How to Live the French Lifestyle—No Matter Where You Are

Peach daze

#FrenchStyle #ParisianStyle #IntentionalLiving Dreaming of a French lifestyle filled with elegance, simplicity, and effortless charm? In this video, I share some of the secrets of the French way of life—and show you exactly how to incorporate them into your everyday routine, no matter where you are in the world.  Whether you're craving the slow mornings of a Parisian café, the chic style of French fashion, or the joie de vivre of a countryside escape, I've got practical tips to help you live the French lifestyle wherever you are. From dining with elegance to slowing down without feeling guilty, I’ll guide you on how to embrace the art of living la vie française in your own home, office, or city.  What you’ll learn in this video:  Simple tips for slowing down and enjoying the little moments  French-inspired habits for living more mindfully and intentionally  How to add a touch of French romance to your everyday routine  No need to move to France to live like the French! By the end of this video, you’ll have a set of easy, actionable tips to start infusing your life with the chic, carefree essence of France. So grab your croissant, sit back, and let's make every day feel a little more française.  Check out my available paintings here: www.jdyachtpaintings.com  Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:50 French Simplicity and Appreciation 01:20 The French Shop locally and seasonally 02:58 Quiet Indulgence 03:27 The french dress up 04:04 French Meal times 04:47 The French Walk or cycle more 05:58 The French art of slowing down  Other Videos you might enjoy: To France with Love, a Celebration of French Culture and Character:    • To France with Love - a Celebration of Fre...

Transcript

00:00What if you could wake up tomorrow and feel like you're living in France without ever

00:07leaving your hometown? In this video I'm sharing the secrets of the effortlessly chic,

00:14deeply intentional French lifestyle and exactly how you can weave it into your everyday no matter

00:22where you are in the world. Stick around because by the end you'll see that you really don't need

00:29to move here to live a French lifestyle. It's all about your mindset and not your address.

00:37The French life isn't about extravagance or chasing the next big thing. It's rooted in two

00:45very simple ideas, simplicity and appreciation. Whether you live in a bustling city or a quiet

00:54village. These small shifts in daily living can make life feel a little more considered,

01:02more pleasurable, more French. Here are some effortless yet meaningful ways to embrace

01:09a French inspired lifestyle no matter where you are in the world.

01:14One of the loveliest French habits is shopping locally and seasonally. Outdoor markets are at

01:24the heart of French life. People shop with baskets or tote bags, choosing fresh fruit and vegetables that

01:31are in season, not wrapped in plastic, but presented in open air stalls with vibrant colour and scent.

01:39If you've got a farmer's market near you, pop by once a week. Chat to the store holders.

01:47Buy what looks good to you that day. It's not only so much better for the environment but it's also a

01:54lovely sensory way to shop. If you can pick up the fruits and the vegetables, feel them, smell them.

02:00It just makes such a difference. Yes, it takes a bit longer but that's the point really.

02:06The French rarely do their weekly shop in one go. They prefer popping into the fromagerie for cheese,

02:15the boulangerie for bread, the charcuterie for meat. This gentle ritual of daily shopping

02:23keeps food fresh and brings a real sense of connection to the food, to the place and to the people.

02:31Even if you don't live near independent shops, simply breaking the habit of supermarket bulk buys

02:39and instead buying fresh food more often can really change how you approach meals altogether.

02:49Pleasure. That's another cornerstone of French living, but not hedonistic pleasure.

02:55Quiet indulgence. A spritz of perfume each morning, even if you're staying at home.

03:01Wearing something that makes you feel just a little bit elegant,

03:06even if it's just jeans and a t-shirt that fit you so well.

03:10Self-care isn't seen as vanity, it's self-respect. Pampering, grooming, dressing well.

03:17These are small acts of love that signal to yourself, I matter. And the French are experts at this.

03:25What you wear can really shape how you feel about yourself.

03:31In France, you'll rarely see someone out in pyjamas or baggy loungewear, even for a quick shop run.

03:37Clothes are chosen thoughtfully and even casual outfits are well fitted and considered.

03:46One of my favourite things to do when I'm walking through town is people watch.

03:51I love looking at people's different outfits and appreciating how they've put them together

03:56and I take mental notes for what I'm going to wear the next day.

04:02Let's talk meal times. They sit down at the table, rarely on the sofa,

04:08and meals are a time for connection, conversation and enjoyment.

04:12A simple lunch might still have several courses. A little salad, a main dish, perhaps cheese or fruit

04:21after. There's very little snacking between meals. Instead, they eat with mindfulness and a sense of occasion.

04:30Even a weekday supper can feel special, with a cloth napkin and a glass of wine.

04:36It's not about the food being fancy, it's about how you experience it.

04:42Here's something wonderfully simple that you can do. Just walk or cycle more.

04:48In France, people walk everywhere. Whether it's to the grocers, the chemists or the post,

04:54walking is woven into daily life. It's really common to stroll to the bakery each morning

05:02or take a brisk walk to the market. Try perhaps leaving the car behind when you can. Take the stairs

05:09instead of the lift. Hop off the bus a stop early and enjoy the world at a gentler, slower pace.

05:15It's a small change, but over time it brings, of course, health benefits and a certain peaceful rhythm to your day.

05:27As well as painting professionally, I also give English lessons in and around my French hometown,

05:34and whenever I can, I go on my bicycle. Cycling means I see so much more of what's going on around me

05:42than if I was in my car, and also it takes away all the stress of trying to find a parking space.

05:48Probably one of the most beautiful aspects of the French lifestyle is the art of slowing down.

05:59We often fear that if we don't fill every hour, then we're wasting time. But actually,

06:05it's in those slower moments that we begin to notice what truly brings joy.

06:15A slow meal, an afternoon stroll, a quiet moment with music and a cup of tea or coffee.

06:23These aren't indulgences. They're actually essentials.

06:27And it's when life slows down that you begin to live more fully with more presence.

06:36So you don't need to move to Provence or own a flat in Paris to live the French lifestyle.

06:43All it takes is a slight shift in how you approach your days with thoughtfulness,

06:49with intention and with joy. These are the things that I've picked up whilst living in France for

06:57over half of my life. And they've transformed how I live no matter where I am in the world.

07:08Hi, thank you so much for watching. I hope you enjoyed this video. I want to say a huge welcome

07:14to all of my new subscribers and a heartfelt thank you to those who have been following me since the

07:20very beginning of this channel. You may have noticed that I've recently changed the name of this channel

07:26to Living Well in France. And that's because I'm now going to be focusing much more on life in France,

07:33how the French live, how to incorporate more of a French lifestyle into your daily life,

07:40and just really sharing the passion of French life and lifestyle. If there's something about France

07:46and the French that you particularly would like to see, then go ahead and note down in the comments

07:51below and I'll look into possibly making a video for you. The next video I post is going to be all about

07:58how to integrate as an Anglo-Saxon into the French culture. So be sure to hit the little bell button

08:06so you don't miss out. Until next time, à bientôt!

Category

Transcript

Recommended