Abstract

The ‘gastronomic meal of the French’ denotes the tradition of celebratory and festive meals in France. An intricate fusion of social behaviors, cultural practices, and culinary savoir-faire, the gastronomic meal, recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2010, conveys French cultural identity and values. This website explores the customary folklore of the gastronomic meal, examining how French values and beliefs find expression and contribute to the formation and transmission of cultural identity. Additionally, it examines aesthetic characteristics of the gastronomic meal and variations, as well as layers of context that enhance our understanding of the tradition.