A new survey has revealed that if people in the UK could swap their nationality for another, most would choose to become French — with Brits openly admitting they find France classier, more sophisticated and generally more appealing than their own homeland. According to the findings, 53% of respondents said they would choose to be French if they absolutely had to pick a different nationality, placing France ahead of Italy at 49%, Spain at 44%, and Germany at just 15%.
The data suggests a kind of cultural envy, with 59% believing the French are simply classier than Brits, while 69% say French people have a level of natural sophistication they openly aspire to. That admiration extends even further when it comes to style and romance. Nearly two-thirds — 65% — claim French women are among the classiest in the world, and 48% admit French men have the sexiest accents.
When asked what they love most about their French counterparts, the British public didn’t hold back. Croissants came out on top, with 61% selecting the buttery pastry as the best thing about France. French wine followed at 44%, alongside classic French cheese, also at 44%, which many said they associate with a slower, more indulgent way of living. Café culture proved another major draw, chosen by 34%, while 25% said crêpes and galettes were among their favourite elements of French food culture. A further 22% highlighted champagne, with others pointing to French accents, Sunday markets and the country’s reputation for romance, each scoring 20%. Even small but iconic details made the list, from Chanel No. 5 at 17% to the simple pleasure of steak frites, which 18% admitted they adore.
The results paint a familiar cultural picture: while Brits are often known for self-deprecation, they reserve a particular admiration for their continental neighbours. To them, France represents elegance, leisure, and effortless charm — the kind of lifestyle many in the UK say they secretly wish they could adopt.
It’s a sentiment that might resonate in Ireland too, where Irish holiday-goers regularly rank France as one of their favourite destinations thanks to its food, fashion and slower pace of life. And judging by this new research, it seems the British aren’t far behind in their admiration, with many admitting that if they had to start over as someone new, they’d happily do it the French way.
