Stuff we’ve heard about France. Can you confirm it? Anybody?

1. In France, everybody stops for lunch from 11am to 3pm. During these hours it is illegal to operate machinery.

2. It is essential to say ‘Bonjour Monsieur/Madame’ when entering shops. If you do not do this the owner can legally throw you out their shop.

3. Drink driving is not illegal, and is encouraged in some areas.

4. The French driving test is very simple and basically involves driving a car in a straight line.

5. The French are serious about the onion, which is considered to be holy. Some churches hold onion festivals.

6. The police (Gendarmes) are not there to help you. Do not call them, they will probably arrest you, unless you speak French.

7. Wearing a beret in certain towns can be used as a signal to show you are a homosexual.

8. It is illegal to call a pig Napoléon, or Jean-Pierre.

9. In the small town of Chalon-sur-Saône, it is against the law to wear frilly underwear on Sundays.

10. Adultery is encouraged and couples often stray from their partners, often with animals.