20 Ways To Live A French Lifestyle From Anywhere

You don’t have to live in France or even visit the French capital to enjoy the French way of life. One of the best ways to live a French lifestyle from anywhere is by adopting small, intentional habits that can be practiced anywhere you live, whether that’s a small town or a big city in the United States.

Below are 20 ways to live a French lifestyle from anywhere, inspired by the Parisian lifestyle, French culture, and the simple pleasures that define everyday life in France. These French lifestyle tips focus on slowing down your daily routine, appreciating small things, and living life with more joy, balance, and joie de vivre.

Ways to Live a French Lifestyle: Everyday French Habits

1. Ways to Live a French Lifestyle by Slowing Downw Down: A French Lifestyle Habit

Taking time to slow down and appreciate the little things in life is one of the French lifestyle habits I admire most about the French way of living. You’ll often see a French person sitting at their favorite café, enjoying a coffee, practicing small talk, or having meaningful conversations with friends. This slower pace is a defining part of everyday life in France.

You don’t see them working away on their laptops or endlessly scrolling on social media. Instead, the best way they spend their time is by being present and finding joy in small details.

Slowing down is also about appreciating simple pleasures: fresh flowers, a delicious meal, a French walk through the gardens, or an afternoon at a local museum. These little moments create the best moments and a better way of living life.

2. Ways to Live a French Lifestyle Through Café Culture

The French deeply invest in culture through reading, the arts, museums, and theater, which play a major role in the French way of life. From a young age, children are taught to appreciate culture because it’s central to French heritage and intellectual life.

French people are often more interested in a person’s education and ability to engage in conversation than in how much money they have; an idea that feels refreshingly different from American culture.

For us, visiting an art museum is a great pleasure and something we love to do as a family. We’re lucky to live near a wonderful local museum that we try to visit at least once a month.

One entire section is dedicated to French Impressionists like Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh, making it a perfect opportunity to connect with French culture outside of France.

3. Read More

Most French homes are filled with bookshelves, not just for decoration, but filled with books that are actively being read. Reading, education, and curiosity are essential parts of the French lifestyle and daily routine.

Paris still has countless bookstores and newspaper stands because reading is woven into everyday life. It’s one of the easiest ways to adopt the French way of living.

Set aside time each day to read a book or newspaper instead of reaching for your phone. This small habit creates a deeper appreciation for living life more intentionally.

4. People Watch En Terrasse and Experience the Parisian Lifestyle

French cafés are at the heart of the Parisian lifestyle. No matter the season, you’ll find people sitting en terrasse enjoying coffee, wine, or engaging in small talk as part of everyday life.

Cafés bring people together and serve as social gatherings where the art of conversation thrives. One of my favorite ways to live a French lifestyle is simply sitting at a café and people-watching; observing French style, wondering where people are going, and soaking in the rhythm of daily life.

Saint-Germain is one of the best neighborhoods in Paris to experience the classic Parisian café lifestyle, and when I’m in Paris, my favorite café for morning people-watching is Café de Flore. In the evening, I love sitting next door at Les Deux Magots with a glass of champagne, enjoying the best moments as the city slows down.

And when I’m not in Paris, I still love doing the same thing; heading to our local café, sitting outside whenever I can, and people-watching. It’s one of the easiest ways to bring the French way of living into everyday life, no matter where you are.

5. Walk More and Be a Flâneur in Everyday French Life

Whenever I’m in Paris, I easily walk eight to ten miles a day. Walking is one of the easiest ways to experience the French way of life. Being a flâneur—a stroller with no agenda—is deeply ingrained in French culture.

Wandering without purpose allows you to notice beautiful things, small details, and moments you’d otherwise miss if you were rushing. This is true whether you’re walking the streets of Paris or your own neighborhood.

Incorporate a French walk into your daily routine by taking an afternoon stroll or an after-dinner walk. It’s a better way to digest food, clear your mind, and enjoy a slower pace of living life.

6. Do Sundays the French Way: A French Lifestyle Tradition

Sundays in France are designed for rest. Most shops are closed, encouraging people to slow down and spend time with family and friends. This tradition reflects one of the most meaningful French lifestyle habits.

We’ve embraced this by creating our own Sunday ritual, starting the morning with coffee and croissants. It’s a good idea that brings joy every week and reminds us to appreciate small things.

Listening to French music, buying fresh flowers, cooking a simple meal, and enjoying natural light throughout the day turn Sunday into a beautiful pause from a busy world.

French Lifestyle Food and Everyday French Cuisine

7. Shop From the Farmers’ Market the French Way

French people frequently shop at open-air markets and local farmers’ markets, where fresh produce and seasonal foods are prioritized. This connection to local food is a cornerstone of French cuisine.

When possible, shop at your local farmers’ market or grocery store and focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients. Even in the United States, this habit brings you closer to the French way of living.

French people also visit local stores like the butcher, boulangerie, and patisserie, choosing quality over convenience and supporting local artisans.

8. Appreciate Meal Times in the French Way of Living

Mealtimes in France are sacred and deeply connected to meaningful conversations and social gatherings. Families sit together, enjoy long dinners, and focus on connection rather than distraction.

At home, we prioritize sitting down together for dinner every night. This daily ritual reinforces the French belief that shared meals are one of life’s greatest pleasures.

Setting a beautiful table—even with simple dishes—adds elegance and intention to everyday life. High quality doesn’t have to mean expensive things.

9. No Snacking

Snacking throughout the day isn’t part of the French lifestyle. Instead, the focus is on balanced meals eaten mindfully.

Children enjoy a goûter, a French term meaning “to taste,” typically consisting of fruit, yogurt, or bread; smaller portions of better quality food.

This approach supports balance, moderation, and a healthier relationship with food.

10. Have Balance & Mind Portions

The French don’t deprive themselves; they enjoy everything in moderation. Croissants, wine, and pastries are savored, not overconsumed.

This balance is part of the French paradox: enjoying food deeply while maintaining health by choosing high-quality ingredients and reasonable portions.

French Lifestyle at Home: Simple French Living Ideas

11. Add Fresh Flowers as a Simple French Lifestyle Habit

Fresh flowers bring instant joy and elegance to a home, and this is one of the small details the French truly value. In the French way of life, flowers are not reserved for special occasions but are part of everyday life.

In France, you’ll often find flowers sold at open-air markets, local stores, and flower shops alongside daily errands. This simple pleasure adds beauty without excess and reflects a deep appreciation for beautiful things.

I love adding fresh flowers to our home every week, placing them in the living room or kitchen. Even inexpensive bouquets—like those from the grocery store or Trader Joe’s—can feel elevated when arranged simply. A glass vase or even a simple glass cup is all you need to create a welcoming, French-inspired home.

12. Invest In A Favorite Candle

A favorite candle is one of those small things that instantly makes a home feel cozy and inviting. The French understand how scent can influence mood and turn everyday moments into great pleasure.

Depending on the season, lighting a candle in the evening can slow the pace of your day and help you unwind. This ritual is an easy way to bring French lifestyle habits into your home.

One of the most iconic French candle brands is Diptyque, known for its beautiful glass jars and unforgettable scents. A candle doesn’t need to be extravagant; it simply needs to create a feeling of comfort and calm.

13. Host A Dinner Party

Dinner parties are an important part of French social life. French people love inviting friends over for long dinners filled with conversation, laughter, and good food.

The beauty of a French dinner party is that it doesn’t need to be overplanned. A few high-quality ingredients, a cheese board, a simple meal, and good wine are more than enough. The focus is on meaningful conversations, not perfection.

There’s no rush and no end time; just the enjoyment of being together. Hosting dinner parties is one of the best ways to experience the French way of living at home.

Self Care

14. Take Time To Invest In Yourself

Self-care plays a quiet yet important role in French culture. Rather than following trends or extreme routines, French women focus on simple, daily acts that bring joy.

Investing in yourself can be as small as buying fresh flowers, taking a long bath, or enjoying a peaceful walk. These moments don’t require much time, just intention.

The French also view beautiful lingerie and a signature perfume as everyday luxuries; small acts of care that make daily life feel special.

15. Age Gracefully The French Way

A defining part of the French way of living is embracing age with confidence. French women believe style, beauty, and elegance are not tied to youth but to self-assurance.

A typical French woman enhances her natural features rather than trying to hide age. Makeup is minimal, skincare is consistent, and style evolves gracefully over time.

This mindset is refreshing compared to American culture, where aging is often treated as something to fight rather than accept. The French remind us that confidence is the most beautiful thing you can wear.

16. Make Skincare A Priority

French women are known for prioritizing skincare over heavy makeup. Instead of chasing trends, they invest in fewer, higher-quality products that support healthy skin.

A French pharmacy is very different from what we’re used to in the United States; it’s filled with skincare and beauty products, and pharmacists help guide you toward what works best for your skin.

Making skincare a daily ritual reflects the French belief in long-term care and deep appreciation for quality over quick fixes.

French Style and the French Way of Dressing

17. Clean Out Your Closet

French women regularly edit their wardrobes, keeping only pieces they truly love and wear. Cleaning out your closet is one of the easiest ways to embrace French style.

If something no longer fits your lifestyle, feels worn out, or doesn’t make you feel confident, it no longer deserves space in your wardrobe. This intentional approach supports a better way of dressing and living.

18. Invest in Your Wardrobe the French Way

Rather than buying fast fashion, the French prefer to invest in high-quality pieces that last for years. This approach prioritizes craftsmanship, fit, and timeless design over trends.

It’s better to wait and purchase something you truly love than to fill your closet with items that won’t stand the test of time. Choosing best quality over quantity is central to the French way of life.

19. Create A Capsule Wardrobe

A French-inspired capsule wardrobe simplifies getting dressed while ensuring you always look polished. French women rely on versatile pieces that mix and match effortlessly.

This method saves time, reduces decision fatigue, and reinforces a consistent sense of style. Creating a capsule wardrobe is one of the best ideas for embracing French lifestyle habits in everyday life.

20. Always Look Polished and Refined in French Everyday Life

French women take pride in their appearance, even for simple daily activities. Looking polished doesn’t mean dressing up; it means choosing clothes that make you feel confident and put together.

Yoga pants and overly casual outfits are rare in French everyday life. Instead, a French person focuses on fit, fabric, and presentation, showing respect for themselves and others.

This final habit perfectly reflects the French way of living: intentional, confident, and refined; no matter where you are.

If you’re dreaming of experiencing the French lifestyle firsthand, Your Essential Guide to Paris is a great place to start.

Last updated: February 2026

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