Before moving to France more than two decades ago, I never thought much about water. I drank it here and there, usually when I remembered, but it wasn’t something I reached for automatically. Carrying around a water bottle? Yes. Drinking from it regularly? Not so much. Hydration was more of a conscious effort than a habit. I didn’t realise then, but the French choose water over and over as their drink of choice.
But when I arrived in France, one of my biggest “cultural shocks” wasn’t the food — it was the water. The French choose water to drink constantly. Quietly, naturally, without drama, without giant tumblers of ice or oversized water bottles clanging around. Just… water.
And over time, simply living among the French reshaped the way I drink too.
For an overview of everyday French wellbeing habits, start with → The French Approach To Wellbeing.
Water Comes First (Always)
If you sit down for a meal in France, you will almost always find a carafe of water before anything else. Children drink water. Adults drink water. The French always choose water. Even in restaurants that offer wine pairings, the server refills your water without asking.
What you won’t see:
– Milk at dinner
– Soda as a default option
– Lemonade “for the kids”
– Juice with meals
– Oversized iced drinks
Water is considered the baseline. Everything else is optional.
And the glasses? Often tiny by American standards. The French don’t gulp water — they sip it steadily throughout the day. Small amounts, often. It’s a habit of constant, quiet hydration, not massive quantities once in a while.
More eating (and drinking habits) are described here → French Healthy Eating Habits And What I Know After 20+ Years In France.
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At School: Only Water, Full Stop
One of the most surprising cultural rules:
French school cafeterias only serve water.
No chocolate milk.
No juice boxes.
No special Friday soft drink.
No choices.
Just water.
It keeps children focused on food, prevents sugar crashes, and — very Frenchly — doesn’t compete with the taste of lunch.
Why Do the French Choose Water So Often?
1. Water never interferes with food
Food is serious business in France. Flavours matter. Enjoyment matters. The French believe certain drinks ruin the taste of a meal — especially overly sweet ones.
Water keeps the palate clear.
2. Appetite regulation is built into the culture
Sugary drinks, even natural ones, can kill appetite.
Water doesn’t.
This is part of why French children learn to eat well at a young age — they’re not filling up on flavored drinks before meals.
3. It’s part of staying slim without dieting
French women don’t follow complicated plans or drink protein shakes between meetings. They drink water. Consistently.
Water:
– Keeps you fuller
– Supports digestion
– Helps regulate cravings
– Keeps energy steady
It’s not weight loss magic — but it’s a cultural habit that adds up quietly.
Meet some of my French Friends and read more on → What French Women Eat In A Day.
How YOU Can Add More Water (The French Way)
Here are eight simple, realistic ways to weave more water into your day — inspired by life in France, not rigid rules.
1. Start your morning with water
Before coffee or tea, drink a glass of room-temperature or warm lemon water. It wakes up your insides before your caffeine does.
2. Make water your only mealtime drink
This one is huge.
Switch slowly — even replacing one sugary drink a day makes a big difference.
3. Use your water bottle, don’t just carry it
My own rule:
1 liter before noon, and a few small glasses at each meal.
4. Drink water before you snack
Most “cravings” are dehydration in disguise.
A glass of water first often resets your body.
5. Hydrate during long commutes
Train, plane, or automobile — use the downtime.
6. Make it easy for your family
Put your kids in charge of preparing a water pitcher for meals.
Try:
– Sparkling water
– Citrus slices
– Crushed ice
– Mint
– Frozen berries
Anything that makes water a little exciting.
7. Alternate water with wine or cocktails
A glass of water for every drink.
It keeps you clear-headed and you’ll thank yourself the next morning.
8. Create an evening ritual
Instead of a late-night snack, try a warm herbal tea.
Hydrating + calming + sleep-supporting.
And you can also hydrate with soups, including this popular one → French Detox Soup.
The Bottom Line
Water is such a simple habit, but living in France taught me that small, consistent choices add up. The French don’t make hydration a personality or a 30-day challenge — they make it a normal part of the day.
And once I started drinking water the way they do — little by little, regularly — I realized how much better I felt. Sometimes the simplest habits are the ones that shift our wellbeing the most.
More From France
If you’re curious about how France nurtures healthier habits — from school lunches to everyday food, movement, and wellbeing — I share practical tips and stories each month. Sign up for the free newsletter below and receive my guide, The French Guide to Everyday Wellbeing, straight to your inbox. Merci!
