In America, dropping by a friend’s place with pie and optimism is just good manners.
In rural France?
It’s basically a crime of passion.
This Short explains why showing up uninvited is a cultural faux pas in the French countryside — and how our love of personal space, polite scheduling, and the sacred tidy house ritual all come together in one simple rule:
📞 Call first. Always.
It’s not about being unfriendly — it’s about boundaries, wine glasses, and not giving someone a heart attack at 3 p.m. on a Tuesday.
At Agence Newton, we’ll help you move to France…
And avoid a reputation before you’ve even unpacked.
🔗 Discover more at: https://agencenewton.com/en
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7 Comments
French homes = sacred space.
Thinking of popping round without notice? Unless you’re delivering life-saving medication or fleeing Interpol… don’t.
Planning a move to France? Let us help you not make a cultural faux pas: agencenewton.com/en
My maternal grandmother, who was from the American Deep South, shared those beliefs as well. This was to be prepared for your visit, to have the necessary refreshments, and to be properly dressed for the occasion. I totally agree with her.
We live in the Northern Virginia countryside. Although we're close to Washington DC city folks, dropping by is definitely NOT a thing, even among neighbors! The house must be perfect; we must be dressed in something nicer than a t-shirt and sweat pants, and there should be cookies baking in the oven before receiving a guest!
OMG this did make me smile 😊 I will NEVER answer a random knock or ring of the doorbell at home EVER. My husband can’t understand it, he will always look at me when it happens and say “Aren’t you going to answer that?” Non! In my experience answering the door when you’re not expecting someone will never lead to anything good so best to just ignore it! 😂
These little tidbits you share are wonderful! I am strongly considering retiring to France and learning cultural quirks via YouTube is awesome!
Absolutely agree!! American here – horrified when someone drops by unannounced 😮😵💫
Oh my goodness, my father is French. This was one of his pet peeves in America. Why do people just drop by?