Embracing Chinese Traditions Among French Communities

At the Carrefour event, Boyan also provided Hanfu for the supermarket staff, adding to the festive atmosphere. One staff member, a young woman from Argentina who stayed in France after her studies, shared her excitement. When someone asked her about the feeling of wearing Hanfu, she said she felt lucky to try “a tiny piece” of Chinese culture.

Indeed, just a quick taste of a tiny piece.

This reflects how many approach foreign cultures—polite but somewhat detached. Yet for Zhong, even a small taste is an opportunity. Chinese culture is vast, and even a small taste can leave a lasting impact.

Apart from the unique charm of Chinese culture, She also attributes Boyan’s success to France’s inclusiveness and diversity, which allows them the freedom to showcase Chinese traditions.

“For example, today, before the performance, I took my daughter to school while already dressed in my dance costume, with the Hanfu for the show underneath and my traditional hairstyle done,” Xie said. “I took the metro and bus, making several transfers, and felt completely at ease.”

“It’s like how many African women in France wear their traditional robes. No one criticizes them for it; everyone is free and unashamed,” she said.

What’s even more delightful, Xie added, is that they often receive compliments when wearing Hanfu in public. “People often tell us we look beautiful on the street, and sometimes on the bus, they even offer us their seats, which makes us feel respected.”

Zhong noted that Hanfu wearers are sometimes mistaken for Japanese. To clear this up, Boyan members printed stickers reading “Chinese Hanfu” in French to give to curious passersby. “The French are very respectful,” Zhong explained. “Once they know it’s Chinese Hanfu, they correct themselves right away. It (the mislabeling) is not intentional; they just didn’t know.”

The French have shown remarkable enthusiasm for traditional Chinese culture. According to Zhong, large public events organized by Boyan, like the annual Shangsi Festival, attract between 800 and 2,000 attendees per hour, many of whom are French.

The Shangsi Festival, traditionally celebrated on the third day of the third month of the Chinese lunar calendar, originated from ancient Chinese spring outings and river bathing intended for health and well-being. At this year's Shangsi Festival outing hosted by Boyan, about 40% of the participants were foreigners. Chinese and international attendees, dressed in Hanfu, sat along both sides of a 30-meter tea table and took part in a series of traditional festival activities.

The association has also attracted many French people, especially the middle-aged and the elderly, who are interested in Chinese culture. "We have a lot of members in their 50s and 60s because they have more free time, said Zhong. “Once they develop an interest, they’re incredibly committed, often more so than us.”

Zhong shared an example from the tea class, noting how diligent the French students are. She explained that they meticulously document each tea tasting, recording details like the color and temperature of each brew.

Some older members, unfamiliar with computers, would handwrite their notes and ask their children to type them into Word documents, even printing them out with pictures. They carefully labeled each infusion, detailing the grams of tea used and the tea’s color.

“Some French students take their tea documentation a step further,” she said. “They use their phones to photograph each brew and add detailed notes on the color and flavor.”

In contrast, Zhong observed that Chinese students often forgot their assignments and could only vaguely recall how the tea had been brewed in the previous session.

Philippe Tonnerre, a 62-year-old tea enthusiast, stands out among the tea students. Forced into early retirement due to health issues, Philippe felt aimless and bored—until a chance encounter changed everything.

At a Chinese cultural exhibition, he met Boyan members demonstrating Kung fu tea, a traditional Chinese tea ceremony focused on precise brewing techniques. This sparked a deep passion for Chinese tea culture. Though Philippe had been part of a French tea association before, his experience with Boyan ignited a new, unwavering dedication to exploring Chinese tea traditions.

Since joining Boyan, Philippe said his life has become much more fulfilling. No longer stuck in a monotonous routine, he now finds joy in learning tea arts and taking part in the association’s various cultural events. 

In addition to his love for tea culture, Philippe also has a deep passion for Hanfu. He rarely misses any of the association’s events, and whether it's the Lantern Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, or Spring Festival parades, Philippe is always dressed in Hanfu, fully immersed in the celebrations. For him, Hanfu is more than traditional clothing—it’s a gateway to connect with Chinese culture on a deeper level.

It's not just older members who are drawn to Hanfu. Solange Peron, a student of Chinese Studies and International Relations at National Institute for Oriental Languages and Civilizations, Paris, joined Boyan two years ago during its Chinese New Year Hanfu parade. She explained that it was Hanfu that sparked her love for Chinese culture.

“When we’re captivated by beautiful clothing, we naturally become curious about its origins. Wearing Hanfu ignited my interest in its history, which led me to explore Chinese culture more deeply,” She said.

In Solange's view, Boyan's events have made traditional Chinese culture more accessible to the French public. "Whether it's French people with little knowledge of Chinese culture or overseas Chinese not deeply connected to their heritage, Boyan’s promotion of Chinese culture resonates with both."

Solange believes Boyan has truly brought traditional culture to life. "Every time I participate, it feels like stepping back in time—it’s magical," she said. "It helps Chinese people reconnect with their history and gives the French a deeper appreciation of China’s cultural heritage. It’s a beautiful mission to be part of."