Living French: 7th edition

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In “Le Peintre de la vie moderne” (The Painter of Modern Life) published in 1863, Charles Baudelaire wrote: “For the perfect flâneur, for the passionate spectator, it is an immense joy to set up house in the heart of the multitude, amid the ebb and flow of movement, in the midst of the fugitive and the infinite”.

Think of France and what comes to mind? Wide roads, great-value restaurants, a gentle climate and landscape, rural lifestyle, great pride in national identity and traditions both cultural and social. French living is more than tossing a baguette into your basket and popping open a bottle of wine, although that doesn’t hurt either. Instead, embracing the French lifestyle and culture is more about adopting some simple practices into your everyday life. 1. Embrace meal times

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Finally, there is this peasant heritage that characterizes French society. “Most French people come from the peasantry,” says Mossuz-Lavau. Farmers would hide money away, in cash, somewhere in the house, and would not talk about it so that nobody would steal it. 4. Visit Museums Invest in quality skincare products. In episode #13 of the podcast, specifics are shared on how to create glowing skin, and by investing in quality skincare products, your most beautiful skin will shine. The power of prevention is real, and while it takes time and a bit of investment, the pay-offs are tremendous. Living in rural France is the idyllic dream of many and France certainly has much to offer in its villages and hamlets. Most foreigners who buy property in France are attracted to villages, small towns and countryside.

Flâner” which could be almost translated as “to stroll” or “to lounge”, is a concept so French that the word has no true English equivalent. The flâneur is someone who, rooted in the present, wanders through a city with no destination in mind but with a clear purpose: to observe the world in a philosophical way. French cooking is considered by many to be the most prestigious and respectable cuisine in the world. The French Gastronomic meal is even classified as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

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If you love the good things in life , a lovely home, good food and drink, beautiful places and people to share them with, then you will definitely find inspiration on our French Living Blog. Eat real food. Full of flavor that will satiate, real food is a choice your body will thank you for. Processed food may be more convenient and help you reduce the shopping trips to the grocery store, but in the long term, it is a bad investment. Returning home after a long day knowing the food you will be incorporating into your meal will be satisfying and nutritious will remove guilt and properly fuel your body for whatever it may be asked to do next. Dressing your best doesn’t mean you have to dress like a movie star every single day. Rather, dressing your best is simply making sure that you’re representing yourself in the best possible way that you can each day. It means that you’re taking the time to make sure you look polished and refined before you walk out of the door. This French term was used by 19th-Century French prose-poet and essayist Charles Baudelaire to identify an observer of modern urban life. At this time, in a society characterized by progress and capitalism, the flâneur becomes a revolutionary who doesn’t want to participate but to contemplate.

A typical part of French lifestyle is shopping at the farmers market throughout the week for fresh produce, rather than the supermarket. It’s a great way to eat fresh and local food that has been grown using more natural practices. It helps you learn to eat seasonally, rather than be fooled that all produce can be available year around, like the grocery store can have you believing. It’s a lot of fun to get to know your local farmers and community, learn from them, and form relationships. It makes the experience of shopping like more of a pleasurable experience, rather than a chore to get over and done with. Plus, we always try out new foods when we visit, which expands our taste buds and our cooking repertoire.

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As introverts, this is a difficult French living habit for both Bassam and I. Although we see the value in and enjoy intelligent conversations, it can often be difficult for us. It is a conscious effort for us to interact with others rather than retreat into our own heads, but again, we always see the value in it. We’ve found that as introverts, if a conversation is dull or standard, we walk away feeling drained. However, if the conversation is fresh and full of new ideas and information, we walk away feeling inspired and energized. If you can relate, we have a few tips for you to try. There are many excellent public healthcare facilities across France and waiting lists are short. Government funding and salary contributions cover up to 70% of medical costs – most expats take out insurance to cover the difference. The government provides free treatment for people who are seriously or terminally ill. Private hospitals and clinics tend to specialise to a greater degree than public hospitals. The French government is active in negotiating reasonable fees in the private sector.

The apéritif, also called an “apéro” for short in France, is not just about the food and drink (though those are certainly important) but it’s about taking a moment to reset and appreciate life. It isn’t traditional to have this with every meal but more when sharing with friends and family —either at home or at a restaurant.Ask thought provoking or unique questions, rather than tired old basics (for example: what moment in your life changed you the most vs what are you doing this weekend)