I'm an American who's been living in Paris for 5 years. Here are 8 things that have most surprised me about living in the French capital.

Amanda RollinsJul 2, 2023, 18:52 IST

After growing up in the US, I moved to Paris, France, at 25.Antoine Antoniol/Getty Images

I'm an American who's lived in Paris, France, for the past five years.
My time here has brought countless surprises, from affordable healthcare to extremely long lunches.

Shortly after I turned 25, I asked myself: "If you could live anywhere, where would it be?"

The answer was always Paris. Growing up in the US, I'd taken French classes from sixth grade through college. The language and culture were always on my radar, so I decided to take the leap. Et voilà! Five years later, my American cat and I are still in Paris full-time.

Here are eight things that have surprised me about life in the French capital.

Locals rarely wear athleisure, and their elevated style has inspired me to build my own capsule wardrobe.

The garments I've added to my wardrobe since moving to Paris are versatile, simple, and timeless.Amanda Rollins

In Paris, lunch can be a production that lasts two or more hours.

People read, socialize, and drink at cafés for hours at a time.Amanda Rollins

Gym culture doesn't seem as prominent in Paris as it does in some US cities.

Many people run outside along the Seine instead of working out inside.Shutterstock

It's not a stereotype — many Parisians pick up a fresh baguette every single day.

Don't be surprised if you see Parisians chomping on a baguette as they walk home from work.Shutterstock

The legal drinking age is lower in France than it is in the US, and the culture surrounding alcohol feels different here.

People seem to approach drinking differently in France.Klaus Vedfelt/GETTY IMAGES

My pharmacist handwrites instructions on prescription boxes.

Sometimes their handwriting can be difficult to read.Amanda Rollins

People can smoke inside in a lot of Parisian nightclubs, and I've seen some light up inside house parties.

Ashtrays are on almost all café tables in Paris.Shutterstock

Because of France's social security, I spend significantly less on healthcare than I did in the US.

I avoided hospital visits in the US, but I don't hesitate to get checked out in France.Getty Images

I flew from New York to Germany in business class on Condor's brand new Airbus A330neo. The low-cost carrier provided exactly what I expected.

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