Why the French Take Their Time: Lessons in Living Well

May 8

In the heart of France, there's a quiet revolution happening every single day. It's not political or technological—but cultural. It's the art of taking your time. While the modern world accelerates toward deadlines, efficiency, and multitasking, the French seem to exist in a parallel universe where living well matters more than doing more.

From long café conversations to leisurely lunches and deeply valued vacations, this French mindset offers something rare and deeply needed—especially for fast-paced urban life in places like Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco. So what can we learn from the French way of life? Why do they take their time—and how can that philosophy improve your own day-to-day routine?

1. Time is Meant to Be Savored, Not Filled

In American cities like San Francisco or Oakland, time is often treated like a resource to be squeezed. Your calendar may be packed with appointments, emails, deadlines, errands, and side hustles. But in France, there's a radically different idea: time is for living, not just for doing.

A two-hour lunch is not "wasted time"—it's an essential part of the day. Walking to the market, chatting with the baker, sitting by the Seine with a book—all are expressions of a life well-lived. The French don't aim to be busy; they aim to be present.

This mindset is deeply rooted in French philosophy, especially in the concept of joie de vivre (the joy of living). Life is not a race to the finish line but an experience to be enjoyed, tasted, and savored.

Try it in the Bay Area: Whether you're in Berkeley's Gourmet Ghetto or wandering through Oakland's Temescal Alley, pick a spot to sit with a coffee. Stay. Watch. Breathe. Don’t rush to the next thing. Bring a notebook. Journal. Sketch. Let your mind meander.

A Cultural Contrast: Silicon Valley vs. Slow Living

It's no secret that the Bay Area is a hub of innovation and hustle culture. Startups, side projects, networking events, and back-to-back meetings define the rhythm. But what if slowing down could actually improve productivity and well-being?

Studies have shown that taking breaks and working fewer hours can lead to greater creativity, focus, and satisfaction. The French, with their longer lunches and shorter workweeks, may be on to something we desperately need.

2. Meals Are Rituals, Not Routines

One of the clearest reflections of this "slow life" philosophy is how the French eat. Meals are deliberate, social, and joyful. Even a simple dinner on a weeknight often includes multiple courses, real conversation, and an unrushed pace.

Compare that to the Bay Area norm of eating lunch while checking emails or having dinner in front of Netflix. What would change in your life if meals became moments of connection rather than checkpoints in your day?

Live it here: Try cooking a simple French meal—like a rustic coq au vin or ratatouille—and invite friends over. No phones at the table. Linger over wine and cheese. Talk about everything but work. Let the meal be the evening’s main event.

The Role of the Table in French Life

In France, the table is sacred. It's where families bond, lovers connect, and friends unwind. Children learn etiquette and the importance of conversation. Adults decompress and reflect. The act of dining is about much more than food—it's about being human.

Bay Area residents can replicate this by rethinking their dining spaces. Create ambiance with candles, soft music, and good company. Choose dishes that make you slow down. And always make room for dessert.

3. The French Prioritize Quality Over Quantity

In fashion, food, work, and even relationships, the French choose less—but better. A Parisian's closet is smaller but full of timeless, well-made staples. A French kitchen may be modest but filled with ingredients chosen with care.

This quality-first mindset goes hand-in-hand with taking time. Rushing leads to careless decisions and shallow experiences. Slowing down allows for thoughtfulness, depth, and long-term joy.

Practice it locally: Rather than buying five cheap tops from a fast fashion brand in San Francisco, save for one beautiful piece from a sustainable Berkeley boutique. Instead of skimming articles, read one long-form piece with focus. Let your choices reflect intention.

The Minimalist French Wardrobe

The concept of the "capsule wardrobe" has gained traction in the U.S., but it’s long been the norm in France. A few quality items—a well-tailored blazer, a cashmere sweater, a classic pair of loafers—can last a decade. It’s not just about fashion; it’s about sustainability, identity, and self-respect.

Apply this logic to your kitchen, your bookshelf, even your friendships. What matters isn’t how much you have—but how much meaning it holds.

4. Work is Just One Part of Life

In the U.S., we often define ourselves by our job titles. Work hours bleed into evenings and weekends. In France, there's a stronger boundary: your identity isn't just about what you do—but how you live.

French law famously limits work emails after hours. Vacations are longer and truly disconnected. And the question "what do you do?" is asked with less frequency than "what do you enjoy?"

Bay Area tip: Take a real lunch break. Close your laptop at 6 p.m. Take a digital detox weekend in the Berkeley Hills or along the Marin coastline. Reclaim the parts of your life that have nothing to do with your job.

The Power of Detachment

Detaching from work is not laziness—it’s wisdom. It allows the brain to reset, relationships to flourish, and burnout to be prevented. The French understand that rest is part of the rhythm of excellence. As a result, they tend to enjoy higher job satisfaction and more sustainable careers.

If you're working remotely from San Francisco or running your own business in Oakland, build boundaries. Don’t let work colonize your entire existence.

5. Leisure is Not a Luxury—It’s a Necessity

In the French worldview, pleasure and leisure aren’t indulgences. They’re essential. Reading a book by the fireplace, going for a walk in the countryside, napping in the sun—these aren’t laziness. They are l’art de vivre—the art of living.

In contrast, the American grind culture often guilts us for resting. There’s always something else to check off the list. But ask yourself: when are you most creative, open, and content? It's probably when you're relaxed.

Bring it to the Bay: Explore slow Sundays at the Berkeley Rose Garden. Spend an unplanned afternoon at Oakland's Lake Merritt. Prioritize joy without productivity.

Embracing the Unscheduled

Leave gaps in your calendar. Let spontaneity back into your life. The most memorable moments often come unplanned—a sunset that stops you in your tracks, a conversation that goes deeper than expected, a lazy morning that nourishes your spirit.

The French build time for leisure into their daily routine. And they never apologize for it.

6. The Café Is a School of Life

The café is the soul of the French lifestyle. It’s not just where you grab coffee—it’s where life unfolds. People meet, argue, flirt, read, write, and watch the world. There's no rush to order, no pressure to leave.

Imagine if your local café in San Francisco or Oakland became a place to be, not just to get caffeine. That shift in mindset changes everything—from how we socialize to how we value community.

Try it out: Next time you're in Berkeley’s Elmwood District or near North Beach in SF, sit at a café. Don’t work. Don’t scroll. Just sit. Make eye contact. Smile. You’re living the French way.

Café Culture as Community Medicine

In France, cafés serve as public living rooms. They're accessible, welcoming, and non-transactional. You don’t need a reason to be there. This fosters a sense of belonging and reduces loneliness—something sorely needed in many U.S. cities.

Berkeley and Oakland have beautiful independent cafés. Claim them as your spaces to slow down and connect.

7. Vacations Are Sacred

In France, vacation is non-negotiable. The average French person takes 5–6 weeks off per year—and they use them. These aren't staycations where you secretly answer Slack messages. These are real breaks from work, often spent with family or in nature.

The result? Less burnout. More life balance. A healthier society.

Bay Area inspiration: Take your vacation days. Don’t apologize for them. Whether it's a wine weekend in Napa or a European summer adventure, treat it as a chance to reset, not just escape.

Designing Real Rest

Rest doesn’t happen by accident. You have to design for it. Block off time in advance. Set autoresponders. Leave your laptop at home. Whether it’s a cottage in Carmel or a cabin in Tahoe, let yourself go offline. Let your nervous system breathe.

French people understand that life is too precious to be spent only in service of work. Make that your motto too.

8. Beauty Matters—In the Everyday

To the French, beauty isn’t reserved for special occasions. It’s everywhere: fresh flowers on the table, handwritten notes, the way the light hits a building at sunset. This attention to beauty enhances daily life and uplifts the spirit.

Daily beauty in the East Bay: Stop to admire the architecture in Oakland's Grand Lake Theater. Buy yourself flowers from Berkeley Bowl. Light a candle for no reason at all.

Cultivating the Aesthetic Eye

Beauty is not about perfection. It’s about presence. It's noticing texture, color, contrast, scent, sound. When you engage your senses, you ground yourself in the now. You elevate the ordinary.

Let your home, your desk, your rituals reflect care. Let them reflect you.

9. Saying "Non" is Powerful

The French aren’t afraid to say non. They guard their time, set boundaries, and don’t overcommit. This clarity creates space for what really matters—and protects them from burnout.

Practice French-style boundaries: Say no to social events that feel like obligations. Protect your weekend. Set screen-time limits. Leave work at work. Say "yes" only to what brings you joy or value.

The Gift of Limits

Saying no is an act of self-respect. It communicates that your time and energy matter. The French understand that being constantly available is not sustainable. They model how to protect what’s sacred.

Start by asking yourself, "What do I want to say yes to?"

10. Connection Is a Lifestyle

Above all, the French value connection—real connection. With others. With themselves. With nature. With the moment.

They believe that relationships thrive not on speed, but on time shared. That solitude is nourishing, not scary. That presence is the ultimate gift.

Live it now: Put your phone away during dinner. Call a friend just to chat. Take a walk without earbuds. Be where you are.

What the Bay Area Can Learn from France

Living in Berkeley, Oakland, or San Francisco, we’re surrounded by innovation, ambition, and creativity. But sometimes, what we really need isn’t to do more—it's to be more present.

The French remind us that slowing down doesn’t mean falling behind. It means aligning with what matters most: relationships, joy, rest, beauty, and time well spent. You don’t need to move to Paris to live this way. You just need to choose it, one small ritual at a time.

Want to Explore French Language and Culture?

At Polyglottist Language Academy, we offer engaging, community-centered French classes in the Bay Area—designed for curious minds who love language and culture. Whether you're in Berkeley, Oakland, or San Francisco, we’ll help you immerse yourself in the French lifestyle—without the passport.

Continue Reading: Explore More on Our Blog

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Olga Sylvia