French Culture Primer

Although many students who study in France do not need to speak French to have a wonderful experience, an understanding of the structure of the language and having a foundational vocabulary will enhance your experience, enable you engage with locals in a deeper way, and ease your travels and daily life.

Campus France resources on learning French

The joys of travel are threefold: preparing for your travels, travelling, and savoring the memories and integrating what you learn when you return home.

One way to prepare is to spend a few months pre-departure immersing yourself in French culture! Here are our tips: 
 

• FrenchCulture.org – Visit the website of the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the United States for a curated selection of the latest French cultural offerings in the United States
   
• French Culture Spotify Playlists – Your playlists need a refresh, check out these playlists of modern and classic French artists, curated by the discerning and impeccably hip staff of the French Cultural Services. 
   
• Film and Digital Media – What’s new in cinema and VR, as seen in France.
   
• Art and Design – News, events, interviews, and more. Your design primer for France.
   
• Institut Français Cinéma - Stream the best films from across the Francophone world at home, with IF Cinéma. 
   
• TV5 Monde - Browse shows and films, some available for streaming, and also check out TV5 Monde's resources for French learners. 

The Thing About France - The Thing About France is a podcast where cultural figures explore the fascinating and complicated relationship between France and America. Hosted by former Cultural Counselor for the Embassy of France in the United States, Bénédicte de Montlaur. Guests include Adam Gopnik, David Sedaris, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Gloria Steinem, and others! 

Putting together an eclectic, expansive reading list is one of the best ways to prepare for your time abroad. The profound learning comes that from a deep dive into the literary culture of a new place can shape your experience and give you a richer understanding of the sites you’ll see and people you’ll meet while studying in France.

As an integral part of the Cultural Services of the French Embassy, the Albertine Bookshop brings to life the French government’s commitment to French-American intellectual exchange. The space reflects its belief in the power of literature and the humanities to increase understanding and friendship across borders, and in the power of books as a common good for a better world. 

Visit Albertine in person in New York, or review reading lists and shop online. 

Albertine's collection includes books by French and Francophone authors (in both French and English), and is a good place to start your research on what's new in literature in France. 

In partnership with the Cultural Services, Albertine also hosts lively debates and discussions exploring popular and classical culture through a modern and global lens.

Map of France and it’s regions - Where will you be studying? Find your region on the map! 

Dive deeper into each region of France - Watch videos on the history, culture, cuisine, and environment in your region. 

Fiches région – Here you can find information on about 40 different cities and regions in France, and the services provided in these regions for international students specifically. 

One of the most universal pleasures of being in France is French cuisine, local farmer’s markets, and café culture. Here are a few suggestions to help students prepare their palate for their time in France: 

Let’s Eat France - French food critic François-Régis Gaudry's latest book Let’s Eat France!, is an encyclopedic and pleasurable account of 1,250 specialty foods, 375 iconic recipes, 350 topics, 260 personalities, plus hundreds of maps, charts, tricks, tips, and anecdotes and everything else you want to know about the food of France.

L’épicérie fine - In this TV5 Monde series, French chef Guy Martin shines a light on the regions and culinary specialties and agricultural products of France, highlighting the people and environments that bring France's culinary culture to life. 

Jours des marchés - This website gathers the location and opening times for hundreds of farmer's markets across France! 

Calendrier de saisons - Manger Bouger, a French government health campaign, has compiled a calendar of seasonal fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and seafood that you can download and keep for reference. Research before you arrive in France and make sure to buy local and seasonal when you can!