The French celebrate an inspired culinary and wine culture in their daily lives, without pretense or self-consciousness. This tradition is apparent in the kitchen as well as the dining room, where a great dining table is the essential stage for savoring and celebrating great food and wine with friends and family. A classic French country style dining table tends to be on the larger side, to accommodate larger groups and to function as a central meeting point for snacking and chatting as well as sitting down to formal meals. Circular tables create an instant feeling of intimacy, whereas and larger balusters and trestle bases create a strong sense of permanence and connection to the earth. Whether formal or rustic, wooden, iron or stone, the dining table should always welcome, accommodate and help celebrate the beauty of everyday occasions.