I'm an American who's lived in Paris for nearly a decade. These 8 things have surprised me about living in the French capital.

"Shortly after I turned 25, I asked myself: "If you could live anywhere, where would it be?" The answer was always Paris. Growing up in the US, I'd taken French classes from sixth grade through college. The language and the culture were always on my radar, so I decided to take the leap. Et voilà! About nine years later, I still live in Paris full-time. Here are a few things that have surprised me about life in the French capital over the years."

"When I was living stateside, it seemed I was always asked where I worked out, not whether I worked out. And I'd regularly go to the gym first thing in the morning. Though new gyms and studios have cropped up in Paris in recent years, the fitness scene doesn't feel nearly as prominent here as it does in the US. I joined a gym when I arrived purely out of habit, but I've since changed my routine. Lately, I go on a leisurely jog along the Seine a few times a week instead."

"It's not just a stereotype - many Parisians pick up a fresh baguette every single day. Baguettes are a way of life here. Bread is a component of almost every meal and is meant to be eaten with the main courses, not beforehand as an appetizer as it is in the US. Most baguettes in France contain just flour, water, yeast, and salt. There are no preservatives, meaning they can go stale in a short amount of time. It's not uncommon for people in Paris to buy a fresh baguette every day."

An American moved to Paris after studying French from sixth grade through college and has lived there full-time for about nine years. Long lunches are common and many locals regularly pick up fresh baguettes, which are eaten with main courses rather than as appetizers. Most baguettes contain only flour, water, yeast, and salt and have no preservatives, so they go stale quickly and are often purchased daily. Gym culture is less prominent than in many US cities; fitness often comes from walking, jogging along the Seine, and active daily routines. Many Parisians dress stylishly at all times, inspiring a capsule wardrobe.

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