In my line of work, I don't have to write that many letters in French. But when I do, it's always an adventure. If only the french would be happy with a letter that was signed, simply, "regards". Or maybe even "best regards", for a little something extra.
But no, of course they're not happy with that. Whilst you can simply sign a letter with a "cordialement", you usually have to add a paragraph of literary flourishes just before signing off, and there are all sorts of horribly complicated rules that you have to apply to letters according to whom you are sending it to and why. We do have similar rules in English, but I feel like the formal choice of words in French takes it to the nth degree.
Of course, I love translating them literally into English (à la k&k learn french).
"Dans l'attente de votre réponse, je vous prie d'agréer, Madame, Monsieur, mes salutations distinguées."
Whilst waiting for your response, I beg you to accept, Madam, Sir, my distinguished salutations.
"Veuillez agréer l’expression de ma considération distinguée."
Please accept the expression of my distinguished consideration
Hours of entertainment. Truly.
It takes so little to amuse me.
That reminds me of the old Blackadder II episode when Samuel Johnson has just finished writing the dictionary and Blackadder offers him his "most frasmotic contrafibularities"!
It is always interesting to literally translate. In English, it can be so very interesting.