The French are known for many things including fashion, the foreign legion and unfortunately smoking as well as many rules.

Just walking can be described as French. To “balade” you must remain aloof from the lesser minions around you.

Dressed immaculately in the most avant garde style you display yourself as if this is completely normal for a quick trip to the grocery store.

The other great French art is the the art of bread making found in Artisan Boulangeries throughout France.

The French government has very specific guidelines for defining and regulating the iconic  baguette. A ‘baguette’ must weigh between 250-300 grams, measure between 55 and 65 centimeters in length, and can only contain four ingredients: flour, salt, yeast and water.  You can buy a baguette “tradition” or “ordinaire”.  The main difference is preservatives are  added to the baguette ordinaire.  Lastly, the baguette is price controlled in France, about 1.30Euro.  

There is even a competition in Paris for the best baguette maker. The winner receives bragging rights, and the contract to make bread for the President’s office for a year. Most likely not an unsubstantial reward.

The last art that we have yet to understand is how the French seem to stay so skinny.