Have you ever been strolling through the streets of France and noticed all the baskets? French people own baskets for all kinds of uses! I have started catching on to their love of baskets.
I love to use baskets all throughout my home, and for making my life easier outside of the home, too. I use baskets for storage, gathering produce from my garden, hauling things around with me, and going to the local farmer’s market!
Baskets have many uses, which the French know all too well. The basket culture in France is thriving. Baskets are creative, useful, and the perfect addition to any French home (or wannabe French home, like mine)!
Where did baskets come from, what can they be used for, and why do the French love them? I will be answering each of these questions below!
History
Creating baskets is an ancient art that has been around for a long time. Basket making pre-dates stone carving and pottery! People have used baskets for all kinds of things throuhgout history, including harvesting, storing, carrying and catching fish. The earliest baskets that have been found were in Gambols Cave, Kenya.
Baskets were created from natural materials for functionality, to be used for things in everyday life. They were also a form of art. People created beautiful baskets with all kinds of interesting designs. There are several different techniques that can be used to create baskets. Three of the main techiniques are called coiling, plaiting, and twining.
Baskets are still made and used today for functionality, looks, and fine art. French baskets are perfect for their functionality and their beautiful looks as well.
Related Post: Simple Living the French Way
Why Do The French Love Baskets?
The French love baskets for many reasons. I think it has been a part of their culture for so long that most people are just used to having baskets in their homes.
Baskets are versatile and perfect for use all around your home.
When in town visiting the local markets, a basket is perfect for carrying all your treasures home with you! When you get home, they are perfect for storing your treasures.
Baskets are also aesthetically pleasing and look beautiful in anyone’s home or apartment! My grandmother has some of the most beautiful baskets hanging in her home as decor.
For the French, baskets can make life easier when spending a day in town. You can walk around, shop, buy your favorite treats and take them home with you.
If they want to spend a day at the park, a picnic basket can carry everything they will need (including a bottle of wine). Pack a nice lunch, wine, and blanket to enjoy some people watching or a nice book in the park on a sunny day.
When working outside in the garden or picking herbs, a harvesting basket is perfect to put everything in and carry back into the house with you.
Baskets make the perfect accessory with any outfit if you choose to use one as a purse or more like a day or evening bag when going out. I have this super cute handwoven purse, it has an adorable basket look!
I love the natural, old beauty that the country of France has and that they keep traditions alive. What better way to keep them alive than by using baskets all around their homes and when they are in town? This is something that has been done for so many years!
Do you want tons of baskets yet? Here are some different types of baskets that you might find in a Frenchman’s home.
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French Basket Types
One thing I love about baskets is that they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. This means that you can own a basket for every single need!
Square, round, large, small, wide, you name it, you can find a beautiful basket.
Wicker baskets are very popular in French culture. I love the look of these baskets!
Here are 11 different types of baskets that you can use everyday.
- French Market Basket
- Picnic Basket
- Beach Bag (basket)
- Wall Hanging Basket
- Bread Basket
- Fruit Basket
- Flower Basket
- Decorative Basket
- Storage Basket
- Harvesting Basket
- Fireside Basket
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FRENCH BASKETS AND THEIR USES
1. French Market Basket
A French market basket is probably the most popular and widely used basket you will see in France. As the name says, it’s perfect to take with you to the market. You can store all the food, wine, and treats in it that you buy. It’s very roomy and can hold a good amount of things.
I also love a French market basket because it can be used for more than just taking it to the market. Taking it to the grocery store can help cut down on the use of plastic bags!
You could also carry it with you on a day out when you need to take things from home with you.
Most of these baskets come with just handles for you to carry, but you can also find them with wheels or straps (for a backpack).
They are very handy to have lying around for when you need them!
2. Picnic Basket
Who doesn’t need to have a nice picnic basket if they are living in France? And I think you need one even if you aren’t living in France! When my husband and I first started dating, we loved to go on picnics. We don’t do it quite as often now, but it’s still fun when we get the chance.
I love to have a picnic basket to put all our things in. We can carry our lunch, wine, dessert, and cutlery in a cute picnic basket and enjoy our day! It makes carrying all our things so much easier.
3. Beach Bag (Basket Style)
Having a beach bag in the style of a basket is very French-y. A beach bag can hold everything you need to take to the beach, the sand doesn’t hang around inside, and they are stylish (if you care about that).
4. Wall Hanging Basket
Wall-hanging baskets are great for all your produce! Hang these baskets on the wall and store your potatoes, onions, and other produce in arm’s reach in your kitchen. I love the way these baskets look. Your kitchen will have more French style before you know it.
5. Bread Basket
A bread basket is perfect for those fresh out of the oven loaves of bread! They are the perfect side to hold them to place on the table or the counter. They are also great for fresh bought baguettes or other bread from the market.
6. Fruit Basket
There’s just something about going to a local market and getting fresh fruit or vegetables! Taking a fruit basket will help you transport these and then gives you somewhere to store them when you get back home. I love the look of having a basket full of fruit in my kitchen.
There are so many cute fruit basket options. Check them out here and find your favorite!
7. Flower Basket
A flower basket looks very nice in any home, porch, or balcony. You can add your potted plant to dress it up a little more, or add fresh cut flowers to make a beautiful arrangement!
8. Decorative Basket
Decorative baskets are so much fun to buy! They can also be used if needed, but are beautiful when hung up around the home. Decorative baskets are beautiful when displayed with flowers, or just sat on a self to allow their beautiful craftsmanship to be shown off.
Check out some of these decorative baskets to get some inspiration!
9. Storage Basket
A large, woven basket is sturdy enough to store many types of items in it. Storing blankets in this type of basket is my favorite. I have tons of blankets in my home (hello, hygge).
10. Harvesting Basket
Anyone with any type of garden needs one of these baskets! Whether it’s vegetables, flowers, or herbs, a harvesting Basket will make your life easier.
There are many different styles of harvesting baskets, so check these out and see which you like best!
11. Fireside Basket
A fireside basket is beautiful. It can be used to make a side-lying arrangement or could also be used to pick flowers from a garden or meadow.
Baskets can also make the perfect gift! It’s such a fun way to give someone a gift. Grab a basket, fill it with all the items you want to gift, and wrap it up in clear plastic. Don’t forget a beautiful bow!
I hope learning more about baskets and what they are used for has inspired you to fill your home with them! What are your favorite types of baskets, and what do you use them for?
Until next time,
Catherine
The post Why the French Love Baskets + What to Use Them For first appeared on KISS Expedition.
