French-made goods have never been more desirable, and over 95% of French people see buying French products as a ‘citizen act’. But what has led them to care quite so much about local production? And do foreign brands still have a place in French people’s hearts?

New research shows that 40% of French people feel fast food is poor quality and overpriced. As a result, many are choosing to eat elsewhere – workers heading out for lunch in the week would rather go to the supermarket, or pick something up from a bakery, than grab a Big Mac.

With 85% of France’s 150,000 restaurants serving vacuum-packed and frozen food without telling customers, it’s difficult to know whether a meal is cooked fresh. France has introduced a ‘home-made’ label, serving as an indicator of how pre-prepared a meal is.

French know-how, heritage, and traditions are the essence of luxury. This expertise is acknowledged globally – nearly 85% of all French luxury goods are exported. But, with the rise of new markets such as China and Russia, is France still the world’s top reference for luxury?