Life in Paris

Paris, the capital of France, is  definitely a city that screams beauty. From its amazing castles like Chateau de Versailles and the Louvre to its gorgeous monuments like the Eiffel Tower or l'Arc De Triomphe. The city of light has earned its reputation as one of, if not the most, glamorous city in the world. But we all know that! We all know Paris, the city! But how about the people that live there? What's their daily life like? What do they eat ? What do they wear?  How do they move around the city?

Working and living in Paris 

Parisians, or french people in general, work typically 35 hours a week from Monday to Friday. Most shops open at 9 or 10 am and close around 7 pm and on Sundays but those in touristic areas , like Les Champs-Élysées ,may stay open longer. The french also enjoy a health care that is largely financed by the government and job security: those who have a permanent job practically can't be fired . However, as one of the most populated and large cities in Europe, Paris is very expensive. The majority lives in apartments that are tiny but still very costly. On average, a resident in Paris lives in a 31 m2 ( 333 sq ft ) space. Moreover the tax rate in France is very high.

What do Parisians eat ?

When you think about Paris and France, you think about fancy and delicious food. French cuisine is definitely rich and exquisite however Parisians don't enjoy it as much as they used to. Food is very expensive in the city but most importantly, with adults at work and children at school , time is lacking during the weekdays. In France, people typically eat 3 meals a day. They usually have coffee or hot chocolate for breakfast, along with bread, jam and butter or a croissant. Most of the time, Parisians work far away from home, that's why eating at work or bringing a lunch box are quite frequent. At dinner, everyone is finally home! That's the reason why, for the french, it's considered the most important meal of the day, the one you can share with family, eat at home or at a restaurant. Recently, fast-foods has become quite popular especially among children and teenagers.

A day in the life of a Parisian : means of transport and lifestyle 

Although there are a lot of traffic jams in Paris, most of the people there don't take their cars to work. In fact, Parisians do walk a lot and their favorite way to move around the city is public transport such as the metro, the RER, the bus... It can take you anywhere . The metro in the city of light is one of the oldest and most efficient ones in the world. For those living in Paris , it does take a lot of time to get to work and lunch breaks are often short or even nonexistent.

What do people wear in Paris ?

Paris is definitely an icon when it comes to fashion. Men and women dress gracefully and are very fashionable. So, how to dress like a french woman? The answer is quite simple: Neutral colors are preferred. Sweat pants and flip-flops are not to be worn in public. Not too much make-up, not too much accessories. Very high heels are deemed impractical and are mostly not worn. For men, stylish clean shoes and well-fitting clothes are a must. No saggy pants and just like women, black and neutral colors are preferred. Scarfs are also loved by both genders. French women and men don't usually follow trends. They have their own style and that's what makes them special.


You can see what's life like in Tunisia  here