The Charming Phrase Rick Steves Recommends Embracing While Visiting France

If you're heading to France anytime soon, Rick Steves has one piece of advice that goes beyond what shoes to pack or how to order cheese like a local. Instead, he says you should embrace "l'art de vivre" — the art of living — a concept the French practically embody. And Steves admits it may take some awkward moments to get there. "It was daunting when I first faced a French cheese course," he writes, describing a cheese cart that arrived after dinner — yes, cheese for dessert. "But that cheese board — on which every gooey, stinky, and moldy product was the happy creation of a local artisan — was my invitation into l'art de vivre — the art of living," he says.

While the Eiffel Tower might be France's most iconic attraction, there's much more to the country and the culture than its most crowded landmarks. From lounging around at a sidewalk café to late-starting dinners that bleed into nightcaps, l'art de vivre is about being present and enjoying the good stuff without apology. So if your trip includes an afternoon spent people-watching on a hidden Parisian side street or debating butter quality in a bakery, you're doing it right.

Steves also suggests trying not to cram too much into one visit. In another post, he explains, "You can't experience l'art de vivre ... if you're rushing around." So stick to one or two destinations if you only have a couple of weeks.

Rick Steves will be the first to admit he's no linguist. He says he once survived a French crash course that, in his words, nearly broke him. But lucky for the rest of us, being fluent isn't always required to squeeze the most value out of your travels. Just come prepared with the basics. "I get fine treatment everywhere in France just by using the simplest of French pleasantries," he says. "If you begin every encounter with bonjour or s'il vous plaît, and end it with merci and au revoir, you'll earn a smile."

To really tap into the French lifestyle, carve out time to go beyond the museums and monuments. Steves recommends staying in small B&Bs, signing up for a local cooking class, or finding ways to connect with locals in the neighborhood. These moments are the ones you'll remember and learn from the most. If you aren't sure where to start, try using a rideshare and asking your driver for tips or suggestions (here are some tips for using ride-share apps abroad). Or head to a local bar — sans tourists — and chat people up.

And if someone corrects your pronunciation of fromage or tells you your wine choice is a bit, say, uninspired? Don't take it personally. While some social etiquette in France can catch tourists off guard, Steves insists it's more about confidence and customs than being stuck up. "Thankfully people are knowledgeable about different things," Steves writes. "And when we have the opportunity to meet an expert in good living, it's a pleasure to be a student." At the end of the day, it's not about being perfect. It's about living in the moment and letting the French show you how to become a bon vivant.