Self care, spontaneity and slowing down - people in France have perfected the ideal Sunday routine and are inspiring social media users from around the world to give it a go.
Try typing ‘French Sundays’ on Instagram or Tiktok and you will find videos made by creators (often expats) sharing their takes on the trend, from sleeping in to browsing local markets and catching up over coffee.
In other parts of the world, such as America and Australia, Sunday is typically seen as a day for doing admin, going shopping, and ticking items off the to-do list, often topped off with a session of ‘Sunday scaries’. This is another internet term describing feelings of dread or anxiety sometimes experienced by employees or students at the prospect of another new work week.
With this in mind, people seem particularly drawn to the idea of reframing their Sundays through a French lens, focusing on embracing the final day of the week as dedicated time to disconnect.
How to have a ‘French Sunday’
It is not a new concept, however the idea of a slow Sunday particularly gained popularity after being discussed on Mamamia Out Loud, Australia's most listened-to podcast (as of January 2026).
“We have been doing Sundays wrong - the French are doing it right,” announced podcast co-host, Emily Vernem.
“French Sundays are supposed to be lazy, stress-free days, when the main activity is to do nothing,” she added.
Clips from the podcast have been viewed, shared and saved thousands of times across social media platforms, with several people from France confirming the claims in the comments.
American magazine Vogue also published an article in February, titled The Case for Having a ‘French Sunday,’ with a bullet pointed list of activities to try, including:
Self-care: conditioning your hair, moisturising your skin, stretching,
Cooking a long meal - a whole roast chicken for example,
Reading in the park and lounging in the grass,
Strolling aimlessly (also known as flâner in French),
Taking naps and making love.
Prioritising simple joys
“Living in France has honestly encouraged or rather forced me to slow down on Sundays,” said Emma Meese, 27, who first moved to France from Portland (Oregon, US) as a student in 2019.
@emmalalyonnaise if the french teach you anything, let it be how to spend a sunny sunday solo 😌
“Grocery stores being closed for most of the day has forced me to do my shopping on other days, but also steered me towards buying my fruit and veggies at the market instead, which is honestly better,” she told The Connexion.
Emma created a Tiktok account (@emmalalyonnaise) to share her experiences as an American living in Lyon and recently participated in the ‘French Sundays’ trend.
“If the French teach you anything, let it be how to spend a sunny Sunday solo,” reads the caption to one of her vlogs. The video shows clips taken throughout her day, whether going for a walk or reading at a café.
“Grabbing a croissant from my local bakery has become a staple in my Sunday routine and I love to go for a jog beforehand along the river and watch the sun rise.
“I enjoy meeting friends for our weekly catch-ups - and even though we aren't physically together, I call my family back in the States every Sunday in lieu of spending most of the day with them like I used to,” Emma said.
In her eyes, the French Sunday is a concept that performs well online because it ‘sells’ the type of lifestyle that so many seem to crave, placing enjoyment front and centre.
“In France, people often use the word profiter, which I have also started to use in English, meaning: to make the most of something. The French have a way of ‘profiting’ on Sundays - existing in the present moment, spending time with loved ones, and slowing down before a new week begins.
“All in all, I think my Sundays are a lot less centred around spending money nowadays - besides the coffee and croissant - because I have found the joy in simple pleasures,” she added.
On Sundays, Emma likes buying herself flowers from the market near her flat and enjoying a croissant in the sunEmma Meese
