Welcome to the simple Sophisticate Podcast, where intelligent living is paired with signature style.

I'm your host, Shannon Ables.

And whether you're listening on your commute, exercising, working in the garden, or sitting down with a hot cup of tea or a

cafe ole. Thank you for tuning in. Let's get started. In In today's podcast I am diving in to the French culture and sharing 10 ways to

unearth your inner francophile.

And in today's petite pleasure at the end of the podcast,

stay tuned for a recipe that is as decadent as it is simple.

So back to this passion for all things French. What are so many

people from around the world drawn to and thus freely proclaiming their francophile proclivities. What is it?

While some of you listening may know without question like myself that you have a strong fondness for the French way of life.

I'd like to share some attributes of the French culture

that can improve the quality of your everyday routine

and overall contentment, and perhaps unearth any of those unknown francophile

leanings that you have and kind of tap into those. All right? But first I'd like to go into a bit of history about this love of France. Where did it all begin?

Originally, it took root with supporters of the Enlightenment during and after the French Revolution.

Frankophiles, whether French or not, as we already know, were strong advocates for democratic

ideals or governments by the people, rather than understandably autocratic regimes, which would involve monarchies

and dictatorships which were very prevalent at that time in Europe.

And as Enlightenment prefers reason and intellectual thought over tradition merely for tradition's sake,

it's understandable how as a populace that was gradually gaining wider and wider access to education,

facts, and opportunity also came to appreciate the many ways

of life that the French integrated into their culture.

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