Mort pour La France

As This French Life comments, last weekend much of France paused to remember those that had died for their country (or Mort pour La France as it says on the memorials in most villages).

Unlike in the UK the French remember their fallen on the 11th November (not the nearest Sunday), so Saturday 11th was an official French public holiday.

Knowing how much the French love their family life and that most shops close at lunchtime and on Sunday, I was quite suprised to find that although all the small shops were shut on the Saturday, most supermarkets and large stores were open; either for the whole day, or for the afternoon.
I hope this isn't a sign of a French trend towards UK-style consumerism and 24-by-7 shopping - I love the laid back lifestyle, lack of rush and time to relax.

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Categories: France, Brittany