Do you wonder what everyday life in France is like? Perhaps you have this idea in the back of your mind that you'd like to move to France. What will it be like day-to-day when you do? Annie Sargent was born and raised in France but she lived away for 18 years. As such, she has a unique view on her own country. And Elyse Rivin of Toulouse Guided Walks is from New York originally, but has been living in France for a very long time.

Today we talk about everyday life in France and how it differs from the other places we've lived. If you've ever moved far from home, you know that how we live in one country is not the same as in another, is it?

Did we miss anything? Reach out on social media to share your thoughts!

Table of Contents for the Everyday life in France Episode

• [00:00:14] Intro
• [00:00:35] Today on the podcast
• [00:01:42] Self-guided tours
• [00:03:01] Travel question of the week
• [00:03:18] The France bootcamp
• [00:04:28] Annie and Elyse about everyday life in France
• [00:05:14] French people eat at set meal times
• [00:06:19] French people don’t eat at their desk
• [00:09:01] Some restaurants in France only open at lunchtime
• [00:09:44] Workers’ restaurants
• [00:11:04] Families eat together in the evenings
• [00:12:14] Apartment or house?
• [00:13:17] Coffee Breaks
• [00:14:49] More pressure to be part of a group
• [00:15:18] Today, the default is to use “tu” in business situations
• [00:15:33] Kissing people on the cheeks
• [00:16:28] Vacations in France
• [00:17:32] People don’t respond when on vacation
• [00:17:51] People are discovering vacations in France instead of abroad
• [00:18:26] Check schedule for long weekends
• [00:19:41] Appreciating nature more
• [00:21:05] Arrêt de travail
• [00:22:44] Cafe culture is important in France
• [00:24:21] French bookstores don’t have a cafe
• [00:25:28] Relationship to money
• [00:26:32] French people save their pennies
• [00:27:02] Not into consumerism
• [00:28:12] Don’t talk about how much you earn
• [00:28:28] French banks issue debit card, not actual credit cards
• [00:29:16] Bring a debit card to France
• [00:30:32] Don’t ask people about money, background, religion
• [00:32:37] French employers can ask questions that aren’t allowed in the US
• [00:33:31] In France it’s OK to discuss politics
• [00:36:05] Acceptable topics for people you just met
• [00:36:19] Talk about food
• [00:39:53] Talk about books
• [00:40:00] Talk about TV shows
• [00:40:09] Talk about travel
• [00:40:33] Fine to ask what’s your profession?
• [00:41:03] Talk about your next vacation
• [00:41:15] Talk about pets
• [00:42:33] Life is not as busy in France
• [00:43:40] Don’t count on things in August
• [00:44:47] Thank you, patrons
• [00:45:10] Welcome new patrons
• [00:45:59] Preparing a trip to France?
• [00:47:32] Self-guided tours
• [00:47:55] Travel Question of the Week
• [00:52:04] No French news – Climate change
• [00:52:48] Personal Update
• [00:53:56] Next week on the podcast

More episodes about French culture FOLLOW US ON: Email | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter Support the Show

Tip Your Guides Extras Patreon Audio Tours Merchandise

Read more about this episode

Transcript