Opening hours for shops in France Some smaller shops may close from noon to 2pm for a lunch break. Traditionally, Sunday is reserved as a rest day, so many shops are closed. For example, supermarkets are open until 1pm on Sundays.
Traditionally speaking, shops do not open in France on Sundays; however the rules have changed in recent years, and now across France you will find supermarkets, DIY and gardening shops open on Sunday morning. In tourist areas the rules are more flexible, and all sorts of shops can now stay open all day.
Sundays are quiet for the French — typically, the day is devoted to rest, family, and a time-honored commitment to relaxation. Most businesses shut their doors after about noon, and many don't open them at all. Don't worry about lost time, though; in many ways, this is when Parisian joie de vivre is in its truest form.
According to MAPA food industry insurance company, épiceries – convenience stores – are banned from selling booze on Sundays nationwide. (Being France, many shops flout this rule, so don't worry.) But, I can now safely conclude from my research that supermarkets are not included in this ban.
Sunday was established as a day of rest in France by a 1906 law, which banned people from working on a Sunday. And, when people who work in bakeries, supermarkets, banks, don't work, everyone else has no choice but to relax a bit.
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Do buses run on a Sunday in France?
The bus is an excellent way to discover Paris, with its many routes. Buses run Monday to Saturday from 7am to around 12.30pm. Some routes stop at around 8.30pm. Almost half of the lines operate on Sundays and public holidays.
This is a short daytime nap that is considered a part of healthy living in France and many other countries. The nap can last for two or three hours, and it's common for people to completely undress just as they would for nighttime sleeping.
The legal drinking age in France is currently 18-years-old, at which age residents and tourists alike can purchase alcohol or drink it in bars or restaurants. (Though from 16-years-old, French teens may order alcoholic beverages at restaurants in the presence of their adult guardians.)
Tap water in Paris can be consumed by everyone, including the elderly, pregnant women, and children*. Whatever its source, water in Paris naturally contains calcium, magnesium, sodium, bicarbonates and mineral salts vital for living organisms and our health.
Sunday trading laws apply to large shops (over 280 square metres), restricting them to open for just six consecutive hours between 10 am and 6 pm, which limits when alcohol can be sold. So, can you buy alcohol in the morning? Yes, if the business is licensed for it.
What is the most important meal of the day for the French?
Lunch is often the most important meal of the day in France, with businesses and schools closing for up to two hours to allow for a proper sit-down meal. Dinner, though lighter than lunch, remains a leisurely affair, often accompanied by wine and lively conversation.
In Paris and Ile-de-France, there are more free museums than you might think. Sometimes, free admission only applies to young people (children, teenagers, students and young adults up to 26 years old). In other cases, some museums are free on the 1st Sunday of the month or a day of the week.
What should you say when you enter a store in France?
Upon entering a shop – When you first walk in, scan the shop to see if you can spot the proprietor. When you do, immediately smile and greet him or her with a pleasant “Bonjour Monsieur/Madame,” and also nod to include in your greeting any other customers that may be in the store within earshot.
Across Europe, there are only a few countries left that refrain from opening supermarkets and retail stores on Sundays. Besides Austria, these are Germany, Greece, Poland and Slovenia.
Lunch is the most important meal in France. You can have lunch in restaurants from 12 noon and until 2pm. In the evening, you can eat from 7pm. Most restaurants serve until 9pm.
Because lunch is so large and isn't rushed, dinner is usually late, often around 8 pm or even later. Takeaway: Eating your biggest meal midday is not a bad way to go. It can help your energy levels during the day and make snacking less likely because it helps quell hunger.
As for nighttime sleeping habits, the French's general bedtime falls between 10 p.m. and midnight, depending on personal preferences and work schedules. The average adult in France typically strives for 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night.
Free public transport in France exists in several formats, designed to suit the needs of different urban areas. According to the Observatory of Cities with Free Transport (Observatoire des villes du transport gratuit). In France, public transport systems are financed through a variety of revenue streams.
As we all know, Sunday in France is often pretty quiet! You can almost guarantee therefore that on a Sunday there will be a significant decrease in the number of trains and if you do manage to get on one, there is quite a high chance that it will be delayed!
Do you have to pay for parking on Sunday in France?
If you decide to park in the street, please note that as a general rule it is payable from Monday to Saturday, 9am to 8pm. Night time and Sundays are free. On public holidays you can sometimes park free of charge in certain streets: this is indicated by a yellow sticker placed on the parking meter.
On 21 August 1988, for the first time in almost 75 years, British pubs were permitted to remain open through the day; uninterrupted consumption of alcohol was allowed on premises from 11:00 until 23:00. In November 2005, revised rules were introduced which scrapped hour limits.
As other answers have pointed out, the premise this questions is not true — you certainly can buy alcohol in many circumstances after 10pm in the UK. However, exactly when and how you can buy alcohol is limited by a *licence*, and different local councils issue different licences.
We offer a wide variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including our international wine range, which consists of white, red, rose, sparkling and fortified wines. Amongst other alcoholic drinks are a large selection of beers, ales and our award-winning gin collection .
