40 years of MacDonalds in France: burgers "no longer American" When the first McDonalds opened in France 40 years ago, the humble burger was something of a joke in the land of haute cuisine. Today, however, nearly every restaurant has one on its menu, whether served with frogs' legs or foie gras on porcelain plates or paper-wrapped organic with house-made soda. France has "appropriated" the burger to the extent that according to one French fast-food entrepreneur, "it is no longer an American product." IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES & FILE IMAGES