Day 3051 (Wednesday) 15th October 2025

This is near the Old Port in Nice

and this is the Notre Dame Cathedral in Avenue Jean Medicine in Nice.

Huw worked in Ken’s place this morning and I sunbathed for a while, the weather is wonderful at the moment. All the small rental boats have been put away for the winter and today they started to dismantle the jetty. It’s so sad seeing Villefranche packing away the summer. 

Having said that Huw found this article on Riviera Radio News… 

Fly invasion frustrates residents in Nice - An unusual October heatwave in Nice has brought an unwelcome guest: swarms of flies. From restaurant terraces to public parks like the Promenade du Paillon, locals are struggling with the persistent insects that thrive in the warm, humid conditions. With daytime temperatures hovering around 24°C, this Indian summer has created ideal breeding grounds for flies, much to the annoyance of residents and tourists alike. But relief may be on the horizon — cooler weather is expected soon, likely sending the flies into hibernation… until next year.

Promenade Paillon is where we get our weekly kebab and the flies have been horrendous.

The 15-minute rule - Is it OK to be late in France?

France might be less relaxed than you think around the issue of lateness. Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP

In Italy and Spain it's considered normal to turn up late to social events, but France does not have the same culture around tardiness - here's a guide to when it's OK to be late in France.

Blame the 'relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle' if you must, but it's generally agreed that in France's neighbours Italy and Spain, being late to social events is not seen as rude.

However, in France the culture is somewhat different.

As with all aspects of social decorum, these things do vary a little bit within different social circles or different regions  - or even within families where some might be hyper-punctual and others more laid-back.

But here's a guide to how lateness is viewed in France;

The 'quarter of an hour courtesy'

If you're planning on inviting French guests to your house for dinner, or if you've been invited, you should probably know about the quart d'heure de politesse, which means the quarter-of-an-hour courtesy. 

In this case, for some French people, it is considered courteous to arrive roughly 15 minutes late to give the host time to settle down and be ready. So, if you're hosting, don't be surprised if your guests are slightly late. They might be giving you some extra breathing room to have everything sorted. This avoids you still finishing up preparations while at the same time greeting your guests. 

More than 15 minutes, however, and you start to be seen as late, and possibly rude.

Even the 15-minute courtesy doesn't wash with everyone.

"I think it's generally impolite to show up late," 54 year-old Beatrice told The Local.

"I don't think you should aim to arrive late, but consider that you can be if you have a valid excuse, like you couldn't find a parking spot or because the Metro was late."

A grace period

With friends, the 15 minutes is more of a grace period  - meaning it's fine if you show up a quarter past the time set for a meet up at a bar or restaurant or any other place with your friends. If you show up later than that, your friends might be annoyed at you for making them wait around.  

"Birthdays are the exception to the rule," says Pauline, 25, "especially if not a lot of people are invited - no-one wants to be left waiting alone at a bar on their birthday."

Same thing for dates. Your date might give you a bit of grace if you're 15 minutes late but know that it is generally considered rude to be late on a date.

"I prefer when my date is on time, but 15 minutes late is fine. It'll annoy me, but I won't get angry," explains Clara, a 26 year-old French woman. 

Restaurants

If you're going to a restaurant and have a reservation, it's advised to show up on time.

Following again on the 15-minute rule, many restaurants will allow you 15 minutes grace, but if you still haven't shown up they may give your table to someone else.

Some restaurants - especially fancier ones in big cities - demand a credit card when booking and will charge a fee for a no-show, which can count as being more than 15 minutes late without letting them know. Some restaurants even have a policy that you will be charged a late fee if your entire party is not at the table within 15 minutes of the reservation time, although that is thankfully rare.

Parties

If you are invited to a party, however, the grace period expands.

Most young French people don't show up on time at parties unless the host specifically mentioned being on time. For example, if they write that you can show up à partir de 20h, it literally tells you that you can show up anytime after 8pm.

Naturally it depends on how formal the party is, but if it is a house party then things are usually pretty flexible.

North v south 

So are things more chilled in the south of France, benefiting from that 'relaxed Mediterranean' vibe?

There's certainly a stereotype among northerners that people in the south of France are more relaxed (or lazy if we're being rude) and therefore might be a little more flexible about time keeping.

Although this might be true for some it's by no means a fixed rule, and timekeeping is more likely to depend on your particular friendship group than on the region. Even if your southern friends are fine with approximate timekeeping for social events, this won't extend to official or professional appointments.

Professional settings 

The 15-minute grace period applies for friends and family, but it does not apply in professional environments.

If you have a meeting set at a specific time, it is impolite to show up late. Always aim to be punctual for work meetings, but also for appointments with a doctor, dentist, lawyer, etc. 

If you have appointments with French administration such as at the préfecture, you should always show up on time or your meeting slot might be cancelled (you'll probably then end up waiting for ages, but that's not the point).

The more formal the setting, the less socially acceptable it will be to be late.