I’ve been soaking up the French lifestyle for what feels like a lifetime, especially the “sacred” French lunch hour, which often luxuriously extends to two. I’ve transitioned from struggling to make myself understood with my less-than-perfect pronunciation to integrating fully into a local office as the only non-native French person and I’ve experienced the midday meal ritual up close. This unique perspective allows me to share a detailed and intimate look at what the sacred French lunchtime truly entails, from someone who started out observing and then became part of this delightful tradition.
Typical lunch hours in France (12:00 PM to 2:00 PM)
Now, lunch is normally between midday and 2 pm for the majority of workers across France. Before I used to take my lunch breaks as an opportunity to get other small menial tasks out the way, you know, calling my bank, returning that thing I ordered online to the post office etc but this soon changed. Not through my own choice but simply because none of these services were available. It is very normal that during this time of day most services are also taking full advantage of their lunch and are fully unwinding from work.
Eating outside of these hours
Living in France has reshaped my daily routine, especially when it comes to the sacred “French lunch” period. I used to graze through the day, grabbing a bite whenever hunger struck, but now I’ve become accustomed to the local custom of dining strictly between noon and 2 pm.
In my early days here, I often found myself eating at the strange time of 3 pm (a time that feels perfectly normal elsewhere). And what happened? Quickly, I learned that if you’re seeking an authentic French lunch at a local bistro, timing is everything; these eateries typically close their doors outside the standard lunch and dinner hours.
It was never a big panic about will I find something to eat, because if you are in a big city, especially a city that has a lot of tourists, it is normal to find a big chain like McDonald’s. However, if you want an authentic French menu, I’d recommend setting a reminder to make sure you eat between the hours of 12 pm and 2 pm.
Alcohol consumption during lunch
Enjoying alcohol with your meal is a quintessential part of the French lunch experience, but don’t let your imagination run wild with visions of excessive drinking that renders the afternoon’s work impossible. French dining is all about moderation and this is no different. It is normal to be served a glass of wine to go with your meal especially if you decide to dine in a restaurant for lunch.
Restaurant vs Work Canteen
Restaurants usually offer a choice of set lunch menus. This is perfect because it’s their busy period so they will have an influx of people so back in the kitchen they are making the same meal which means wait times aren’t usually too long as they are offering large quantities of the same dish. Plus you get the added benefit of a freshly cooked meal. A win-win situation!
Typically you’ll find a choice of a 2-course meal (starter and main course or main course and dessert) or the choice of a 3-course meal of a starter (referred to as an entrée in French) a main dish and finishing off with desert.
Bringing your own lunch to work or buying something from the bakery is also another option to those who are on a tighter budget or fancy eating something else. Even if you are eating lunch at work, it is normal to not sit at your desk to have lunch. Going to the canteen and socializing with colleagues, especially those from different departments is a great way to build relationships.
The reality of a two-hour lunch break in today’s fast pace moving world
Having a two-hour lunch break is not a mare myth, it does exist, but it would be misleading if I said that this certainty is like day following night. There were days when the workload was high and taking a full leisurely two-hour lunch break was not possible. Also trying to power through your work and eat at your desk to play catch up and stay ahead is a big no no. It is seen as acceptable to take a break during the day but yet feels like a catch 22 and there is no way to win. But the simple way to overcome this hurdle is to step away from your desk (even if its 30-45 minutes) to eat with your colleagues. I was told “Eating at your desk will lead to poor digestion and you’ll gain weight” but that’s a whole other blog post for another day!
To put it simply, valuing disconnecting from work to eat is essential… even if you’re short on time..
Have you had the experience of dining in a French restaurant at lunchtime or planning a trip to France? I hope this has been helpful by sharing what to look out for when you plan your next trip.
