Traditions General Information

Nougat de Montelimar, a French confectionery

The nougat de Montelimar is a honey and almond-based confectionery and renowned Provençal specialty that was invented in Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq) during the 10th century

Easter Eggs, a pagan tradition turned Christian

Easter Eggs, a Christian tradition that take its roots in paganism, when ancient people considered eggs as the symbol of renewal, life and fecundity

Violet of Toulouse, a fragrant flower from Parma

The Violet of Toulouse was imported from the Italian city of Parma in the middle of the 19th century and is today the official emblem of the capital of the Occitanie region

French fries versus Belgian fries

You all know what French fries are, but do you know the origin of their name and the country they come from, France and Belgium?

Denim, invented in Italy and initially made in France

Denim, a heavy duty cotton based fabric initially produced in the Italian port of Genoa and later improved in the city of Nîmes in Southern France

Fleur de Lys – French monarchy’s emblem

The Fleur de Lys, the official emblem of the kings of France from 1150 to 1830, is not a lily but a yellow iris represented in a stylized form

Garden gnomes – Nains de jardin – Fun facts

Garden gnomes – nains de jardin are among the most common so-called decorative items found in French gardens, loathed by most people, worshiped by a few

Feathered animals in French colloquialisms

Here is a series of the most common and entertaining French colloquialisms related to feathered animals, along with their English translations

French food markets – colourful and lively

Our colorful and lively French food markets are highly popular with both locals and tourists, as they are major places of commercial and social exchanges