25 Simple Ways To Adopt A French Lifestyle From Anywhere

The French lifestyle has drawn people in for years.  It is all about elevating the simple everyday routines into something pleasurable.  In every aspect of their lives, the French live it to the fullest.  

Adopting the various aspects of the French lifestyle can have many benefits, including improving your overall quality of life.  With a little effort, you can enjoy l’art de vivre from wherever you are.

Here are 25 French lifestyle tips that will have you reaping all of the benefits of living a French inspired life.  I’ll list them first, and then break them down and give you practical ways that you can integrate each of them into your own life. 

*Disclaimer: Keep in mind that when I refer to “French people” here, and things that they do, these are all generalities, and of course, there are always exceptions.  

1. Prioritize Mealtime

In my opinion, this is one of the easiest French lifestyle habits to adopt.  Mealtime in France happens around the table.  It is also common for extended families and friends to gather together on the weekends to enjoy a meal together.  

Eating around the dinner table on a daily basis is so important.  Not only does it bring your family together to share a meal, but, it is a great opportunity to connect with one another. Even if it only happens once a day, spending time together that is uninterrupted is invaluable.

If you live alone, or you are at home alone for dinner time, don’t skip over this!  It is still important to prioritize mealtime.  Take the time to set the table, even if it is simple.  It makes dinner feel special, no matter what you are having.  It is a good way to unwind, pay attention to your meal, and eat mindfully without distractions.    

2. Quality Over Quantity

This is a theme that I have noticed over and over about French culture.  French people choose quality over quantity. They would rather have a smaller piece of the best cut of meat instead of a huge piece of meat that isn’t so nice.  This pertains to every aspect of their life, from food, to clothing, and other personal care items.  

One way you can do this is to choose the best quality item that your budget can afford, and only get one of them, instead of ten low quality items.  The idea is that the high quality item is more likely to last longer than the cheaper option.  So, you may spend more up front, but there will be less waste and excess in the long run.   

3. Learn To Cook French Food

French cooking is a great way to incorporate a little bit of the French lifestyle into your everyday.  French cuisine can be intimidating to some people.  But, it doesn’t have to be.  

There are hundreds of simple and delicious meals that you can make without any real cooking experience.  So, don’t let this one intimidate you!  You can start with a simple rustic galette, which is really easy to make.  The more you practice, and incorporate french food and meals into your day, the better you’ll get at it.  Try starting with these:  Champions en persillade, Galette aux peches, Herbes de Provence. 

4. Use Your Nice Things

Really!  The French take pride in making things look nice, from the presentation of their food, all the way to the table setting.  I think all of us have been guilty of putting our nice china and glasses  away in cuboard, in order to protect them, and to save them for a special day.  

But, when you really think about it, we have those things to use them.  What is the point of having nice things if you never enjoy them?  Make an effort to make everyday special by using your nice things.  You will be surprised how having a nicely set table can really elevate a meal.

5. Make An Effort With How You Present Yourself, Every Day

French style has been iconic for centuries.  French women, and men for that matter, make an effort to dress well every day.  Even if they are staying at home, or just making a quick trip to the grocery store, they make an effort to look presentable.  They take pride in their appearance.  You won’t see any French people walking through the grocery store in workout clothes and house slippers.  No way!

This doesn’t mean that you have to look runway ready all of the time.  Just make an effort to wear something that you would feel good about if you ran into someone you knew.  Curating a capsule wardrobe with a few key pieces is an easy way to look put together every day.  

6. Take Care Of Yourself

Self-care routines are a part of the French way of life.  Le Bien-etre or wellbeing is very important to French people.  Their well-being is their health and happiness.  Both French men and women use self care products routinely.  I remember my grandmother taking time in the morning, to clean up, put face cream on, comb her hair, and put an eau de cologne on.  She did this every day.  When I would leave to go back to the United States after visiting with her all summer, she would always say, “Soigne–toi bien” which translates into “Take care of yourself.”  

Try incorporating more self care into your day.  This can look like taking care of your skin with facial products, or even taking a few minutes to read a book, take a walk, or sit quietly with a cup of coffee.  

7. Walk More

This is a big part of the French lifestyle.  The French walk a lot.   Because France is a relatively small country, things tend to be closer together.  French cities, villages and towns are pedestrian friendly.  It is possible to walk to the boulangerie, pharmacie, and boucherie and get all of the errands done on foot. It is a great way to get some fresh air, and to add physical activity to your day.  

But, it isn’t always possible to do this, depending on where you live.  One way that you can incorporate this, is to make an effort to strategically park.  If you have several errands to run, try batching them by location.  This way, you can strategically park in a central location, and do the walking to and from your car.  

If this isn’t possible, try parking your car further away from the entrance of the place that you are going. Take the stairs, instead of the elevator.  If there are things within walking distance of your home, choose walking instead of taking your car.  

8. Shop At Your Local Farmers Market

Open air markets are a typical way of life in France.  Every Sunday, we would go to the market with my grandmother.  She would decide what to cook that week based on which produce was in season, and what looked the best.  There were several local farmers there selling directly to the public.  It is farm to table at its best, no middle man.  

There are many reasons that this is so important, that I won’t go into great detail here.  But, what it means is that you are getting the most nutrients out of your fresh fruits and vegetables, because they are in season, and not mass produced and shipped from far away.  

If you have a farmers market in your city, use it!  You can even invest in a French market bag to give it a more authentic feel.  

If you don’t have a farmers market in your area, check your local grocery store for local goods.  Most grocery stores will have an area dedicated to local products.  Know what is in season in your region.  You will find that those will be the things in the grocery store that are grown locally.  If you aren’t sure, you can check out this seasonal food guide for more information.   

9. Enjoy A Classic French Breakfast

I love a French breakfast.  There’s nothing like a fresh croissant and a strong cup of coffee to get your day started.  Typically, a French breakfast consists of sweet foods and a hot beverage, like coffee.  You won’t find them eating eggs, bacon, and hash browns.  

Making a classic French breakfast part of your daily routine, is a great way to start your day.  I talk all about how to enjoy a classic French breakfast in this post.

10. Explore The Arts

As a country, the French have a deep appreciation for the Arts.  

A great way to expand your appreciation for the Arts is to get involved in cultural events that are going on in your city.  Check the local news for art exhibits, theatre performances, and live music.  

11. Eat Minimally Processed Whole Foods

This goes back to number eight on our list.  The French take pride in taking care of themselves.  This includes eating minimally processed, whole foods.  Fresh produce, as well as minimally processed meats and grains are all important factors in how they take care of themselves.  

Look for whole grains, fresh seasonal produce, and minimally processed animal products.  

If you would like more in depth information on this, check out Lucie Villeneuve’s website Edukale.  She is a French nutritionist who lived in the United States for several years, and has a great perspective on how the French eat.  

12. Disconnect From Your Phone

One of things that I notice when I go to France is how many people are sitting at a cafe, enjoying a coffee or beer WITHOUT their phone.  It is lovely to see people in conversation and people watching without the distraction of their mobile phone.  This is a way of life to them.  

Take some time to deliberately put down your phone.  There is a setting on your Iphone called “downtime” that will put your phone to sleep for you, if you have a hard time breaking away.  Try it out, and see how pleasant it can be.

13. Use Reusable Grocery Bags

When you go to a grocery store in France, you must bring your own bags.  They do not have plastic grocery bags there, nor do they bag your groceries for you.  You have to bring your own reusable grocery bags in order to get your groceries home.  

Try doing this wherever you live.  Keep a stack of reusable bags in the trunk so that you will always be ready!  

14. Buy Fresh Flowers

I love fresh flowers!  Okay, so this isn’t exclusive to the French.  But, it does go back to elevating the the everyday.

Adding a bouquet of fresh flowers to your home brings a little bit of nature inside, brightens up the whole room, and just makes the day feel special.  

15. Add Le Goûter To Your Day

Le goûter is the time of day that the French stop and have a small snack.  It is usually reserved for kids, but, adults also enjoy this time of day.  In France, when school lets out, the kids have le goûter, and then carry on with their day.

Typically, le goûter consists of a beverage, and a sweet treat.  This is something that is so fun and can easily be added to your day!

16. Have Friends Over For Apéro

The French wouldn’t dream of having dinner guests over, without first offering an apéritif.  The whole event of drinking an apéritif, visiting, and relaxing, is known as an Apéro.  An apéritif is an alcoholic beverage that is served prior to dinner, to stimulate the taste buds, and the appetite for the upcoming meal.  

So, the next time you invite friends over, put out a few salty snacks and enjoy some relaxed conversation while sipping on a tasty drink, before serving dinner.

17. Serve Cheese After Dinner

The French love their cheese!  Charles de Gaulle once said, “How can anyone govern a nation that has two hundred and forty-six different kinds of cheese?”  It is a big way of life there.  

This is another really simple French habit to adopt.  It can be as simple as serving one or two cheeses after dinner.  Put them on a small cutting board or cheese tray, and serve them prior to, or in place of dessert.  

I like to offer a variety of textures, from a soft camembert or brie to a hard gruyere or edam.  Pick whatever kind you like!  

18. Invest In French Made Home Goods

This one is fun.  I love using kitchen utensils and table linens that are made in France.  Especially those things that are unique and high quality.  

Some of my favorite things that we use in our home every single day are olive wood butter spreaders, Opinel pairing knives, and an Opinel bread knife.  Try adding some La Rochere glasses to your table setting, a scented candle from Panier des Senses, some great Laguiole knives!

 French made goods add a little something special to your home.

19. Do Something That You Are Passionate About

The French live artfully and intentionally.  They are unapologetic about taking time to do things that they are passionate about.  

Find something that you are passionate about and take the time to cultivate and practice that passion. For example, if you love flowers, learn to grow your own.  If you If you love to bake, try out new recipes or make up your own!  This also ties in to self-care and the next tip on our list, work-life balance.

20. Work To Live, Don’t Live To Work

The French have work-life balance figured out.  A full hour (or two!) for lunch, a full 4 weeks per year of vacation, are just a couple of examples of how they balance work and time off.  

You may not be in a situation where you can take a long relaxing lunch break, or an entire month for vacation.  But, there are other ways to improve your work life balance.  Don’t be afraid to say, “NO.”  Set healthy boundaries at work in order to protect your time away from work, and prioritize down time.

21. Slow Down

One important factor  that sets the French lifestyle apart from others is the pace.  They take things slowly.  They are not in a rush.  

Reject the rat race and slow down your pace.  Stop rushing through every task, and reject the urgency to get it all done now.  Be deliberate about choosing what lands on your to do list, and how quickly it actually needs to be done.

22. Tune In To Some French Music

I love doing this, especially when I am cooking or baking.  I like listening to Edith Piaf and Jacques Brel. Those are my two favorites.  Music has the ability to instantly transport you to another place.

The next time you are in the kitchen whipping up a French meal, turn on some French music, close your eyes, and picture yourself in the French countryside, or a Parisian cafe.  You’ll be glad that you did.

23. Plant A French Potager

A French Potager is a kitchen garden.  Think herbs, vegetables, etc.  These are typically seen in the french countryside.  

But, don’t let that stop you!  You can have a French potager in a small container garden on your window sill or balcony.  If you are limited in space, take advantage of vertical gardening.  

I recommend starting with herbs, as they are the easiest and most useful in the kitchen.  If you are lucky enough to have some more space or land, plant some vegetables!  You can harvest from your own garden, and then go straight to the kitchen to get cooking!  

Check out this article to learn how to create your own French potager.

24. Keep Up With Current News

French people stay up to date on what is going on in the news and politics in France.  It is expected that this will be a subject of conversation at social gatherings.  

Not only do they know what is going on in local news and national news, but they also know what is going on in the rest of the world as well. They like to have educated and knowledgable conversations about these things.  

Practically, this can be setting up a new feed on your phone, or subscribing to a newsletter.  Whatever works for you to stay current with what is happening in the world.

25. Enjoy The Simple Pleasures Of Everyday life

The French l’art de vivre includes finding joy in the simple things.  Take time to reflect on the everyday things that bring you pleasure.  Really slow down, and enjoy your cup of morning coffee, or enjoy a beautiful day by sitting outside to work, or taking a walk in nature.  

There are so many simple pleasures in our everyday lives that we take for granted.  Taking time to notice these things can add so much joy to your day.  

I hope that this list helps you add some French l’art de vivre to your day!

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