25 Small, Interesting Cultural Differences Between France and the USA

When traveling, you know things are going to be different: different language, different architecture, different food.

But even if you are prepared for these big differences, there are undoubtedly going to be some things that catch you off guard – that just feel a little surprising, or even quirky, based on what you’re used to.

This list is specifically tailored for Americans coming from the United States – and some of these things can also be true in other European countries, so other nationalities may or may not be as surprised by some of the items on the list.

With that being said, to help you prepare for your trip to France, here are 25 small things that might surprise you in French culture.

1. Bottle Caps Attached to the Bottle

Recent legislation in the European Union is mandating that all single-use plastic water bottles must have the bottle cap attached – it cannot completely detach.

This is to combat plastic waste and littering, which is a noble goal, but it is a little bit of an adjustment when you’re trying to take a drink and the cap is hitting your nose or cheek!

2. Bathroom Difficulties

Bathrooms are fairly hit and miss in France – sometimes they are free, but sometimes they cost anywhere from €0.50 to €1. Sometimes you can pay with card and other times you’ll need coins, so it’s a good idea to keep some change with you just in case.

In addition, public bathrooms can be difficult to find in bigger cities, so always take advantage of them when you can (like in museums or restaurants). You’ll almost never find bathrooms in stores or gas stations, for example.

In bigger cities, particularly in Paris, you can find little bathroom pods on the streets all over the city – and sometimes they work just fine. A lot of times, though, they’re either inexplicably out of order, have no toilet paper, have a long queue, or are absolutely disgusting (enough that you question, “Do I really need to go?”)

Interestingly, I’ve found public bathrooms much more easily in smaller towns and villages around France than in mid-sized or big cities. There’s often a nice enough building in the middle of the village where toilets are available.

3. Ice Cubes are Rare

If you’re sitting down to a meal at a restaurant and order a soda or water, it’s very rare to be given ice cubes with your beverage (honestly, I can’t think of a single time I’ve been served ice cubes).

Additionally, if you’re a coffee drinker visiting in the hot summer months, be aware that iced coffee is not nearly as common in France. Not completely unheard of, but not the norm.

4. AC Is Not a Given

Coming from most US states, it seems crazy to think that air conditioning wouldn’t be standard issue in every building, but indeed, there are many buildings (including museums and hotels) in France that do not have air conditioning.

In particular, budget hotels are likely to not have AC.

If you’re visiting in summer, it’s worth double-checking that your accommodation does have AC, unless a warm room doesn’t particularly bother you.

During summer, I’ve started traveling with a small, travel-sized fan – it helps immensely if the AC just isn’t as strong as I’d like at night.

5. Police Men are Ridiculously Good-Looking

Okay yes, this is very much a lighthearted (and a bit silly 😅) point. And I’m not sure how this is possible, but policemen in France are somehow all extremely attractive.

And this isn’t just me being weird, I’ve discussed this with a few different people, and we all agree that, objectively speaking, French policemen just are very good-looking.

6. Different Sirens

Speaking of the police, emergency vehicles in France make a different sound than American police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks.

Instead of the sound that kind of slides up and down in the US, French vehicles just go directly between a high and low pitched note – no sliding sound at all.

The sirens are a fun little quirk that I actually really enjoy – it’s just another little reminder that I am, in fact, in a different country!

7. Tiny Elevators

Elevators in France, particularly in hotels and apartment buildings, are generally very small and tight – barely enough for two people, or one person and their luggage.

The tiny elevators make sense, considering they are usually put into historic buildings not designed with elevators in mind.

While it may mean that your party may have to split up to use the elevator, particularly with luggage, I think cramming into a tiny elevator is such a fun novelty of visiting France.

8. First Floor is the Second Floor, etc

In France (and generally in Europe), the way floors are numbered is different than in the United States. In the US, the ground floor is the 1st floor, but in France, the ground floor is called the rez-de-chaussée and is the 0 floor.

So, what would be the 2nd floor in the US is the 1st floor in France, etc.

9. Bonjour and Au Revoir

French people highly value politeness, especially when greeting people with a hello and goodbye.

While you would never just say “bonjour” to random people on the street, it is very important to always say bonjour when entering a shop, asking a question to an employee, or having any kind of business interaction with someone.

Similarly, it is very good manners to say “merci au revoir” or even in English “thank you, goodbye” when you are leaving a shop or finishing an interaction.

10. Obsession With Dedicated In/Out Doors

Perhaps it’s due to often working with limited space and big crowds, but the French seem to be very concerned with indicating the direction of traffic, and marking doors or entrances that are the “IN” doors and which are the “OUT” doors.

Oh, and for car traffic, most parking lots have specific one-way entrances/exits, too.

11. Fireworks Shows are Next Level

If you happen to be in France during a big national holiday, such as the 14th of July (France’s independence day), or New Year’s Eve, you can look forward to some really fantastic fireworks shows!

What makes them special in France compared to the US? To start, they are almost always coordinated with music, so songs will be playing over speakers around the fireworks show, and the explosions are timed to coordinate with the beat of the song.

The fireworks are also just very entertaining, and there are a lot of them! We’ve been impressed with the quantity of fireworks lit off at the same time, whether you’re in a big city or a tiny small town.

Of course, THE place to watch fireworks is by the Eiffel Tower – if you dare to brave the crowds. The 14 of July Eiffel Tower fireworks show is legendary.

12. Great Bread is Just Footsteps Away

One of the best things about visiting France is that there is a boulangerie (bakery) located on practically every street corner, and just about every boulangerie serves incredible bread, desserts, and breakfast pastries at a very reasonable price.

13. Trains Are Often The Best Way to Get Around

Unlike the US, public transit is amazing in France, and taking the train is often the best way to get around the country.

Trains are so easy and convenient to use. I love showing up at the station 15 minutes before departure and just easily walking onto the train – such a difference compared to the headache of airports.

14. No Right Turn on Red

However, sometimes it does make sense to rent a car, if you’re doing a road trip through the country where you’ll be visiting lots of small towns and villages over many days.

In this case, it’s good to know that drivers are not allowed to turn right on red!

15. Types of Cars in France

Continuing in the vehicle theme, most cars in France are manual transmission (stick shift) instead of automatic.

If you can’t drive stick, make sure you specifically search for an automatic rental car, as the default is generally manual when you’re looking at search results.

Additionally, cars in France are noticeably smaller overall than cars in the United States. Even cars like minivans are smaller in France.

While you might be tempted to rent a larger car to have more space and legroom, I always recommend you rent the smallest car you can get away with.

Streets, lanes, parking garages, and parking stalls are all a lot narrower and tighter than in the US, and life is so much less stressful if you have a small car to maneuver.

16. Lots of Smoking

While the smoking rates have been declining in France, a large percentage of French people still smoke daily (between 20-30%) and vaping is also very common.

In contrast, the smoking rate in the US is about 11%. Still, it feels even more prevalent as it is socially acceptable to smoke in many restaurant terraces.

17. Bags at Grocery Stores Are Not Free

French people always bring their own, reusable bags when grocery shopping, or sometimes they bring a little trolley that they can roll home (and avoid carrying multiple heavy bags).

If you’re just picking up a few things on vacation, you can pay 10-15 cents for a plastic or paper bag at checkout. Otherwise, buy a reusable one early on and remember to bring it with you.

18. Long Summer Holidays

The French do not mess around when it comes to vacation, and most people get a minimum of 5-6 weeks of paid vacation every year, plus 10 legal holidays.

Many people choose to take a long, leisurely summer holiday and will take off for 2-4 weeks to go hang out by the sea, in the mountains, or in the countryside.

August in particular is a very pouplar vacation month, and businesses will often actually just close up for the month while everyone is out of town on holiday.

19. Sales are Twice a Year

French shops have a unique tradition where they have countrywide sales, or “les soldes” that last for four weeks in January and four weeks in July. Les soldes actually have some strict rules set up by the government, such as regulating the start/stop dates.

Essentially all stores participate in les soldes and will have signs and promotional posters out on their windows advertising the discount or deal you can expect (generally 30-50% off is normal).

For anyone who loves to shop, this is a great time to pick up some fabulous deals.

20. Pedestrians Rule the Street

In France, pedestrians have the right of way, and cars must stop for pedestrians at crosswalks.

While this doesn’t seem too dissimilar to the rules and customs in the USA, in actuality, we find ourselves surprised by how often we want to stop and yield to cars instead of expecting the cars will stop for us (as they will).

Further, while jaywalking is technically illegal if you are within 50m of a crosswalk, in actuality, French people tend to just cross narrow roads whenever they need.

French people will also generally cross the road at a crosswalk with a red light when the coast is clear, and not wait for the green light.

This, of course, is subject to some nuance – crosswalks at large boulevards are generally respected, and you must be extremely careful of both cars and bikes that may be approaching.

But overall, very little care is given to strictly following the lighted crosswalk signs.

21. Restaurant Interactions with Waiters

Restaurants and cafes are an integral part of the French experience, and sampling French cuisine is a delightful way to spend your time. There are some fascinating differences in eating out between France and the United States.

To start, waiters tend to err on the side of letting people eat and relax in peace.

If you need something (are ready to order, need more water, or are ready for your bill), you’ll need to hail the waiter to come help you instead of expecting them to check in on you regularly.

22. Tipping at Restaurants

Second, tipping is neither required nor expected in France – gratuity is already included in the price and waiters are paid well accordingly.

23. Strikes Are a National Pastime

The French love to strike, and is a very normal form of protest in France.

Public protest has deep roots in French history, going back to the Revolution of 1789, and many people see strikes as a legitimate way to push back against government decisions or defend social protections.

For visitors, it mostly just means occasional disruptions: a train delay here, a museum closure there. Generally speaking, strikes are very unlikely to completely mess up your trip.

24. Tax is Incorporated Into the Price

When looking at prices, whether at a shop, restaurant, boulangerie, or museum, the posted price is always the actual price you’ll pay. So if the price is €14, you’ll pay exactly €14 at checkout, as tax is already worked into the posted price.

While France can be an expensive country to visit, when you consider the fact that you’re not paying an extra 8-10% in sales tax on top of the actual item price, the costs don’t seem quite as bad.

Consider the additional factor of not tipping another 20%+ if you’re dining out, and going out to eat almost seems like a bargain!

25. La Bise is a Real Thing

La bise, or the French kiss, is a very real and common tradition in France, where you greet a friend or family member with a kiss on one or both cheeks.

As a tourist, you’ll almost never be expected or have the opportunity to participate in this tradition, but you will certainly observe it!

The Wrap Up

And that’s it! Were there any items on this list that really surprised you?

Traveling is a great way to immerse yourself in a different culture, and when visiting another country, it’s good to just take it all in stride and enjoy the experience of doing things differently 🙂