"The French seem to have perfected the finer things in life—whether it’s croissants, couture, or their effortless je ne sais quoi. And it’s all thanks to la joie de vivre, a philosophy that transcends the mere understanding of happiness. While it translates to the joy of living or enjoyment of life, la joie de vivre is not just about being happy; it embraces life’s complexities and considers happiness possible simply because we exist. French philosophers and expats alike have long explored this guiding principle of French living, but to what extent is joie truly attainable in our daily lives?
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In her book Joie: A Parisian’s Guide to Celebrating the Good Life, Ajiri Aki, an American expat in Paris and founder of Madame de la Maison, explores how joie can become a way of life. She describes joie as “something deeper, less vulnerable to the ebbs and flows of daily life,” contrasting it with happiness, which she views as more immediate. For Aki, joie emerges in everyday moments—whether a casual stroll through the streets of Paris or savoring a simple coffee on a terrace. It’s a philosophy of living well, where joy intertwines with mindfulness and an appreciation of the present. Ahead, what la joie de vivre exactly means and how you can apply it to your life.
What Exactly Is the Concept of Joie?
To truly understand joie, it’s important to note that this French word doesn’t have a direct English equivalent, despite the surface translation as “joy.” L’Académie Française defines joie as “a vivid and pleasant emotion, either spontaneous or provoked. Pure, deep, unrestrained joy.” The expression être ivre de joie (“to be intoxicated with joy”) establishes its overwhelming nature. Joie is more than a surface-level reaction to good fortune; it is a state of being that can sweep someone up and carry them into a sense of fulfillment that goes beyond circumstance. While “joy” in English often implies a high point in one’s emotional state, in French, joie doesn’t shy away from or exclude life’s challenges.
French author and philosopher Charles Pépin also explored the concept of joie in his book La Joie. He explained that joie doesn’t have a specific cause nor does it belong to someone—it’s always la joie, “the joy,” rather than yours, mine, or theirs. Pépin emphasized that joie arises from engaging fully with life and embracing its entire spectrum—from pleasure to challenge. He illustrates this with examples both complex and simple; it can be as complex as hugging a loved one during wartime (joie can still exist despite the world’s imperfections), or as simple as the joy of finding leftover food in the fridge when you’re unwilling to cook.
“Joy isn’t just pleasure because it goes beyond that—it involves a full acceptance of life,” Pépin explains. “It’s not the same as happiness, which is a lasting state that seems harder to achieve today. Joie is fleeting, but it gives us a glimpse that life is beautiful and that happiness is within reach.” For Pépin, joie is about being fully alive, in tune with life’s rhythms, and open to possibilities. He argued that joie is more multifaceted than happiness; it’s the result of living with intention, courage, and meaningful connections.
“While ‘joy’ implies a high point in one’s emotional state, joie doesn’t shy away from or exclude life’s challenges.”
So, What Is “La Joie de Vivre?”
La joie de vivre encapsulates the French expression for living the “good life.” For Aki, this concept emphasizes a slower and gentler approach to life, where attention to detail is both essential and often subconscious—whether it’s shopping at local markets for the freshest products rather than heading to a supermarket or being fully present during a night with friends. There is joy in the simple act of living.
“For me, joie de vivre isn’t just a French stereotype—it’s an art form with deep cultural value,” said Cécilia Jourdan, founder of Hello French, a platform that analyzes French language and culture. “It’s about seizing the moment, finding beauty in the mundane, savoring life in all its messy, unpredictable glory, and indulging in life’s small pleasures… It’s about living with curiosity, embracing imperfection, and recognizing that sometimes the most joyous moments are the ones we least expect.”
What Are the Benefits of Living Joie?
Besides the obvious outcome of experiencing joie to improve mood, happiness, fulfillment, and overall mental health, it turns out that implementing joie into your life can impact physical health, too. A 2016 study from University College London found that individuals who reported higher enjoyment of life had a lower risk of mortality. It also suggested that the more frequently people experience joy, the longer they tend to live. Similarly, a 2017 Harvard study found that optimism is linked to increased life expectancy, showing that individuals with a positive mindset face significantly lower risks of death from heart disease, cancer, and other causes. Both studies highlight the profound impact cornerstones of joie, such as fulfillment, joy, and pleasure, can have on health and longevity. By embracing the present moment and cultivating joy, you can not only enhance your quality of life but also potentially extend its duration. A happier life may indeed be a longer one.
“A happier life may indeed be a longer one.”
How to Apply Joie to Your Daily Life
While joie may feel uniquely French, you don’t have to be French or live in France to experience it. Here are a few ways Aki suggested incorporating joie into your daily life:
Live with intention
Living with intention means making purposeful choices that align with your values and bring fulfillment to your everyday life. Quality is essential—not only in what you consume but also in how you spend your time. Buy yourself a well-made cashmere sweater, enjoy a special meal with loved ones, and actively listen to your significant other and their needs. Consciously investing in yourself—whether in health, work, experiences, or relationships—is a way of honoring who you are. By living intentionally, you create a life that reflects what truly matters, making it easier to avoid burnout and maintain a balanced work-life relationship.
Foster connection
“Coming together brings the French joy, but it’s also essential for strengthening relationships among family and friends, connecting generations, and building communities,” Aki writes. She talks a lot about hosting, embodying the role of a quintessential Parisian hostess who values fellowship with kindred spirits and community. Whether it’s a long Sunday lunch, a coffee, or any meal cooked together, the act of gathering is a key part of joie. Pépin agreed that joie is often shared, flourishing in collective experiences like love, friendship, and intellectual exchange. These moments of connection root joie in something larger than ourselves, whether it’s community, nature, or a philosophical understanding of life.
Our need to forge connections is inherently human, whether with friends and family or with people we interact with daily. It may mean a get-together with friends, or it might be as simple as remembering a neighbor’s name and addressing them the next time you cross paths.
Slow down
In today’s hustle culture, slowing down can feel revolutionary, but it’s when you take your time that you can be present and find joy. “Take time for that coffee or tea,” Aki says. “Don’t take it to-go. Step away from that computer, take your lunch at a table, and don’t even think about work. Eat the cake and savor every single bit. You have the right to enjoy what brings you pleasure.” Slowing down can also look like enjoying a stroll, savoring your meals without digital distractions, and simply allowing yourself to just be. Don’t rush, overcommit, or feel pressured to do everything at once. Instead, tune into your natural rhythm and allow yourself to fully exist in the present moment.
Find inspiration in the little things
It’s easy to miss the beauty in daily life and our immediate surroundings, especially when you’re on autopilot and constantly on the move. But these little things matter. The French love to adorn their homes with vintage items and meaningful details, finding beauty in everything—from a pretty pastry to a beautiful dress. Aki loves to set the table with extravagant tablescapes, and while it’s not essential, it certainly elevates and romanticizes the moment and the joie de vivre. Beauty can be discovered in your home, in the way you express yourself, and in connections with others. TL;DR: Seek out that beauty—it just might inspire you.
Angelika Pokovba, Contributing Writer
Angelika is an avid traveler and wellness enthusiast from New York City who studied at La Sorbonne in Paris, but now lives in Tulum, Mexico (and speaks six languages!). From curating curiosities to delving into cosmologies, she finds inspiration in the world’s little-known wonders.