Visiting Paris, we discovered daily routines that made life easier, slower-paced, simpler and a whole lot more enjoyable, and here are some habits we hope to keep up when we return home.
Taking time for leisurely meals
Unlike Americans, Parisians don’t rush through their meals. They may linger over a croissant and café au lait for breakfast and have multiple courses at lunch or dinner. They know how to take their time and enjoy their food and the company. In fact, Parisians have longer lunch breaks, about 2 hours.
Walking everywhere
The first thing we immediately noticed when visiting Paris was how much walking everyone did. From going to work or meeting up with friends to running errands at the grocery store, many Parisians seemed content to just walk. We frequently spotted chic Parisians strolling down the street.
So we too began walking more than we ever have before, and it transformed our experience. Not only did we see gorgeous architecture, but we stumbled across secret courtyards, quaint alleyways, and adorable shops we likely would’ve missed if we were zooming by in a car.
Investing in quality, timeless fashion
Paris is a city known for fashion. Parisians are always fashionable. They tend to wear classy and elegant clothes, which make them look effortlessly chic. It doesn’t take a second look to identify the difference between a tourist and a Parisian.
Appreciating art and culture
Parisians take time for culture. Whether they are watching a movie at the Cinémathèque Française, admiring contemporary art at the Centre Pompidou, or perusing an exhibition at the Musée d’Orsay, they love to be creative. Even the outdoors, such as the murals of the Belleville area or the rioters of Montmartre, are an endless source of inspiration.
Visiting the boulangerie daily
Most Parisians visit the neighborhood boulangerie (bakery) on a daily basis for fresh bread or pastry. It’s an easy ritual that binds them to the community and gives them a delicious and healthy daily treat.
Being a little mysterious
They also don’t feel compelled to tell everyone about their lives. Whether talking with friends or posting on social media, Parisians share less and keep some things private. Instead of explaining their whole day, they would smile and reply, “It was lovely.” There was no need to explain themselves or talk about themselves all of the time; they didn’t crave attention. We loved that quality about them.
Mastering the art of café culture
Another Parisian observation we made was their use of cafes as a place to relax and people-watch, rather than grab a coffee and take off. We saw many people sitting at cafes for hours with just a coffee or glass of wine and a newspaper, chatting with friends or lost in their own books.
We found ourselves doing it too, taking our sweet time enjoying a café au lait at a sidewalk cafe and not rushing to get somewhere. It was nice to remind ourselves that some of the best parts of traveling (and life) are just sitting back and enjoying yourself.
Saying “bonjour” to everyone
One thing we picked up quickly while in Paris was how often people said hello. Whenever you walk into a bakery, small store, or talk to a cashier, it’s polite to say bonjour. It wasn’t awkward or hurried; it was just normal.
We began to adopt this practice ourselves and what a difference it made. People were friendlier, conversations began more easily, and even small talk was nicer.
Taking short naps
We observed that Parisians just aren’t slaves to their schedules. They understand the importance of resting when you need to and don’t feel guilty about sitting down for a while or taking a short nap in the afternoon. Instead of running yourself into the ground every day, we did this a couple of times after big mornings out, and it made us feel rejuvenated and ready to walk around in the evening rather than beat.
Living in the moment
Parisians love “joie de vivre” (joy of living) or living in the moment. They’re open to spontaneous excursions such as drinking a glass of wine at a corner pub or lying down by the Seine to enjoy the sunset. This is a pattern even in their work life; many of them don’t allow their work to dominate their life and instead focus on their work-life balance.
