Did you know, from fur to fashion and the funkiest ways to get around, the French have refined an innovative lifestyle.

The French are famous for their food. They are people renowned for their ability to create simple, traditional, pleasant food. And also for the glamorous whole cuisine found the best restaurants. In France a combination of knowledge that has been passed on for centuries, the ability to find fresh, delicious produce and a love by the things in life have combined to create some stunning dishes. Staples such as fresh market produce, grapes and all forms of cheese have become synonymous with France. One of the most famous delicacies in France is “foie gras” Foie Gras is made from the liver of a duck or goose that has been specifically fattened. The taste and texture of foie gras is rich, creamy and buttery. Unlike other duck or goose livers it can be turned into mousse, parfaits, or pate’s and is usually served as an accompaniment with steak.

Truffles are a type of fungus like mushroom that grow underground of trees. They come in various forms, whites, black, Chinese, and summer truffles. They are considered the diamond of the kitchen. White truffles are generally served raw and shade over steaming buttered pasta or salads. Whites or black peppered in truffle slices maybe inserted into meats. It is reminiscent of fresh earth and mushrooms and when fresh their scent goes to the room almost instantly.

France is the reigning king of Haute Couture. Fashion has been an important industry and cultural export of France since the 17th Century and modern Haute Couture originated in Paris in 1860s. Shoppers in Paris can be treated to boutiques of all shapes and sizes, the—around this month is a haven for designer stores and the city is home or headquarters to many of the premiere fashion houses. Historically many of the world’s top designer and fashion houses have been French including Channel, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Armani, Guy Laroche, and Yves Saint Laurent. The Paris fashion houses also attract many foreign designers. France has long been synonymous with fashion and style. The luxury goods industry in France came increasingly under royal control and the French Royal Court became arguably the arbiter of taste and style in Europe. This gave way the notion that French were leaders in style and sophistication. They also became marketing designs to a broad public outside of the French. Straight from the catwalk to the street the French effortlessly blends style and sophistication with everyday wear.

For a cooler way to travel from one place to another without using the subway or a car, the French developed Parkour, maybe it’s not for everyone but for those who enjoy the thrill of leaping off buildings and back within down stair cases parkour is for you. Although it’s a little different from the traditional reserved French attitude parkour sees practitioners leaping, running, jumping and rolling from one place to another. Parkour was developed by a naval officer who traveled to Africa and was impressed by the skills of the natives. They worked with their environment and were incredibly strong and agile. He began to develop a system of physical education that was slowly implemented as part of the French military training regime. This type of training was furthered by practitioners such as David Belle and Sebastian Foucan who used their backgrounds in gymnastics and martial arts develop parkour. As they say, to be a parkour practitioner you have to think like a child. Parkour philosophy is against competition. It is about freedom of movement and expression. That’s why there had been no parkour games or parkour competitions. The most common way for people to get introduced to parkour is through stunts, movies and advertising campaign.