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The modern social structure of France is complex, but generally similar to that of other European countries. Traditional social classes still have some presence, with a largebourgeoisie and especiallypetite bourgeoisie, and an unusually large proportion, for modern Europe, of farmingsmallholders. All these groups, and the remaining industrial working class, have considerable political power, which they are able to flex when required.
The "Old Regime" French society before theFrench Revolution was divided on the principle of theestates of the realm and they were as follows:
Following industrialization and the French Revolution altered the social structure of France and thebourgeoisie became the new ruling class. The feudal nobility was on the decline with agricultural and land yields decreasing, and arranged marriages between noble and bourgeois family became increasingly common, fusing the two social classes together during the 19th century.
The social classes in France during this period were as follows:
In the 21st century, social class in France is often measured by income and profession.Bon chic bon genre (BCBG) is a term for fashionable people of good family ("bon genre"), especially in Paris. Graduates of theÉcole nationale d'administration, orénarques predominate in the upper levels of government and many industries, along with graduates of the otherGrandes écoles, specialized state-run institutes of tertiary education. However, primary and secondary education is almost entirely at state schools, unlike say England, and is a major engine ofsocial mobility.Cultural capital, a concept from France, is still considered an issue for the many French people in a process ofsocial mobility.
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