The art of Sunday à la française, or the so-called “French Sunday,” has been in the spotlight lately. And for good reason: in France, the last day of the week is not dedicated to household chores or endless to-do lists. It's a time for rest, reflection, restoring inner balance, and warm encounters with loved ones and yourself. In many regions of the country, most shops and services are closed on Sunday, so the atmosphere itself is not conducive to productivity.
Sounds like the kind of day everyone needs. Here's how to adapt this charming French concept to your own rhythm, no matter where you live.
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What is “French Sunday”?
“French Sunday” is more of a state of mind than a strict schedule. While the tradition of relaxed, laissez-faire Sundays in France has been around for a long time, the term itself has only recently become popular. Thanks to social media, magazines, and podcasts. Its essence is simple: Sunday should be a day of rest, sheltered from the efficiency and rush that permeate the rest of the week.
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The French even have a saying: “Que votre dimanche soit comblé de grâce, de paix, et de bénédiction” (“May your Sunday be filled with grace, peace, and blessings”). The key to the concept is deliberate slowness. Paying attention to your body and thoughts without having to prove or demonstrate anything. “A French Sunday is a lazy, stress-free day where the main thing is to do nothing,” explains Emily Wernham, co-host of the podcast Mamamia Out Loud. Where other cultures see Sunday as an extension of a productive week, the French approach opts for spontaneity and enjoyment. It's a mandatory pause, without compromise.
How to introduce “French Sunday” into your life
The first step is to allow yourself to stop trying to “squeeze the most” out of every minute. Turn off your alarm. Cancel your hectic plans. Trust your body and intuition to set the rhythm of your day.
Focus on simple but conscious pleasures: a slow coffee by the window that has time to cool down because the newspaper has captured your attention. A walk without a clear goal. A lunch that smoothly turns into an afternoon rest. It is better to put your phone in “do not disturb” mode or keep it turned off altogether.
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Among the activities that can make up the perfect “French Sunday”:
- get enough sleep;
- prepare something that takes time — for example, baked chicken with lemon;
- go to the park with a book and a blanket;
- to wander aimlessly around the city (the French call it flâner);
- to take a nap during the day;
- visit the museum without rushing;
- have a long lunch with family;
- watch two movies in a row at the cinema;
- or just allow yourself to not plan anything.
The point is to choose feeling over action, intuition over scheduling, leisure over productivity. To be present in the moment and savor it. Above all, a “French Sunday” is a way to allow yourself the softer side of life and to embrace the idea that stillness and inactivity are as valuable as achievement.
Source: Vogue.com