If you fancy a chic lifestyle, you will surely love the French way of life. In all ways, France is the embodiment of luxury and art de vivre (art of living). However, although the country is known to dominate the world luxury goods market, the French lifestyle doesn’t solely revolve around work, money, or having expensive items. In fact, the French way of life is deeply rooted in the notion of living to the fullest, enjoying the present moment, and finding contentment in the most mundane things in life. Are you ready to experience joie de vivre or what they call the joy of life? Book a vacation package to France and discover how you can live the sweet l’art de vivre à la Française (French lifestyle) while exploring the country’s breathtaking attractions.
4 Things You Can Adapt From the French Lifestyle
If you are looking to elevate your family’s lifestyle by adopting the French way of life, here are the things you can do and places you can visit to truly appreciate the joie de vivre.
1. Be a Flâneur to Slow Down and Live In the Present Moment
Nowadays, the world operates on a fast-paced spur-of-the-moment. People are always on the move; we rush from one activity to another and work more hours than ever. In fact, being so busy you barely have time for yourself is often worn like a badge of honor. As a consequence, stress, anxiety, and fatigue are a constant part of life. But that is not how the French go about life.
In France, there’s the saying “Vivre au jour le jour,” which translates to “To live each day as it comes.” It is the notion that we shouldn’t rush and worry too much about the future. Instead, we should slow down and enjoy the present moment. Moreover, slowing down will help you appreciate even the littlest mundane things, make better decisions, and forge deeper connections with yourself and other people. Overall, slowing down and living in the present moment will allow you to have more meaningful experiences and improve your mental well-being by avoiding burnout. They even have a dedicated term for it: Flâneur. This literally means “to stroll” or “to lounge.” The flâneur is someone who lives in the present moment with the goal of observing the world in a philosophical wonder.
Paris is the ideal city to flâner. Paris is the perfect place to lounge in cafés with outdoor seating lining the cobbled streets. You can just sit back and relax, have a conversation with a friend, read a good book, or simply observe the world around you. One of the best cafes in Paris to people-watch is Café Charlot, located at Le Marais. This cafe is a hot spot for Sunday brunch, and its terrace has plenty of outdoor seating where you can just sit and watch people go by Rue de Bretagne.
Alternatively, you can slow down and enjoy life by appreciating a delicious meal or strolling the gardens on quiet afternoons to smell the flowers. You can even sit and sunbathe in some gardens. Don’t miss the chance to visit France’s famous gardens like Claude Monet’s Garden in Giverny, The Hanging Gardens of Marqueyssac, Parc de Bagatelle, and many more.
2. Go On Museum Dates
One of the best things you can do while traveling in France is to introduce your children to arts and culture by going on museum dates. It is good to let the children appreciate arts and culture from a very young age so they will grow up cultured. In France, people are more likely to judge an individual by their level of education and intellect rather than by their financial status.
France is home to the most prestigious museums in the world, such as the Louvre Museum, the Musée d’Orsay, the Pompidou Center, and the Château de Versailles, so you should definitely drop by these museums if you’re traveling in France.
3. Shop From The Farmers’ Market
There is no better way to prepare a scrumptious meal than by using the freshest ingredients. And since food is scared in French culture, people in France love shopping for fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season at the farmers’ markets. So next time you shop for fresh produce, make sure to check if there is a market nearby rather than opting for those sold at the groceries.
4. Shop at Chic Boutiques to Update Your Wardrobe
Being the fashion capital of the world, the French people heavily invest in high-quality and timeless fashion items that will last for years. They don’t hop on the latest trends in fashion but instead invest in timeless, chic pieces that are versatile enough to mix and match to create many outfit combinations.
Having a French-inspired capsule wardrobe is something that you should aim for if you want to look elegant, polished, and refined. Doing so is guaranteed to make you feel more confident and beautiful.
If you’re just starting out with your capsule wardrobe, you must have the five basics—a top, bottoms, jackets, shoes, and accessories. The French usually go for a white button-down shirt or a silk blouse for tops, black pants or skirts for bottoms, trench coats or leather jackets, black stilettos or classic flats for footwear, and a watch, silk scarf, or leather bag for accessories. Remember, the pieces you buy do not have to be from luxury brands, but they should always be of high quality!
One of the best places to shop for clothes is the famous shopping street in Paris—Champs D’Élysées. Here, you’ll find luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, the Chanel boutique, Gucci, Longchamp, and the Sephora flagship store. Nowadays, it also hosts more affordable brands like Celio, Zara, H&M, and Gap. Alternatively, you can go to Avenue Montaigne and Rue Du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, both of which are high-end shopping streets where you’ll find the world’s most famous brands, including Hermés, Cartier, Prada, and Louboutin.
Related posts: