Art de vivre is something that French people take for granted every day. And, it’s something that people who visit France really love. But what actually is art de vivre, and where does it come from? Janine Marsh explains its roots, its manifestations, and how everyone can practice this cultural philosophy.
What exactly is art de vivre?
Art de vivre means the art of living well, the good life. It’s a uniquely French approach to life, about savouring the moment, living life with passion and elegance. It’s a fundamental part of the French psyche, and embodies a lifestyle that prioritises pleasure, beauty, and sophistication in everyday activities. Art de vivre covers everything in daily life from leisurely meals that celebrate gastronomic excellence to the careful selection of fashion and décor. It’s about embracing joy, cultivating taste, and living harmoniously. And it’s a philosophy that has been woven into the fabric of French history, influencing how the French eat, dress, socialize, and even think.
Now that could sound a bit complicated, so let’s break it down. Writer Francoise Hertel described art de vivre as: ‘The art of living life to the full is not so much about complicating the simple things as it is about simplifying the unsimplified” (‘L’art de vivre pleinement ne consiste pas tant à compliquer les choses simples qu’à simplifier celles qui ne le sont pas’).
What art de vivre really means is a life that is joyful, spent surrounded by things that give us comfort and pleasure. But it’s more than that, fundamentally its about striving to find happiness in the small moments. It’s about appreciating and finding pleasure in the ordinary parts of everyday life, always discovering something to smile about.
History of art de vivre
But why do the French practice art de vivre you might ask! Well, the whole idea of it goes back to the time of the French Renaissance, the late 16th and early 17th centuries. It was a time when France was a crucible of artistic, intellectual, and culinary innovation. Leonardo da Vinci lived in the Loire Valley, King Francois Ier of France who was known as the Renaissance King, encouraged an appreciation for beauty and pleasure in all forms. And that appreciation for the finer things in life never went away, and became a part of every day life.
How does French art de vivre work in daily life
Today when we say art de vivre, we mean the art of appreciating beautiful things. It’s taking the time to admire a place, the efforts that someone has gone to in order to create a delicious dish, a good wine. It’s something that encompasses small pleasures and big celebrations. For instance, it’s time spent with family without rushing, or going to a cultural event. It’s sitting at a table on the pavement outside a café with nothing to do except sip black coffee from a pure white cup and watch the world go about its business. It’s taking time to appreciate a beautifully laid table, a jewel-like cake. It’s nibbling the end of a baguette on the way home from the boulangerie or sharing a bottle of wine with friends.
Art de vivre is about visiting an art gallery to admire the work of an artist, or reading a book at home that moves you. It is about enjoying a beautifully arranged vase of flowers, the details of well-crafted clothes, the label of a wine bottle or a stolen kiss… It’s taking the time to appreciate a platter of cheese, made more beautiful by the addition of seasonal flowers.
Art de vivre is in the details of small things. Take Petit Lu biscuits! They’re like miniature works of art when you look closer. At first glance, these popular cookies look just like any other square cookie, albeit with an ornamental jagged edge. But if you have nothing better to do, you may count the jagged bits around the edges which number 52 and represent the number of weeks of the year. The four corners represent the seasons. The words L.U. PETIT-BEURRE NANTES are cut into the biscuits, and around them are 24 pinhole perforations – the 24 hours of the day. The design hides a message: you can eat these biscuits any time of the day, all year round!
It’s embracing life to its fullest every day, noticing the small things and finding them a big pleasure. It’s taken for granted in France, it’s something the French grow up with, being taught to appreciate how much effort has gone into something to change it from ordinary to extraordinary, and they teach their children to do the same. The perfect example is gastronomy. The French meal, which is recognised by UNESCO as a cultural treasure, is about emphasising local ingredients, meticulous preparation, and sharing. You could think that it’s fairly mundane to prepare an evening meal for the family, especially if you buy something convenient from the supermarket, perhaps sat in front of the Television to eat it. And yes of course in France people do that – but not all the time. The French meal often starts with planning it, discussing it, buying the ingredients then eating it, each stage to be savoured.
My French neighbours love to talk about what they’re going to cook and where they will buy the ingredients. And meals with friends can go on for many hours, it’s about sharing and showing appreciation of the ingredients and those you share with.
How to practice art de vivre
To practice art de vivre, embrace simple moments and elevate them to a moment of pleasure. Don’t rush your cup of coffee, take time to relax and enjoy. You might stroll through the forest on a sunny afternoon, feeling joy at a beam of sunlight cascading through the leafy canopy, when you share a meal with friends – revel in the experience.
Practicing art de vivre means paying attention to the small things, embracing the simple things, and transforming everyday rituals into memorable moments to savour and appreciate. In essence it means slowing down and relishing the moment.
Janine Marsh is the author of several internationally best-selling books about France. Her latest book How to be French – a celebration of the French lifestyle and art de vivre, is out now – a look at the French way of life. Find all books on her website janinemarsh.com. Join Janine on her week long Perfect Paris Tours (spring and fall) and enjoy art de vivre in the city of light!
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