Bizarre Rules You Have To Follow In France

France is a fascinating place to visit with a wealth of interesting foods to try, impressive iconic landmarks, must-see castles, and a rich cultural heritage. It also has some peculiar rules and customs that add to its intrigue. From antiquated decrees that date back to the times of Napoleon to modern rulings that have caused some controversy, there are several bizarre rules you have to follow in France that may leave you scratching your head. Strange as they are though, it's important to be aware of them so that you don't find yourself running into trouble.

Prior to 1804, there was no single set of laws in France. That all changed with the French Revolution and the introduction of the Napoleonic Code, a unified civil code for all. Much of the French Civil Code hasn't changed much since that time, which is why you find some oddly outdated laws in France. Then there are the newer decrees that have been put in place to avoid modern problems such as alien invasions, electric scooter-related deaths, and the Americanization of school children. These laws may seem odd or even comical to outsiders, but they're real and enforceable. Here are some of the strangest.

France has had a long history of baby-naming laws. In 1803, Napoleon Bonaparte enacted a law stating that children could only be named French Christian names. It wasn't until 1966 that parents were given a little more leeway and legally permitted to give their children foreign, regional, and mythical names. In 1993, parents were finally given the right to name their children whatever they wished ... as long as the name was in the best interest of the child.

As it stands today, the French authorities can step in and deny a child's name if they believe it could be detrimental to the child. In these cases, the court can order the parents to choose a more suitable name for their child. Want to name your child Mini Cooper? Sorry, that won't fly. How about Nutella? Nope, that won't work either. Some other names that have been forbidden include Dameon, MJ (in honor of Michael Jackson), and Prince William. In many cases, the judges ruled against the names because they believed the child could be ridiculed.

Pageant parents be warned — beauty pageants for children are an absolute "non" in France. In 2014, the government passed an amendment to a law on women's rights that banned beauty pageants for children under 13. The rationale behind the law is to prevent the hyper-sexualization of children. As Chantal Jouanno, author of the amendment, told the Associated Press, "We are talking about children who are only being judged on their appearance, and that is totally contrary to the development of a child."

Anyone who enters a child under 13 in a beauty pageant or organizes a child beauty contest themselves can now face steep fines of up to €30,000 (about $32,400) or two years in jail. In addition, beauty pageants for children aged 13 to 16 are highly regulated. Article 58 of the law states, "Any person who organizes a competition for children under 16 based on appearance must obtain prior authorization from the State representative in the department. Only competitions whose organizational arrangements ensure the protection of the best interests of the child and their dignity may be authorized."

Shoveling food into your face as you frantically fire off emails is not allowed in France, and that's probably a good thing. Article R4228-19 of the French Labor Code states, "It is prohibited to let workers have their meals in the premises assigned to the work." If you've taken a job in France or plan on doing business during your time there, you'll have to leave the office to grab a bite. It's a great excuse to get some fresh air and indulge in some fabulous French food at a bistro or boulangerie.

According to food historian Martin Bruegel, the law was enacted in 1894 as a public health measure. He told NPR it was a way to get people out of the unsanitary workplaces and air out the spaces while they were gone. Eventually, leisurely lunches became ingrained in French culture. The law was briefly repealed during COVID-19, but came back into effect in 2022. Many people believe it should be back to stay. Bruegel points to the fact that lunch breaks increase productivity in the latter part of the day. He also told NPR, "People are just simply happier when they take some downtime during the workday. It's good for their well-being."

In 2018, Paris became the first city in Europe to allow shared, stand-up electric scooters in the city. Riders could download an app to locate the scooters, pay a fee to unlock them and ride them, and then leave them for someone else whenever and wherever their ride was done. However, on September 1, 2023, Paris also became the first European city to officially ban e-scooters. An overwhelming 90% of the people who voted opted for the ban.

According to the BBC, safety concerns were the main reason for the ban. The media outlet reported that in 2022 alone there were 459 injuries and three deaths from e-scooter accidents. The Guardian also cited the mess that the scooters made, referring to it as "city streets being clogged up by parked scooters toppled into heaps." You may not be able to grab an e-scooter anymore to go short distances in the city, but that may be for the best. Walking is still one of the best ways to get around Paris, as you can take in all the sights at a leisurely pace. Public transportation is another convenient option if you're stretched for time or have longer distances to go. 

No matter how strained relations may be between parents and their children in France, parents are still legally obligated to leave their children a portion of their estate. It's called an "inheritance reserve," and the percentage of the estate varies depending on how many children the parent has. Children can renounce the inheritance if they choose, but parents are locked in from the day the child is born.

France's forced heirship law made international news when French singer Johnny Halladay passed away in 2017, and it was revealed he cut his two eldest children out of his will. The singer had a house in L.A. and spent a considerable amount of time there before his death. He wrote his will in California, which stated that his entire estate was to go to his fourth wife Laeticia. Johnny's two eldest children contested the will, saying it contravened French law. According to France 24, Laeticia and the two older children eventually reached a settlement in 2020.

The French take their bread very seriously. In nearly every city, town, and commune you visit, there will be at least one bakery serving freshly baked goods like baguettes, brioches, and pastries. So beloved are boulangeries that there are laws in place to prevent bakers from burning out. Many regions in France have strict labor laws that require bakeries to close for a full 24 hours every week. Bakers who don't take their obligatory day of rest can face penalties.

In 2015, France 24 reported that an award-winning baker in Saint-Paul-lès-Dax was forced to close his shop for one day every week after the authorities discovered he was operating seven days a week. The Guardian reported another case from 2018 where a baker in Lusigny-sur-Barse stayed open all week long during the summer tourist season and was ordered to pay a €3,000 ($3,280) fine. In 2021, a baker in a Paris suburb flouted the law and was ordered to inform the court of his chosen day of rest or face €1,000 ($1,093) a day in fines, according to The Local.