Every year UNESCO attempts to identify traditions that need to be recognized as items of ‘intangible cultural heritage’. The idea is to demonstrate that civilization is more than monuments and historical objects.
France features 30 times on the list of intangibles; some mentions being to do specifically with overseas territories.
A few of traditions are shared with neighbouring countries; and others are of mainly regional interest such as festivities in Brittany, Limousin and the Pyrenees. That leaves five cultural distinctive traits to describe. It is significant that two of these involve eating.
Everyday eating in France has its mini-rituals but on special occasions people get together, as families, friends, clubs or communities over banquets which have a set structure: apéritif, starter, one or two main courses, cheese, dessert, coffee, liqueurs.
The emphasis is on good company and the pleasure of the taste buds. At the heart of the meal is the careful selection and preparation of the finest ingredients – local, if possible – which are matched with appropriate wines. The coming generation learns from the older one how to appreciate fine food and drink and to linger at table while enjoying conversation.
French baguette-making practices have been added to UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage listWhite bear studio / Shutterstock
2. The baguette
On every table, on every occasion, there will be an iconic French loaf. Around 30 million of them are bought each day to be converted into sandwiches or eaten as an accompaniment to a meal.
Some people won’t eat unless there is bread on the table. Although they all have roughly the same shape, conform to government decrees concerning their ingredients and are soft inside but crusty outside, baguettes vary enormously in their quality and taste, as any connoisseur will tell you.
This is a traditional system for training craftsmen and women that has its roots in the Middle Ages guilds. The aspirant commits to becoming an apprentice in a process which involves lessons in theory; the passing on of arcane professional knowledge and much on-the-job practice under the supervision of journeymen and masters.
He or she is expected to undertake a ‘tour de France’ so that his or her training is as wide as possible. The objective is to reach a standard of excellence.
KMEN2D Equestrian show in FontainebleauSerge Mouraret / Alamy Stock Pho
4. Equitation
France has a long tradition of the care, training and riding of horses which emphasizes the respectful relationship of human being and animal. The UNESCO citation especially singles out the Institut Français du Cheval et de l’Equitation which has its headquarters at Saumur and in particular the Cadre Noir, one of the big four of riding academies in the world.
Grasse (Alpes-Maritimes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region) and the surrounding area has been renowned for the production of perfume since at least the 16th Century.
A great many skilled people are involved in the expert cultivation and processing of scented herbs and the composition of the finished product.
