4 French Wellness Trends to Get Healthy Like a Parisian

We look to the French for fashion and beauty inspo, but what about health and fitness? Apparently, according to Innova Market Insights, healthy living is a major focus for the French consumer, with 78 percent taking at least some action to live more healthy lives. Intrigued by how folks in Paris, Lyon and Bordeaux stay looking and feeling their best, I sought out to research French wellness trends—including one that started right here in the states.

According to a 2023 Eurobarometer survey, 60 percent of French adults meet the World Health Organization’s recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity weekly exercise, compared to just 53 percent of Americans. And per the Innova Market Insights survey mentioned above, in France, nearly half of folks who exercise regularly prefer outdoor activities to boost their mood and vitality. Think: integrating activity into your daily routines, like walking or cycling.

That’s not to say all of our Parisian friends are getting their workouts in al fresco. Did you know there’s a Barry’s Bootcamp in Paris? I sure didn’t until I stumbled upon this Medium post from Steph Neiman, who has lived in Paris since 2015 and has witness a boon in group fitness classes akin to the ones you’d see on every street corner in major cities across the U.S. She writes, “France has its own version of popular boutique fitness concepts from the USA, in the likes of Soul Cycle, Y7, Rumble, Fhitting Room and more.”

On the non-fitness front, two in three French consumers take at least one kind of supplement, Innova Market Insights reports, adding that 14 percent of consumers have increased their supplement intake. These stats point to France’s comprehensive approach: moderation and a multifaceted approach to wellness seem to be the keys to staying happy and healthy.

When I think of French food, I think of charcuterie boards, boeuf Bourguignon and fresh-from-the-oven baguettes. Though they've traditionally been known for their rich foods, French folks are leaning more toward plant-based diets in 2025. According to a survey from ProVeg, 58 percent of meat consumers in France say that they have reduced their annual meat intake, and 25 percent of French respondents view themselves as flexitarians. This one also goes back to balance—enjoying an indulgent meal every now and then but focusing on whole foods for daily nourishment.