If you’re planning on moving to France or already living here, you’ve probably imagined the highlights. Fresh bread from the boulangerie, long lunches, walkable cities, and easy access to mountains or the sea. In many ways, France delivers on all of that.
But daily life in France also comes with a set of unexpected adjustments.
As Americans living in France, we quickly realized that some of the biggest differences aren’t the obvious ones. They show up in everyday routines, social expectations, and systems that work very differently from what we were used to in the U.S.
These culture shocks in France aren’t necessarily bad. In fact, many of them are part of what makes life here so appealing. But they can take time to understand, and even longer to get used to.
In this article, we’ll walk through 11 culture shocks of moving to France that stood out most to us. If you’re considering a move or just arrived, this will give you a clearer picture of what daily life in France really feels like beyond the vacation version.
France’s Love of Fixed Costs
The French love their insurance products and forfait billing. There seems to be an insurance plan for just about every item and activity. From car maintenance to activity insurance required to join most associations, there’s a supplemental policy for everything.
Most recurring charges are billed at a flat rate too. All of our utilities are billed at a flat rate, with no option offered to simply pay as you go.
Very Few Advertisements
Compared to the billboard-plastered US, France has surprisingly few advertisements stuffed into daily life. Most advertisements are small and unintrusive, blending into the surrounding environment.
Lack of Personal Space
Personal space in France is generally identical to the US. But there is one big exception: in the grocery store.
Aisles are smaller, lanes are narrower, and it’s usually crowded. It’s quite common here to reach around someone or brush up against them when shopping. No “pardon” or “excusez-moi” necessary. In fact, most French shoppers don’t seem to acknowledge that anyone else is in the store with them.
The Air Quality in Europe
Between the higher population density, wood heating in homes, and their obsession with diesel, the air quality in Europe is drastically worse than in the US. Any long stretch of days without rain inevitably leads to hazy skies and foul-smelling air. Plan on purchasing an air purifier if you’re sensitive.
Stunning Architectural Beauty
After a lifetime of living around strip malls and car dealerships, France’s architecture can be breathtaking. Not just in the top 10 tourist destinations, but woven into every town and village in the country.
The French have really prioritized building beautiful cities, and it makes every trip through them more enjoyable.
Lack of Creative Problem Solving
In France, the customer-facing workers aren’t exactly motivated to try to find a solution for you. Whatever your problem may be, if it doesn’t fit inside a neat box of easy answers, you’ll be simply told they cannot do it. Even worse, they may tell you, incorrectly, that it’s completely impossible anywhere in France, and nowhere else will be able to do it either.
No worker is concerned with losing business or upsetting customers. If something is complicated or they just don’t feel like doing it, they won’t do it. In France, the employee, not the customer, is king.
The Speedo – Legally Required
Many French public pools ban loose-fitting swimwear for men, requiring a Speedo to be worn instead…
In France, men’s sportswear tends to be much tighter and more revealing than in the US. Yoga pants are unisex here!
French Unfriendliness
The French can be quite cold at first. While we were expecting this from wait staff and customer-facing employees, we were surprised how it extended to include neighbors and community members too.
Several of our new neighbors passed us in the hallway while we were moving in, quietly whispering “Bonjour” as they ducked into their apartments. A far cry from the new resident welcome in America.
Tech Unsavvy
France is slow to adopt new technologies, and it’s quite apparent in daily life. Most communication is over the phone, rather than email or messages. Many businesses have no website or online presence. Bureaucratic tasks still rely on paper forms.
Things are done the old-fashioned way, and no one is bothered by it. There may be a better way to streamline processes through the internet or an app, but it won’t happen here anytime soon.
Less Consumerism
France is much less consumeristic than the US. It still exists here, but nowhere near the levels back in America.
There’s little consumer debt or overt displays of wealth. People are much more likely to talk about being thrifty and how they can’t afford something. No one is “flexing” or showing off their expensive car/clothes/house.
High Standards for Driving
In France, as well as much of Northern Europe, driving is a privilege, not a right. Licenses are much harder to earn and are faster to be revoked. Rules are stricter and taken seriously.
This creates a much more civilized and orderly road culture, compared to the Wild West of American streets. The speed limit is the maximum limit, stopping for pedestrians is not optional, and the left lane is strictly for passing.
If you have questions or want to share your own culture shocks, feel free to leave a comment below or write us directly.
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