France banned serving alcohol with school lunches in 1956, but only for kids under 14. Before the 1950s, French children were not only allowed to drink wine, beer or cider in the canteen, but they were encouraged to do so.
France
France has two islands east of Canada…
France has two islands east of Canada, just off the coast of Newfoundland called Saint Pierre and Miquelon. Therefore, you can fly from Canada to France in an hour.
The American Revolution the…
The American Revolution the -ville suffix became popular in the names of new US settlements due to an increase of pro-French sentiments. After the Marque Lafayette visited the USA in 1824, many cities , towns and counties were name after him.
During the French Revolution France…
During the French Revolution France established a state-sponsored atheistic religion called the Cult of Reason to replace Catholicism. It only lasted about a year and was later banned by Napoleon.
In 1841 France almost broke off…
In 1841 France almost broke off relations with Texas due to a hotel owner’s marauding pigs eating the French ambassador’s bed linens.
France demanded billions…
France demanded billions in reparations from the Haitians for their freedom. Haiti was a successful slave revolt and one of many countries in the New World that fought to earn its freedom. France, a little pissed, after having lost its colony and its slaves said “OK, you’re free but you’re going to have to pay reparations to the slave owners.” The new country wasn’t exactly in a position to keep fighting so they agreed and France used its continued might to hold Haiti to the deal. That was 200-odd years ago.
In 1429, King Charles VII of France…
In 1429, King Charles VII of France exempted the town of Domrémy from paying taxes “forever”, after a promise to Joan of Arc. Taxes were imposed again during the French Revolution.
Marie Antoinette, Queen of France…
Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, was accused of single-handedly ruining France’s finances. Official estimates claim court expenses alone were 7% of France’s total budget but the real figure was a lot higher. She was given the name “Madame Déficit” during the French Revolution.
In mid-18th century France, eating…
In mid-18th century France, eating potatoes was considered cruel and unusual punishment: potatoes were thought of as feed for livestock, and they were believed to cause leprosy in humans. The fear was so widespread that the French passed a law banning them in 1748.
In 1907, Parisian waiters went on…
In 1907, Parisian waiters went on strike for the right to grow a moustache.