"Love is Blind France" confirms the stereotypes about French people abroad Not in a positive way

It was the must-see release of the month: the French version of Love is Blind has finally landed on Netflix. Renamed “Pour le meilleur et à l’aveugle”, the flagship reality TV show came out barely a week ago but has already set social media on fire. But why? Some fans loudly claim that the French version is the best thanks to its drama, plot twists and above all its strong-willed characters. For some viewers, these participants confirm the stereotypes that foreigners may hold about the French.

Just a few minutes into the first episode, two participants in the pod mock the Quebec accent. Though innocent, it is a well-known cliché that the French constantly make fun of the way Quebecers speak. Fed up with these age-old jokes, French Canadians express their frustration in the comments. But the stereotypes go much further. As content creator Seynadiokha explains in her TikTok, some contestants like Kim embody the arrogant, condescending image of the “unbearable Frenchwoman” that exists in the collective imagination. Some users accuse the 33-year-old lawyer of giving too much importance to titles, salaries, and appearances, making her look fundamentally superficial. In a TikTok reposted sequence, she and her new husband are seen in a room where she complains that there is no staff to open champagne bottles, portraying the “demanding rich Parisian.” A scene that made many viewers cringe.

Another contestant, Sarah, was labeled a French mean girl for her harsh behavior towards other women during the show. Remarks like “I hope she cries” about a rival contender did not please audiences. From the perspective of international fans, all these attitudes reinforced the stereotype of the arrogant French: self-centered, snobbish, and pretentious. However, it is worth noting that in every reality TV show, editing shapes the story and the characters’ image. The women may have been pleasant most of the time, but production may have chosen to keep only the clips that reinforced the “mean girl” and arrogant narrative. Whether in the Brazilian or Japanese version, what makes each adaptation of Love is Blind interesting is the spotlight on different cultural contexts. For example, in the Swedish version, participants are less dramatic with more successful marriages, compared to the American version where episodes are full of endless turmoil.

In this context, Netflix does not hesitate to push certain clichés about the contestants’ nationality to attract viewers looking for novelty. After all, it is exactly the same formula in every season. Therefore, it is likely that the production intentionally emphasized this storyline to reinforce French clichés. Nevertheless, Love is Blind France has the merit of offering a diverse cast. Among the 30 contestants, many come from different backgrounds. A strong representation of modern France in mainstream media, something still rare in 2025.