The concept of “French Sunday” has recently gained wider attention, and for good reason. In France, the last day of the week is not for chores or errands, but for rest, reflection, reconnection, and resetting. It’s a time to nurture bonds with family, friends, and yourself. In many parts of the country, most shops and services are closed, so there’s little pressure to accomplish much anyway. It sounds like the kind of day we could all use. Here’s how to embrace this delightful French idea, no matter where you live.

What is French Sunday?

French Sunday is less of a routine and more of a cultural mindset. While the French have long practiced leisurely Sundays, the term has become more popular recently through social media, magazines, and podcasts. The core idea is that Sunday should be a day of rest, protected from the efficiency and urgency that often fill the rest of the week.

The French even have sayings that capture this spirit, like “Que votre dimanche soit comblé de grâce, de paix, et de bénédiction,” which means “May your Sunday be filled with grace, peace, and blessings.”

At its heart, the concept is about embracing deliberate slowness. It’s a time to pay attention to your body and mind, free from the need to perform or rush. “French Sundays are supposed to be lazy, stress-free days, when the main activity is to do nothing,” explains Emily Vernem, co-host of the podcast “Mamamia Out Loud.” While other cultures might see Sunday as a productive extension of the week for personal or administrative tasks, French Sunday celebrates spontaneity and pleasure. In France, it’s seen as an essential, non-negotiable break that allows space to breathe.

How to adopt the French Sunday

First, make the radical decision not to maximize every minute of your Sunday—at least not in the traditional, hustle-culture way. Turn off your alarm, cancel hectic plans, and let your intuition and body set the pace for the day.

Focus on simple, intentional pleasures: lounging with a coffee that goes cold because you lingered over the newspaper, taking a walk without a destination, or enjoying a lunch that stretches into the afternoon. Put your phone on “do not disturb”—or turn it off completely.

To bring the idea to life, here are some “activities” that could make up a wonderful French Sunday. You can do them wherever you live, and at your own pace, of course.

– Sleep in. When you wake up, sit by the window with a coffee and a pastry.
– Take your time with self-care: condition your hair, moisturize your skin, stretch.
– Cook something slow, like a whole roasted chicken with lemon.
– Take a book and a blanket to the park and lounge in the grass.
– Wander through a flea market or farmer’s market.
– Find a pretty view, sit down, and let your thoughts flow.
– Stroll aimlessly—the French even have a word for this: flâner.
– Take a ridiculously long nap, maybe with breaks for snacks.
– Visit a museum. Study each piece without feeling the need to analyze it.
– Catch up with family over a long, leisurely lunch.
– Work on a puzzle while listening to music or chatting with a friend.
– Watch two movies back-to-back at a theater.
– Make love.

In short, the idea is to focus on sensations over action, intuition over planning, and meandering over productivity. It’s about being present and savoring the moment—dilly-dallying, daydreaming, dawdling.

Above all, it’s about embracing the softer side of life and yourself, with the deep inner knowing that taking it easy is just as worthwhile as anything else.

Have a beautiful Sunday.Is there a beauty or wellness trend you’re curious about? Let us know! Email Vogue’s senior beauty and wellness editor at beauty@vogue.com.

Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs The Case for a French Sunday

Beginner Definition Questions

1 What exactly is a French Sunday
Its a cultural concept inspired by France where Sundays are traditionally reserved for rest family leisure and community with many shops closed to protect this time

2 Isnt this just about closing shops
Thats a big part of it but its more about the purpose to create protected collective downtime away from commercial pressure and work obligations

3 Is this a law or just a suggestion
In France its largely law for nonessential retail The case for it elsewhere is an argument to adopt similar principles whether through policy business practices or personal choice

Benefits Reasons

4 What are the main benefits of a Frenchstyle Sunday
Mental Health Provides guaranteed guiltfree rest
Family Social Bonds Creates dedicated time for connection without scheduling conflicts
Community Life Encourages local outdoor activities parks and casual socializing
WorkLife Balance Establishes a clear societal boundary between work and personal time

5 Doesnt this hurt the economy and workers who want hours
Its debated Proponents argue it protects workers in retail and services from mandatory irregular hours boosts productivity the rest of the week and shifts spending to local cafes bakeries and leisure activities that are open

6 How does it help with burnout
By making rest a shared societal norm it reduces the fear of missing out on work or shopping It legitimizes doing nothing as a valuable part of life countering constant availability culture

Common Problems Objections

7 What if I need to buy something urgently
Advocates stress that essential services remain open The idea is to limit nonessential shopping encouraging a bit of planning

8 This sounds inconvenient and restrictive
It can be initially The argument is that the shortterm inconvenience of not shopping is traded for the longterm benefit of a slower less stressful pace of life for everyone

9 What about people who dont have family or go to church
Its for