I love that in Paris mature women seem to be respected and valued for their longevity and wisdom.
The older they get, it seems even more so.
I have often eaten alone in a restaurant surrounded by women of a certain age, many of them definitely over 75 and some well over 80, sitting with their little dogs at their feet. They order wine and several courses, even dessert, stay as long as they want, and the waiters are attentive, even stopping to chat.
In 2023, ten percent of the population is over 75, and more than 60 percent are women.
Older French Women
France is a society that respects the elderly but I think it also has something to do with the way older French women present themselves. They still put the same effort into their overall appearance as they get older.
I stopped a few ladies on the street and in shops to comment on their outfits. They were enthusiastic to tell me that they continue to love fashion and dressing up for any occasion.
“C’est normal non?”
I love the colour “rose” this 80-ish-year-old young woman said.
Well not so normal where I come from.
I acknowledge that it is infectious to wear your beloved styles in ultra-cosmopolitan cities like Paris. It’s more challenging living in Duluth Minnesota in the middle of winter facing -5 degrees F when those sweatpants or leggings are the logical choice. But I doubt that you would find French women lounging in sweatpants even in those circ*mstances!
My French Canadian aunt always dressed as if she was going out somewhere nice, with a pencil skirt, blouse with a cardigan, or jacket, wearing her high heels. Her shoe collection was really something!
And in winter — she wore a smoldering leopard coat! (I know — inappropriate, but it was a long time ago, and I admit I thought it was GORGEOUS!)
So, I truly think there is something to be learned from older French women. They believe that beauty is about accepting who you are and making the most of what you have every day, no matter what your age!
The dresses were very big this summer in France with lots of colour!.
Older French Women
And Skincare
Actually, I believe French girls are taught this from day one. So, rather than trying to fight the aging process, French women allow a few wrinkles, and all, but — and this is a big BUT — they are very focused on skincare. They have a solid skincare regime that includes only the best products and creams — and they are religious about having facials and depilatory services.
And you have heard this before — generally, older French women eschew most make-up except for a little mascara and lipstick usually their favourite shade of red.
They also consider perfume to be an essential part of their wardrobe. In fact, I sat next to a lady (in her 70s) in a café who was wearing a simple yet tantalizingly mysterious scent. I had to ask her what it was. It turned out to beInvresse by Yves St. Laurent. I ran right over to Galeries Lafayette to get some. It is now my signature scent.
French CHIC over 75!
The French President’s wife Brigitte Macron has helped to reinforce the positive image of the older woman in France. She is 70 — 24 years older than her husband and accomplished, beautiful, and chic in every way.
Bridgitte Macron with her spouse Emmanuel Macron, The current president of France.
How French Women
of A Certain Age Dress
Here is what I have noticed:
- They wear neutral pastels and shades like beige, black, and camel but they add lots of colour in summer!
- They choose accessories like a scarf, necklace, or watch but keep that simple too.
- No makeup except lipstick and mascara maybe.
- They layer their clothes, wearing a nice coat, jacket, dress, or elegant sweater with a skirt or pants and a scarf of course.
- They spend money on a flattering, often luxury brand bag to accent their wardrobe.
- They wear pretty shoes that are also comfortable.
- They feel they are never too old to wear jeans but they must be set off with an elegant top or the ubiquitous white T-shirt or blouse.
Yes, don’t worry .. this elderly woman is ok. I checked. Just sleeping — likely in her 90s and just out and about on her own.
Note on Featured Image
at the Top of the Blog
Note: You do see the occasional older woman who has overdone the rouge and eye makeup such as in thefeatured photo at the top of this blog. But I love that she puts in such an effort. Sheis certainly a favourite fixture in her neighbourhood, settling in at this table at Le Grand Café in Old Nice and staying for hours while friends join her throughout the day.
My Latest Addition to
The Paris Book Club
I have added a new memoir to my Paris Book Club list!
It’s called Pais My Sweet, A Year in the City of Light and Dark Chocolate!
I have never HAD a sweet tooth but I melted into raptures of unrequited love for the sugary delights described in this memoir by Amy Thomas.
Thomas, a copywriter by trade, heralds from New York City where she has also built a reputation on the side as a “viennoiserie” and “pastry” connoisseur. That is, she searches and writes about all the best places and pastry chefs, sampling their cakes, pastries, macarons and so much more. Great work if you can get it eh?
Thomas then scores a dream job in Paris writing for luxury brand Louis Vuitton where she ramps up her passion in the world’s pastry Mecca and helps us sample vicariously everything from the best croissants to pain au chocolats to petit* gateaux, and delicate madeleines.
I never wanted this book to end. Check it out by CLICKING HERE!
Level Three
Paris Fan Club Member
Chooses a Memoir
Members of my Paris Fan Club (Level Three Pain au Chocolate Members only) each receive a book of their choice from my Book Club Page on my website www.womanofacetainageinparis.com.
There are lots of books to choose from including this new one above and I have personally read and reviewed them. All are memoirs written about Paris and France by women.
Recently Pain au chocolat member Kathy Wosnick from Richmond Hill, Ontario made her choice — A Letter From Paris by Louise Deaseywhich I sent off to her toute de suite!
Good one Kathy. Enjoy!
Kathy Wosnick reading A Letter from Paris memoir! She is a Level Three Paris Fab Club Member!
A Letter From Paris is the story of AustralianLouisa Deasey who receives a message from a French woman called Coralie. Coralie has found a cachet of letters in an attic, written by Louisa’s father. Neither woman can imagine the events this will set in motion.
The letters, dated 1949, detail a passionate affair between Louisa’s father, Denison, and Coralie’s grandmother, Michelle, in post-war London. They spark Louisa to find out more about her father, who died when she was six.
What follows is a trail of discovery that leads Louisa to the libraries of Melbourne and the streets of London, to the cafes and restaurants of Paris, and to a poet’s villa in the south of France.
You can also find this book on my Paris Book Club Page by CLICKING HERE and scrolling down until you find it!
TWO Last Things!
In my last blog about my walk down Les Champs-Elysées, I promised a special bonus gift to one of you who left a comment.
The Winner isCatherine Keller who was the first personto leave a comment,and she received a FREE annual Level One membership called Baguette to the Paris Fan Clubwhich allows her to attend all 5 of my annual workshops, plus receive monthly Parisian Toolkit resources about how to be more French, along with my own Personal Paris Map with great places to visit in Paris!
Congrats Catherine and welcome to the Paris Fan Club!
Giveaway Draw!
In the next blog, I will announce the winner of the Third Giveaway Draw for this year. Level Two and Three Members of the Paris Fan Club are eligible. And I think this third Gift is pretty cool. Stay Tuned!
Not a Member of the Paris Fan Club Yet!
Check out The Three Levels of Membership by CLICKING HERE!
A la prochaine mes amis!
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Disclosure Policy: This site uses affiliate links that may generate small commissions based on clicks and purchases. The commissions help in a small part to pay for the expenses for this blog and website. So I appreciate it when you buy books through my book club page for instance. Any products that I giveaway are personally purchased by me unless otherwise specified. I respect my subscribers’ privacy and do not share their information with any other party or organization.
Diana Bishop
Diana Bishop the founder of The Success Story Program and A Woman of a Certain Age in Paris as well as a well-known correspondent with over 25 years working for CTV, CBC News, and NBC News. She loves travel, writing, and all things Parisienne.
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