I suppose being a Francophile for me was a foregone conclusion as before I even started learning about French culture there were many elements that I was already interested in incorporating into my life and as I began to read and visit France, I became a quick student on joie de virve and l’art de virve and learning as much as I could about the finer way of living everyday life. I began to incorporate French details into my lifestyle that created more joy and sophistication, and I learned how to discern quality and to have an eye for detail. This is still a very much on-going practice, but since incorporating these French details into my everyday life, I have lived everyday knowing that life is to be enjoyed and cared for and that no detail is too small to tend to. This post was original to The Petite Tresor Blog, but it’s been updated and expanded.
Here are the 10 French details that I incorporate into my everyday life to practice the fine art of living well.
Time for Leisure
One detail of life that many of us tend to relegate to another time and place is time for leisure. In our hyper-productive world of striving for more and better there is a thought that there is no time for leisure and play. But whenever you visit France, you will see an abundance of people simply spending their time in leisure. Whether it’s reading in the park, sipping a cafe creme leisurely at the cafe, playing bocce ball, visiting museums, or simply walking around and enjoying the sites, there is always time made for leisure and to enjoy life. This is one detail that I have incorporated into my life that has precipitously improved my wellbeing over the years. I create time every day, even on workdays, to enjoy some leisure time and hobbies to help refresh and relax me.
French Cookbooks and Cookware
French culture is synonymous with world-renowned cuisine and cooking. I have always loved cooking but when I started to learn the French style of cooking and how their culture is imbued with exquisite food, I knew that I would start to bring elements of this into my own life. One way that I have been able to do that is through purchasing French cookware and cookbooks. These details have elevated my cooking over the years through being able to use high quality cookware that will last a lifetime as well as learning new French recipes to enjoy at home. Through cooking and dining as the French do, I have been able to enjoy food in a pleasurable way since incorporating this detail into my life.
Antique Shopping
If you were to look into any French home, whether through Instagram, Pinterest or even on Airbnb, one thing that will stand out is their eclectic mix of decor that is not just new, but mostly antique. The French very much love their brocantes and treasure hunting to slowly curate their home’s style. They believe in finding that perfect object, a doorknob, delicate dishes, detailed curtains, etc., at antique shops versus purchasing something new. They believe that these objects have more history and character and are the better-quality options to purchase to create a home that is unique and full of visual beauty. I too have adopted this into my home decor style as a way of finding those rare objects that provide visual interest and elegance to my space.
Croissants on the Weekend
While baguettes for most French people are consumed on a daily basis, croissants are considered a weekend treat to be savored and I have certainly enjoyed brining this delicious detail into my everyday life. During the week I don’t eat breakfast as much since I work in an office and do not feel hungry enough to eat that early, but on the weekends, I like to bake up some croissants or pick up a baguette from the store to toast. Sometimes I may bake regular croissants and sometimes I may do chocolate croissants, but I always make time to savor this weekend treat. For the baguettes and regular croissants, I also make sure to serve them with French butter and Bonne Maman jam. It’s a small, but oh so delicious and pleasurable detail.
French Beauty Products
The fact that French craftsmanship is sought after worldwide through many products that are made in France, it is no wonder that French skincare and beauty are among these top products. I use many French beauty brands including Nuxe, Caudalie, Avene, Klorane, Bioderma and La Roche Possay. I know that I am getting top quality beauty care whenever I use French products, and I can attest that these products have worked beautifully for my skincare routine. The scents as well has added to the pleasure of using the products as each lotion, spray and face cream is always lightly scented. I always visit the French pharmacies when in Paris too as I love discovering even more brands and products to try.
A Love for Flowers
If you have ever been to Paris, then you have experienced this love of flowers nearly everywhere you went. Whether it was the florist shop around nearly every corner, the flower arrangements in hotels and restaurants, the many flower boxes displayed on the residentials buildings, or even one of the many beautiful gardens, there are flowers to savor nearly everywhere you go. This detail too was one that was always present within me, but it was one that I started to bring more of into my life as I started to buy flowers for my home andeven brining in multiple bouquets to display in my home instead of just one. I also love to visit gardens and flower displays here in town like Art in Bloom at the art museum every year. This detail is one that provides beauty into everyday life as well as a lovely reminder to stay present and savor the beauty of today.
An Appreciation for Art and Culture
I have always had an interest in art and culture in many facets such as art museums, symphonies, operas, food, history, historical estates, architecture, fashion, and even gardens, so this is one French detail that I started to incorporate into my life more deeply after observing the French’s love of these same things as well. I started to dive deeper into my curiosities and taking part of visiting art museums, historical estates, purchasing tickets for symphonies, operas, and ballets and doing tasting menus at fine dining restaurants. An appreciation of art and culture opened me up to the beauty and pleasure that can experienced through the senses and that makes everyday life a more beautiful experience.
Simple Elegant Style
As I started getting into my mid to late 20’s I started to incorporate more simple elegant style into my wardrobe, and this is where I also started to read and learn more about the French culture too. I was wanting to create a more refined life which really encompasses all of the details mentioned within this list, but for me it all started with personal style. I picked up a copy of Lessons from Madame Chic by Jennifer L. Scott to read and from there I read as many French lifestyle books that I could find as their philosophy had resonated with me more than the contemporary American one. Here in the United Stated the style was more of a fast fashion, quick trends and low-quality items whereas I was looking for something that was more elegant and of higher quality. Through incorporating the simple elegant style detail into my life, I have been able to curate a wardrobe of items that I love and that are made from quality material and craftsmanship.
Books, Books, and More Books
When visiting Paris one thing that you may quickly notice is that people are reading everywhere they go. In the cafes, in the parks, on the metro, sitting on a bench, waiting in a lobby…as long as there is time to fill, there is a book in hand to fill it. I have been incorporating this detail in my life by also reading anywhere I go too. I love to read in places outside of my home because it provides a fun way to also enjoy the book. I especially love reading outdoors in nature like in a park, in a cafe with a coffee and pastry, or by the pool (or any body of water). Taking a book along for any trip is a very simple detail that enriches the moment by being able to fill the time with something other than scrolling the phone.
Farmer’s Markets
Oh, how the French have it so lucky that there are fresh food stands on every corner year-round. While we do not have this same concept here in the United States on a large scale as they do, we do have the local farmer’s market and in most cities like the one I live in, there are several. Being able to purchase local, fresh produce is such a simple pleasure. You start to dream of the ways you are going to cook it up and enjoy it as well as also visiting other stalls that have freshly baked breads, flowers, pastries, candles, soaps and so much more. It’s a great way to support local farmers and to also know that you are getting the best quality of ingredients available.
Bonus Detail: High Quality Standards
This detail was saved for last because I believe this one is possibly the most important detail that I have incorporated into my everyday life from this list. The concept of high quality has been the lens of which I have tried to filter all my decisions through for many years now. This detail has saved me so much money, time, and peace of mind in knowing that what I choose to bring into my life, whether it be possessions or experiences, must be of high quality. Also, I have mentioned here before, a higher price does not equal higher quality. To discern high quality takes time and studying as well as trial and error. But to pursue this detail in my life has created one where I get to use and experience the best that I can afford in any given moment. The French practice this concept in everything they do too and will simply not purchase or do something if they believe that it is not of top quality to do so. Keeping this detail front in center of my life ensures that life will always be one that is of the best quality to be savored.
