The Country

The French Republic, a nation of 65 million, is the world’s most popular tourist destination with over 82 million visitors last year alone. Located between Northern and Southern Europe, France is perched at the western tip of the European continent. It shares its borders with six other countries and the Channel Tunnel provides it with a link to the British Isles. The etymology of France is believed to have originated from the word ‘frank’, a proto-Germanic language, which essentially means ‘free people’.

France is a democratic republic led by a President, on a renewable five-year term, while the highest executive position in the country is the Prime Minister, who serves at the pleasure of the President. The governance of the republic falls under its two-tiered legislative body, the 898 strong Senate and National assembly, serving a six and five year term respectively.

The actual demographics of the country have long been a source of debate as it is constitutionally illegal to compile ethnic and racial data under the 1958 constitution. However, observers estimate that up to a third of the French population has foreign roots and two thirds identifies themselves as Catholics. France has the largest minority inhabitants of Muslim in Europe, with a majority of them descendants from former French colonies in Africa. French is the spoken by almost all of the citizens here.

Relationship With A French Woman

If you are thinking of starting a relationship with a French woman, you need to brace yourself to the fact that their society has a much more relaxed sense of decorum. For starters, they tend to appreciate beauty and they commonly express their appreciation of it to members of the opposite sex. Casual flirting is also the norm here and kisses between acquaintances are much more freely offered and given. However, it would be wrong to assume that this will lead to anything more as they are known to be relatively faithful in their relationship just like girlfriends from any other countries.

Marriage

Marriage is France is an elaborate and jovial affair. In the suburban areas, it is very common for the whole community to participate in the festivities.

On the morning of the wedding, the groom will call on his bride at her home and will accompany her to the chapel. Their groomsmen and bridesmaid, neighbors, relatives, friends (along with a musical band in tow) will escort them, with the parents making up the rear. Children will occasionally block the procession with white ribbons strewed along their path and will only remove it after receiving a toll from the groom.

Arriving at the chapel, one would be assaulted by the heavy scent of flowers and incense, liberally distributed. The couple and the priest would stand under a white silk canopy for the ceremony. Upon solemnization of the marriage, the couple and their guests would immediately head over to the wedding reception. Along the way, the couple and their attendants will distribute dragess (a traditional almond and chocolate nougat) to everyone they encounter, especially the children.

The reception will see the couple attempting a kiss over the croquembouch (a traditional multi-tiered wedding cake) without being smeared by the icing, an act believed to bring prosperity into the newlywed’s home. The couple would also drink from a traditional two-handled cup that would normally end up with the groom being splashed with wine.

Towards the end of the reception, the best man would undertake to perform the onerous task of removing the bride’s garters that would then be tossed to the waiting female crowd. It is believed that whoever catches the garter would be the next in line for marriage.

Upon conclusion of the ceremony, the couple would be escorted back to their new home. Later in the night, some remaining guest would start making loud noises in front of their home and will only cease after being invited for a nightcap by the groom.

Regulation

Marriage in France falls under the jurisdiction of the Bureau des Mariages (Marriage Bureau), and all marriages will be officiated by a mayor or city councilor. You will be required to provide copies of your travel and identification papers, health certificate and a no-impediment to marriage affidavit from your embassy at least forty days from the marriage date, whereupon a Bann will be published in the local municipality office for a period of no less than 30 days to register any objections to the marriage.