It's true.
There are a lot of wine, cheese, apple, and crusty bread "dinners" too. It's hell. But alas, it MUST be done.
Contrary to claims one can find "fat chicks" in France but really it is weird because not so much. And they also have crazy number of courses, breads, wine/cheese, and such associated with dining. But also lots of walking, fresh food, time with eating, etc so there is that. Lest I'm being sexist there are lots of fat men there, so maybe the wine/cheese is done too much or the general shortness expands it.