If you had to spontaneously define France with one word, what would you choose? A study carried out on the subject shows that the French have a precise description of the perception of our country.
It is when we are asked what aspects we like about France that we realize its richness and diversity. From one region to another, customs change, as do accents. It is not tourists who will say the opposite since from an outside point of view, France is perceived as a cultured, refined and gourmet country. Do the French see France in the same way?
To do this, the online language learning platform Preply questioned – from April 9 to 19, 2024 – 1,515 residents in 15 large cities in France who have lived there for at least a year. Respondents were given the opportunity to choose 5 words that they would use to describe France. And, at the end, the site revealed a top 10 words and feelings that people most associate with France. The one that comes back the least? It is the word “warm” (16%) which is cited the least to designate the country… It is followed by “artistic” (18%) and “patriotic” (20.2%).
But then what are the words that come to people’s minds to describe France and the French? On the third step of the podium, the word “Traditional” wins (34.2%) while second place is given to “Gourmet” (37.5%). In the land of gastronomy, we are reassured!
And what is the word that far outweighs all others when it comes to our country? For respondents, it is the word “Historical” that best fits France (45.6%). It must be said that the history of our nation is particularly rich, from the Gauls to the Middle Ages, from monarchy to democracy and not to mention the multiple wars in which France has been involved over the centuries… Furthermore, France is also rich in its heritage which has stood the test of time. And you, what would you have answered to qualify France?
