Living French: 7th edition

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In a BBC article about Why the French don’t show excitement, the French teacher of the author told her this theory on the key distinction between the Americans and the French: In France, the traditional apéritif is a cultural ritual and a brilliant French custom that you can adopt everywhere. The French apéritif is a pre-dinner drink, a moment of sharing —with family or friends—, and preparing your palate for the meal to follow. Instead, the way the French care for themselves is more about doing something for themselves every day. It’s something naturally embedded in their daily routine like traditions and rituals passed from generation to generation. Here are a few tips to take better care of yourself: In “Le Peintre de la vie moderne” (The Painter of Modern Life) published in 1863, Charles Baudelaire wrote: “For the perfect flâneur, for the passionate spectator, it is an immense joy to set up house in the heart of the multitude, amid the ebb and flow of movement, in the midst of the fugitive and the infinite”.

The truth is, however, that living in France doesn’t have to be the only way that you experience the French lifestyle and culture. The Parisian lifestyle, in particular, is something that can be copied in metropolitan areas, while overall French living can be adopted anywhere you live. My French Living Blog is a lifestyle blog for francophiles, bon viveurs and anyone who appreciates the good things in life! French Living BlogEmbracing cultural activities like this is a wonderful way of getting more involved in the community and raising your awareness about the arts. It can give your soul more depth, more passion, and an artistic flair that can make you quite French! 9. Take it slow and steady Sunday in France is sacred. The French Sunday is a dedicated day for doing absolutely nothing except spending time with family. The French are known for their long Sunday lunches “déjeuners dominicaux” that stretch into the afternoons. It’s the perfect day to take the time to sleep, eat, to visit family and relatives. Sunday in France is a time for everyone to just “être” (to be). Start by decluttering. Go through every section of your house and donate or toss any item that doesn’t bring you pleasure. Every single item you own, should bring you joy in some way, even the functional and practical items. Create a list of all the items you truly need in each room. Slowly, work your way through curating your items. Only buy the best quality you can afford and only if you truly love it. Overtime, your life will be filled with only items that are of high quality and bring you joy. But knowing how to argue and confront the ideas of one’s interlocutors is not enough. One still has to be able to convince with ease by using oratory techniques based on charisma, voice, and posture, named “art of eloquence”. What’s the truth behind all these myths – and could French life work for you? If you plan to buy property and live in France, either permanently or part-time, it pays to be flexible about embracing the culture and keep an open mind and heart. So find out more about the many different aspects of living in France. Family life

They believed thatthe dissemination of knowledge would encourage reform in every aspect of life. The fundamental element of French philosophy is intellectual freedom: the freedom to use one’s own reason. And so it began when I was a child, no doubt, as my mother always cultivated a warm home, but as I grew up and became responsible for establishing my own abode, it took much exploration, dead-ins from time to time and investment to create a space that allowed the everyday to be just as stimulating as new experiences brought about by travel. Also, if 67% say it’s not easy to talk about either the amount of their savings or their financial investments, 52% think it’s difficult to talk about their salary. In fact, in France, it’s more taboo to talk about money than it is to talk about sex, according to Janine Mossuz-Lavau, a sociologist and senior researcher at the Cevipof, and author of the 2007 book L’Argent et nous (Money and us). Find a cafe that gives you wonderfully charming, cozy, French vibes. We’re partial to Le Pain Quotidien in terms of a chain you can find in several major cities and we also have a guide to French spots in Los Angeles. Take a friend, a book, or just yourself, and plan to spend a few hours. You’d be surprised how wonderfully luxurious it can feel to linger over a single cup of coffee, glass of wine, or pastry. If you’re nervous about going solo, take a book along, but challenge yourself to spend at least 10 minutes simply enjoying the company of yourself and people watching. The French have no problem spending time alone and we believe that’s an important skill for everyone to master. 8. Master the art of conversation These techniques are learned at university and in the “grandes écoles” (business schools). Each year many universities held “Concours d’éloquence”, among the most prestigious are the Concours international d’éloquence of La Sorbonne and “Le Prix Mirabeau”: a public speaking competition that brings together students from the ten Institutes of Political Studies in France. 7. Say “Non” More Often

French Lifestyle

The living room, “le salon”, is the most important room in the house, where you have quality time with your friends and family, watching TV, playing games, reading magazines, having discussions and cozying up with a book. Indeed, it is where most social activities occur, the part of the house your guests and loved ones see the most. In addition to being a socializing place, it’s a space to relax after a busy day, where you are not at work or outside. Therefore, it should reflect your and your family interior preferences. Transforming and refining your living space can be self-enhancing. Taking the time to find the right pieces of furniture is crucial to create inviting atmosphere you’re looking for.Our collection of Hand Crafted French Furniture for your Living Room will enhance and elevate your abode. Browse our extensive range of classically styled Furniture. View our selection of French, Rococo, Venetian, Ornate & Art Deco Furniture. With our range of beautifully crafted reproduction pieces including styles from Louis, Chateau, Shabby Chic, Classical & Deco ranges. All our products are made with comfort in mind. Bench Stools & FootstoolsBeautiful extra seating in your living space from our selection of Bench Stools & Footstools will add a burst of colour and vibrance to the room. We are offering wide range and happy to help you find the style that matches your décor. Bookcase & Display CabinetsOur collection of Bookcases & Display Cabinets inspired by unique designs and contemporary finishes. Classic Bookcases, Contemporary Dressers and French Style Bookcases; all explore a large variety of materials. Coffee TablesAttractive and elegant, a coffee table adds functionality and style to your home. Whether Shabby Chic, French or Venetian Coffee tables, all are made from durable materials and stunning colours. Console TablesWooden, Mirrored and Antique Console tables, La Maison Chic provides many stunning options for every taste. Console Table is a great way to utilize small spaces by including additional storage with style and sophistication. Side & Occasional TablesPositioned beside a piece of furniture, Side & Occasional Tables increase the welcoming sense by keeping the essential items accessible so finding the right height and shape is very important. Writing DesksWriting desks are attractive pieces of furniture. Placed near a natural light source, they add sophistication and elegance to the room. Smart-looking, they are versatile and can be used for work or personal drawing and writing projects. Find time to treasure hunt. Even if you are not necessarily going to buy, poke around in local consignment shops, yard sales, second-hand shops, antique boutiques and even boutiques that catch your eye. If nothing else, you will walk away with ideas on how to design, style and mix and match what you already have.