Olea Tips : How to travel in France the French way

A guide to timeless elegance, cultural ease and the quiet confidence of moving well through France.

The French Art of travel : less, slower, better

France doesn’t ask to be impressed. It asks you to notice. To slow your step. To tune into beauty, not just in the grand and the obvious, but in the details : the way a table is set, the shade of blue on a shutter, the way someone ties a scarf without thinking twice.

To travel in France the French way is not to imitate, it is to observe, to adapt and above all, to appreciate. Here are Olea’s guiding principles for experiencing France as the French do, with grace, ease and a certain quiet flair.

Less is always more. The French are known for their effortless style, but that effortlessness is built on careful curation. This applies to how they pack, plan, shop, dine and even how they speak. Don’t overbook your days. Don’t overfill your suitcase. Don’t overdo. Choose quality over quantity, always. Visit fewer places, but see them more deeply. Leave room for spontaneity, for conversation, for wonder.

Dress for the day you want to have. You won’t often see French locals in yoga pants or hiking gear at lunch. Style isn’t performance, it’s simply part of daily life. Neutrals, well-fitted clothing, a scarf, leather shoes, always elegant, never excessive. Whether you’re strolling through Saint-Germain or heading to a seaside lunch in Provence, aim for a refined casual : thoughtful pieces, quiet textures and clothing that transitions from café to museum to aperitif with ease. Don’t rush the rituals. Meals, mornings, moments of silence, the French give these their full attention. Sit down for your coffee. Linger at lunch. Smell your wine before you sip. The point is not to be slow, but to be present. Even the most glamorous corners of France are built on rhythm, not urgency. Whether in Paris or on the Riviera, the most luxurious thing you can do is take your time.

Living the Part, the French Way

Speak softly, and let charm do the rest. The French value discretion, in dress, in behavior, in conversation. A low voice carries farther than a loud one. Kindness matters. So does curiosity. Learn a few words of French, use them with a smile and you’ll be met with warmth. Bonjour. Une table pour deux, s’il vous plaît. Merci.
It’s not about fluency, it’s about respect and rhythm.

Eat seasonally. Eat locally. Eat with joy. Whether you’re dining at a Michelin-starred table or ordering a tartine at a village café, the rule is the same : what’s fresh is what’s best. Menus shift with the seasons. Markets reflect the region and no one rushes through a good meal. Ask for recommendations. Try the local specialty. And never be afraid to order a glass of wine with your meal, it’s the French way.

Let beauty find you. You don’t have to search for magic in France, it’s everywhere.
In the way the light hits the stone in late afternoon. In the sound of church bells down a narrow alley. In a moment of stillness on a terrace before dinner. Yes, you can plan for the extraordinary, but the true luxury of the French art of travel is leaving room for what you didn’t expect.

Olea Voyages : The Elegance of Tuning In

At Olea Voyages, we believe that to travel in France the French way is not about blending in, it’s about tuning in. To rhythm, to elegance, to the art of noticing.

This is where presence becomes pleasure. And pleasure, in France, is never an afterthought, it’s a way of being.