The French have a tendency to dress their dishes with heavy creams, fatty sauces, and large amounts of butter and cheese. Odd as it may seem, the answer lies in their diet. One major point that can be contrasted between the US and Europe is the quality of food. Good food and good wine is to be expected in Europe. They eat well, they drink well, and consequently, they live well.
Food is a major part of their life, and they take great care in the preparation of it.
Americans are used to going into a supermarket, and filling their carts with food that will last for the week. But in Europe, seldom does that happen. The wives are accustomed to walking into town and picking up whatever food they might need from separate markets daily, and the food is always the freshest available. No added colors to make the meats look good are used, nor are preservatives or flavors used, to make the food taste better. What the fishermen catch and what the butchers kill is what they eat.