comes across as invasive. The French keep distance at first, but it’s not coldness; it’s respect for privacy. Friendship takes time here. Oh, and don’t hug! The French aren’t big huggers. La bise looks intimate, but it’s actually less personal than a bear hug.
Foreigners also often expect constant positive feedback. Here, no news is good news. If your boss isn’t criticising you, you’re doing fine. Humour is also a bit different, and British self-deprecation sometimes confuses the French — they don’t always get that you’re joking. And we have a lot of rules around food. For instance, never cut your lettuce with a knife. Don’t ask for coffee before dessert. And don’t take the biggest slice of cheese — that’s just bad form!
The cultural mistakes my students make...
Julienne, French teacher to expats
Dealing with Culture Shock
Culture shock can sneak up on you — frustration, fatigue, even a bit of loneliness. But there are concrete ways to get through it. In this video, we share simple strategies to help you regain calm and connection.
Key Takeaways
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Learn the Language – Even basic French will help you feel more connected.
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Stick to a Routine – Keep a consistent sleep schedule, eat well, and engage in familiar activities.
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Build a Support Network – Connect with both locals and other expats.
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Shift Your Perspective – Instead of resisting differences, approach them with curiosity. Adaptation doesn’t mean losing your identity – it’s about learning and growing.
Getting Plugged Into France
To really understand France, you have to tune in to what the French are talking about — the debates, the humour, the radio voices on your morning commute. Here are some of the best French and bilingual media outlets to help you stay informed, improve your ear and feel part of the national conversation.
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France 24 (French & English)
France’s international news channel — crisp, fast-paced coverage of politics, culture and global affairs, with both French and English streams for tuning your ear and your perspective
Le Monde Diplomatique (French & English)
Deep-dive journalism on world politics, economics and culture. Expect long reads, maps and sharp French analysis that challenges assumptions and broadens how you see the world.
RFI (Radio France Internationale) (French & English)
Global radio news from a French perspective. Offers clear, slow-spoken segments in "Français facile" – perfect for learners wanting real French without being overwhelmed.
The Connexion (English)
An English-language newspaper for expats in France — practical and well-researched. Covers bureaucracy, daily life, tax, healthcare and the small joys (and pains) of French living.
The Local France (English)
Smart, up-to-date English news on French politics, society and culture. Great for decoding local headlines and understanding what everyone’s talking about at the café.
France Inter (French)
France’s most-listened-to public radio station – witty morning talk, live news, culture and commentary with that mix of intellect and humour only French radio can pull off.
France Culture (Radio France) (French)
Long-form radio that feeds the mind – philosophy, psychology, history and the arts. Like an espresso shot for your intellect, best enjoyed with a croissant.
Konbini (French, English subtitles)
Youth media at its most playful – short, colourful videos mixing humour, politics and pop culture. Think TikTok meets current affairs, à la française.
Brut. (French, English subtitles)
Bite-sized social videos on the issues shaping modern France – climate, identity, equality and daily life. Fast, visual journalism that’s informative and surprisingly addictive.
How I started feeling at home in France...
Stephen, 52, originally from Belfast
The first few months in Lyon were brutal. Everyone seemed impatient, the admin was endless, and every time I opened my mouth in French, someone corrected me. I thought the French were cold — but really, I was just exhausted from feeling out of place.
Around month four, something shifted. I stopped taking everything personally and started watching how people interacted — the quick debates, the hand gestures, the unspoken politeness of bonjour. I realised it wasn’t rudeness, it was rhythm. Once I caught that rhythm — arguing a bit, laughing a bit — things started to flow.
Now I actually love the same things that used to drive me mad: the debates, the paperwork, even the long lunches. It’s not that France changed — I did. I stopped surviving here and started living here.”
How I started feeling at home in France...
Stephen, 52, originally from Belfast
