As an American who’s been living in France for many years now, I can tell you that adjusting to life here has been a fascinating rollercoaster. We all know that France is famous for its wine, cheese, works of art, and iconic landmarks, but living here has opened my eyes to so many other quirks and interesting aspects of the culture. Some have been a welcome adjustment and others have been more challenging. But ultimately, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It feels so good to call France my home. 

If you’re planning a trip to France or even considering a more permanent move, you might find this blog helpful for understanding a bit about French life so you know what you’re getting into!

Here are seven surprising things about French culture that might just blow your mind. I hope you enjoy these interesting facts about french values and how the french citizens generally conduct themselves in different situations. 

1. Formality in Everyday Interactions

In France, it’s VERY important to greet shopkeepers and market vendors when you first walk in. It's basically an unspoken rule, especially when you walk into a french restaurant. Think of it as french law, but when it comes to social interactions. It's the little things that are important, even more than knowing all the perfect french words.

I feel like it can be a bigger faux pas to walk into a business without saying hello than to make grammar mistakes. And believe me, the french language IS important haha. But in many cases, formality is the official language. Wether you're in a french home, in a convenience store (tabac), in public areas, in french pharmacies, or sharing a french meal with locals, just be sure your politeness comes first. Respect is the language of love among young people and old people, and it goes a long way in Paris, and in the rest of France, of course. 

Sometimes, Americans just quietly enter a store, look around and then leave without saying anything. It’s totally normal in the U.S., but would be very rude and strange in France. It’s essential to acknowledge people around you, even with just a simple bonjour. Making eye contact and exchanging that greeting is truly the currency of France. 

Same goes for when you leave a store, restaurant, or café. Always say common phrases like thank you and goodbye (Merci, au revoir or Merci, bonne journée) as you’re leaving. I promise you, they will respond with the same and you’ll feel so good! 

It’s a proper way of interacting with the people around you and you will blend in much more if you do this. 

Fun fact: the French use "Monsieur" and "Madame" a lot more than we use "Sir" or "Ma'am." It’s a sign of respect and politeness, and you’ll hear it everywhere, from the supermarket to the post office. At first, it felt a bit stiff to me, but now I find it quite endearing and respectful.

If you’re practicing your French, try using Monsieur and Madame in service environments. No need to use it with younger people or peers, but it works great for elderly people, shopkeepers, strangers, and basically anyone working in the service industry. Just remember to accompany your formal greetings with vous/voyez, to maintain the respectful grammar. If you’re using the informal tu with someone, that’s a good sign you don’t need to say Monsieur or Madame, and vice versa. 

You can always try using english in Paris, because a lot of people are accustomed to communicating with tourists. But I wouldn't assume everyone speaks the english language, so it can't hurt to try out a couple of french words first!

2. The Bread Obsession is Real

You’ve heard about the baguettes, right? 

Let me tell you, it’s not a stereotype; it’s genuinely a way of life. The French take their bread very seriously. People line up at their favorite boulangerie (bakery) every morning to get a fresh baguette, and it's not uncommon to see folks walking around with one under their arm. 

Most people try to go early in the day to get the best selection of fresh bread, and sometimes even ask for a baguette “pas trop cuite” which means “not too crusty or hard,” because they want the softest loaf available. 

And it DOES matter. 

Unlike American bread that can sit in the fridge for days and even weeks, French bread gets rock hard within 24 hours, and is meant to be eaten the same day it’s made. It might seem like a chore to go out and buy bread every day, but the trade-off is that the bread is consistently AMAZING and you will literally find a boulangerie on every corner. 

So no matter where you are, you’re never more than a 5 minute walk from a bakery. If you’re like me, you might even come to love the daily routine of buying bread and frequenting your favorite local bakery. It’s fun and so very French!

3. The Art of Greeting

Forget about a simple handshake or even a hug for closer friends. In France, it’s all about faire la bise – those cheek kisses. The number of kisses can vary by region, but the standard is two. 

It’s a warm, personal greeting, and once you get the hang of it, you’ll find it quite charming. But be prepared; it's not just for close friends and family. You might even bise your colleagues!

This can be a bit of an adjustment for an outsider for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it can feel pretty intimate to be rubbing cheeks with a total stranger, especially if you’re used to hugs and handshakes, and secondly, it’s not always clear if the bise will start on the right or left side. It can depend on the region or the person, so I would recommend following their lead. If you end up goofing and going to the same side as them, you might end up kissing on the lips! That would be awkward…and no, I don’t know this from personal experience…

Anyways, don’t stress too much about it! Just do whatever feels best. 

4. Dog Poop Cleanup

Okay this one took me a while to get used to, and it’s definitely one of the more challenging cultural differences. 

In the U.S., there is a strong cultural expectation that dog owners will clean up after their pets. Most dog owners carry plastic bags specifically for this purpose, and it's generally considered socially unacceptable not to pick up after your dog. Public shaming or a strong sense of civic responsibility often motivates people, even in areas without strict enforcement.

This just hasn’t been a big part of French culture, historically. For years and years, people have just let their dogs relieve themselves on the sidewalk without feeling the need to clean it up. 

Many streets in the city centers of France actually have big street cleaners that come by every morning and wash down the streets. Imagine the garbage truck but instead it’s got large rotating brushes and many gallons of water! It’s actually pretty cool to see it at work, and it means that certain streets get cleaned regularly, which can help with the dog pop problem. 

But there are a lot of dogs and a lot of people in France (especially in Paris), so always look down as you walk, because you won’t be happy if you step in it!

The good news is that in recent years, there has been an increase in enforcement efforts, especially in larger cities like Paris, where fines for not picking up dog poop have been publicized and more strictly imposed. So it is changing for the better, it just takes time. 

5. Sunday is a Day of Rest (Seriously)

In France, Sunday is truly a day of rest. Almost all shops are closed, and people spend time with their families or simply relax. Many French people use Sundays for leisure activities such as walking in the park, visiting local markets, engaging in hobbies, or playing pétanque. It's a day to unwind and enjoy life at a slower pace.

Most shops, including supermarkets and many retail stores, are closed on Sundays. This means that people do their shopping during the week or on Saturdays. Exceptions include some bakeries, which might open in the morning to sell fresh bread and pastries, and certain convenience stores in larger cities. 

While essential services like hospitals and transportation continue to operate, most non-essential businesses and offices remain closed. This ensures that a majority of the workforce gets the day off.

I found this to be a stark contrast to the 24/7 hustle culture in the U.S, where people often do their grocery shopping for the week on Sunday. It took me a while to adjust, but now I cherish my peaceful Sundays and I plan my trips to grocery stores around the closure. 

6. Coffee Culture

While Americans often grab a large coffee to go, your average French person prefers to sit and savor theirs. Coffee here is typically a small, strong espresso, enjoyed at a café terrace while people-watching. It’s less about the caffeine fix and more about the experience.

People don’t carry around to-go cups and thermoses of coffee, like in the U.S.. The idea is to drink a small coffee while sitting in a restaurant or at home, rather than sipping on coffee that’s meant to last for hours and get you through the day. 

Unlike our Italian cousins, France doesn’t really do much specialty coffee. You can find specific cafés for specialty coffee if you look, but the average bistro or coffee shop usually has the basics, and honestly French coffee can seem watered down if you’re used to really strong coffee.  

They also don’t really carry around reusable water bottles. Obviously, this is a huge trend amongst Americans. This one can be hard to adjust to, since we’re so used to bringing hydro flasks with us wherever we go. Staying hydrated is important, so feel free to do what works for you. Just be aware that it’s not as common to carry around a water bottle in France and people might be able to tell right away that you’re a foreigner. Not a big deal though. 

Bonus Tip: If you haven't spent much time in Europe, one thing you SHOULD be careful of, is bringing your water bottle into a café or restaurant and drinking from it at your table. It’s customary to order a carafe of water with your meal. On the contrary, it would actually be considered disrespectful and weird to drink from your own water bottle, so I’d recommend stashing it in your bag while you eat. Totally fine to drink water from a bottle outside when you’re walking around the city! Just don’t put your huge hydro flask on the table in a nice dining environment, because you WILL stick out like a sore thumb. It all comes down to tradition, and french gastronomy is pretty much a sacred experience. So give the main course some room to breathe and then you'll avoid starting the next french revolution!

7. A Different Approach to Work-Life Balance

Work is important, but so is life. The French value their time off and use their vacation days – all five weeks of them! The idea of working overtime or during vacations is a big no-no. One of the big characteristics of french culture is that they believe in working to live, not living to work, and it’s a refreshing change of pace.

One of the craziest and nicest parts of the work-life balance in France, is that practically everyone takes the entire month of August off! Many companies and businesses actually shut down during this time or significantly decrease their services. It's like a prolonged public holiday. 

And when I say they don’t work, I mean they’re fully clocked out, mentally and physically. They won’t be answering emails or phone calls, or doing anything work related for an entire month. People in the United States still like to work a bit when they’re on vacation, but the French don’t mess around. They absolutely cannot be bothered. 

Big cities like Paris turn into ghost towns in August. Of course, there are always tourists, but most of the locals migrate south to the south of France on the Mediterranean coast or go on international vacations in August. 

Just be aware of this if you’re planning a trip to Paris in August. It’s the hottest time of the year and many locals will be away. But that doesn’t mean it’s a bad time to travel! It can be great to experience a calmer version of Paris, and I promise you will still find plenty of things to do because it turns out, Paris is always a great place to explore. But be sure to take the August vacances into account. 

Living in France has been an eye-opener in so many ways. The culture here is rich, nuanced, and full of delightful surprises, and it's not all to do with french fashion and french cuisine. Whether it’s the daily bread run or the art of August vacation, these French traditions have enriched my life and broadened my perspective. If you ever get the chance to immerse yourself in French customs and culture, I highly recommend it. You’ll discover a new way of living that’s as intriguing as it is charming.

If you're looking for a professional portrait photographer, we would LOVE to welcome you to Katie Donnelly Photography during your next trip to Paris. You can book your professional portrait session HERE.