Shock news from across the Channel: French women do get fat, they have brattish, fussy-eater children, chipped nails, they sometimes sleep on their own wearing big cotton knickers and they do mind if their husband is enjoying cinq-à-sept trysts with his mistress.  President François Hollande's affair – alleged – with an actor and betrayal – alleged – of his "official" partner, Valerie Trierweiler, has revived some hoary old stereotypes concerning the French female.  Until now, les françaises were seen as effortlessly stylish, enviably slim and usually able to treat their partner's dalliances with impressive sang-froid (though not in the case of Trierweiler), and have been the subject of a host of self-help books aimed at their less fortunate sisters in other countries.  French Women Don't Get Fat and this year's follow-up, French Women Don't Get Facelifts, are just two examples of the genre that has proved extremely popular around the world.  In a recent article debunking the whole "French women are perfect" myth, daily newspaper Le Figaro wrote: "We could maintain the mystery, feed the myth; but French women are known for being frank, they don't mince their words, so it's time to re-establish a few truths. It could be called: 'The Truth about French Women written by a French woman who is far from perfect and very much representative of her kind'. "  The Observer decided to give a helping hand to that project with a series of short interviews. And our preliminary conclusion? French women have the same problems, hopes and desires as the rest of us.  Faiza Allalou, 38: a saleswoman in a women's clothes store in Paris; married with two children, aged 10 and five"Keeping in shape is a struggle. I've been on diets, and was on the high-protein Dukan diet and lost weight, so I'm careful what I eat. I smoke, as I find it helps in coping with stress. I come to work on a Vélib bike to keep in shape – I don't have the time or money to go to the gym. Because of my work I have to be presentable, so I spend what I need to. But cosmetics cost money, and we're being squeezed like lemons. Prices are going up and we're paying more taxes. As for raising my children, I'm fairly firm with them. I make sure they do their homework and get enough sleep. My five-year-old is in bed at 8.30pm every night and the other one half an hour later."  Veronique Lambert, 52: a tax inspector in Lyon; divorced with three children: twin daughters, 21, and one son, 16"When I was younger, I bought into being a kind of superwoman, having perfect children and a toned body, but now I'm more relaxed about my image. I don't spend much on makeup or read women's magazines. I'm full of energy, so sport is a necessity for me, not a social thing: I go running, I go to the gym and I dance. I'm doing west coast swing and rock 'n' roll. How did I bring up my children? As a working single mother, it wasn't easy. Children need to know who's in charge. I learned that communication is important, particularly with girls."  Francine Desnos, 50: a regional union rep from Angers in the Loire Valley; lives with her partner and has a daughter, 28, and son, 25"Is it effortless to be a French woman? I exercise by going ballroom dancing with my partner, because we enjoy it, and sometimes go to the swimming pool. I don't go on diets. I'm careful about my appearance, and set aside a budget for makeup. I'm lucky because we have two salaries coming in, but we need to be careful. I know lots of people who are afraid of the future, and worry about having enough money to get by. Both my children are grown and have jobs, but I was strict: I believe that you have to set boundaries."  Estelle Le Roux, 37 (above): a saleswoman in Brest, Brittany; separated, one son, 13"What do I think about the idealised British view of the French woman? Here's my answer: the book I'm reading is called The Perfect Woman is a Silly Cow (La Femme Parfaite Est Une Connasse). I spend quite a lot on cosmetics and creams, but I don't diet. I took up jogging about 10 years ago to keep fit. I'm a strict mother. My son looks after himself until I get home at about 7pm. He's been trained to make the beds and do the washing up. I couldn't afford to have help. My ex-husband and I share custody but as a woman raising a child on my own, I'm always anxious about losing my job."
Anne Penketh and Kim Willsher: French women defy their chic stereotypes in face of Francois Hollande's alleged affair