I Tried Living Like a Stereotypical French Girl

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While working as an English language assistant in France for ten months, my lifestyle evolved dramatically from my years living in the Midwest. Before moving abroad, my understanding of France was heavily influenced by black-and-white films from the 50’s and 60's that posed icons like Brigette Bardot, Catherine Deneuve, and Jeanne Moreau as the ideal French women. Then I become fascinated by modern-day French cool girls like Jeanne Damas and Leia Sfez. I became captivated by the almost paradoxical image of the French woman - she was chic, yet effortless, mysterious yet open, romantic yet pragmatic. During my time abroad I met many French women and saw that their lives were far from the perfect perceptions that I saw in the media. However, they lived their lives in a way that showed me how to live simply and fully.

Now that I am back in the United States shortly, I thought I would show you the new rituals and mindsets that I have implemented to bring the joie de vivre to my day-to-day here. Hopefully you can try out these small habits to find more serenity, joy and confidence.

A Day in the Life of a Stereotypical French Girl

French Beauty Routine

I started off my morning with a simple, yet luxurious routine to get ready for the day. I took a short shower, then pampered my skin with my favorite products. No, I didn’t apply 10 layers of the most expensive potions — most French women I know are actually quite modest with their skincare routines. I cleansed my skin with a simple cleanser, applied a moisturizer and then layered a lightweight sunscreen.

The typical French makeup routine is also super easy and effortless, but there really is no “French girl” look. Some women wore eyeliner others bright lipstick, but what I noticed was that there was never too many products used at once. For my makeup, I applied a light tinted moisturizer with SPF, bronzer, eyebrow pencil, mascara and a glossy lipstick in under 7 minutes. Most of the products I used were a little expensive, but by using just a few products I enjoyed a little luxury without breaking the bank.

After applying my makeup I brushed my hair and opted against heat styling for an easier, more natural look. Then I applied a few spritzes of my favorite perfume, Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle. To me, the blend of orange, jasmine and rose radiates vibrancy, youth and sexiness.

Café Culture

Most French people are not eating out every morning for breakfast — even though they are usually heading out to get their daily baguette — but you will find many people enjoying a coffee at their local cafés throughout the day. For breakfast, I enjoyed an espresso and croissant at my local bakery and café. Although I normally skip breakfast and opt for a large lunch, today I decided to take time to sit down and revel in this buttery bliss. I sat outside and did some people watching, then headed back home after 15 minutes. It might not seem like a long time, but it felt like I truly took pleasure in relaxing during this part of my morning.

Read More: Where to Eat Breakfast in Paris

The Parisian Chic Look

For my outfit I chose something chic, yet comfortable — something that I admire so much about the style of so many women I met in France. I chose a pair of dark-wash bootcut jeans, a white tee, and a pair of black booties. For accessories, I threw on my favorite gold hoop earrings and a simple black belt. The overall look was easy to put together and didn’t look too casual or too dressy. Most of all, it was something I felt confident about wearing. You’ll come across many different styles of dress in France — it’s not just the typical “French girl” look — but the individuals who look the best are the ones that are being themselves and rocking it.

French Work Culture

Yes, amongst the coffee breaks, smoke breaks, and month-long vacations, it’s true that the French actually work. One thing I loved about living in France was the balance between work and everything else. It doesn’t mean that day-to-day work is not stressful, but they don’t seem to let work dictate their entire life. A good example of that is their 1 to 2 hour long lunch breaks. The idea seems to oppose everything about my usual lunch habits — sitting at my desk, eating out of my Tupperware containers while still working. However, it was actually relaxing to focus on my meal, and it was easier for me to continue my work afterward.

After working for a few hours, I took a 1-hour lunch break and ate a coursed meal. For my lunch I started with a vegetarian sandwich with mozzarella, tomato, and balsamic vinaigrette, then followed with a simple chopped salad. After the salad I ate a few slices of my favorite French cheese and a piece of fruit. The meal was paired with a small glass of wine too. Now this is how a meal should be enjoyed!

The Art of French Leisure

Instead of watching a few episodes on Netflix after work, I opted to take a short walk to through the park. The French walk everywhere, which is probably why they are able to maintain their shape while eating the most sinful foods. It was refreshing to be outdoors, and I even found a cozy spot to read for a bit — and don’t judge, I am currently reading Harry Potter in French. Not all French people are reading during their free time, but they enjoy their favorite hobbies, whether it’s learning languages, exercising, painting, playing instruments or even watching Netflix. The most important thing is to become a connoisseur of your daily life by making time for your interests.

Read More: The Best French TV Shows

Eating Like the French

My dinner was very similar to my lunch, however, I spent a little extra time to prepare it for my family too. A meal in France, especially dinner, is almost always spent with good company and filled with conversation. We enjoyed an apéritif, a delicious tomato pesto tarte, baguette with cheese and butter, kouign amann for dessert and lots of wine. Most of the ingredients and items came from the farmer’s market or local bakeries and artisanal shops that I stopped by the past weekend. It lasted almost 2 hours — which no one had expected — and I think that demonstrates how a great meal can really bring people together.

End-of-Day Rituals à la Française

One thing that I admire about the French is that they are generally interested in art and culture. Although most exhibits are closed at the moment, I chose to find another way to enjoy a little culture by ending my day with a lavender bubble bath featuring my favorite mousse from L’Occitane en Provence and an ARTE documentary. I felt both calm and cultivated. It was an ideal ending to my day of trying to live like the stereotypical French girl.

While the stereotypical French girl may be a cultural trope, I’ve found that beneath the clichés is a celebration of everyday life and a dedication to the joie de vivre. I hope this experiment will inspire you to infuse your own life with the elegance and simplicity that defines the essence of being a stereotypical French girl.

What do you think of this French-inspired day in the life? Let me know in the comments below.