-
Letters: The reality of finding a new doctor or dentist in France
Finding a replacement is nigh impossible, says Connexion reader in Lot-et-Garonne
-
The magic of mayonnaise: Why a homemade emulsion always woos guests in France
Plus, which shop-bought mayo brand is best?
-
Easter traditions across France: From rattles and hooded processions to giant omelettes
Regional Pâques celebrations highlight France’s cultural diversity
Needing closure
France, it has been said, shuts up shop for the month of August to take a holiday en masse .
The remainder of the year it (mainly) closes every Sunday for a rest, and for two solid hours on weekdays from 12 noon to 14.00 (the mandatory ‘entre midi et deux’) so that everyone can have a proper sit-down lunch. It can be infuriating when you want to buy a loaf at any of these times but the best advice is to go with local flow; have a holiday, day off or long lunch and enjoy a siesta yourself.
The workaholic modern world is steadily eating into this pattern but long may the French teach more hyperactive nations that life is a rhythm not a rush. There is a time for everything, even doing nothing. No one should be a slave to work or the timetabled whims of everyone else.
When one shopkeeper in a local town was asked, “Why don’t you open over lunchtime, you’d take all the customers from your competitor?” she replied, “If I do that, my competitor will open her shop too and neither of us will get to eat lunch.” Business is business but everyone needs a break.