How To Create A French Hygge Style

The concept of hygge has been around for years now. It became a global trend in the mid-2010s, grew again during the pandemic and lockdowns, and returns every autumn and winter. But what exactly is hygge, and can anyone be a part of this Nordic lifestyle, including the French?

Is there a French Hygge Style?

Quick answer: French hygge style is the French way of making winter cozy. It is built around le cocooning (staying in and turning your home into a warm, comfortable nest), small gatherings with people you love, soft knitwear, candlelight, and a little greenery. There is no exact French word for hygge, but in my opinion, le cocooning comes closest.

Mais oui! The answer is yes! And you’d be surprised how much French culture you can find in the Hygge aesthetic and philosophy!

What is Hygge?

The Nordic countries are some of the happiest countries in the world: Finland topped the 2026 World Happiness Report for the ninth year in a row, with Iceland and Denmark close behind. I believe Hygge might be the reason (or at least one of the reasons!).

Hygge is a Danish and Norwegian concept describing a feeling of contentment or a mood of comfort, a state of mind of coziness. It focuses on life’s small joys, natural elements, and informal time together in a calm, quiet setting. 

How to Pronounce and Translate Hygge

This is something that everyone asks! Difficult to explain and confusing to pronounce, the word hygge (pronounced ‘hoo-gah’) was one of the finalists of the Oxford Dictionaries’ 2016 Word of the Year. Here’s their Hygge definition.

You can listen to the pronunciation here, and it sounds SO French to me!

Translating this word to different languages is difficult. Although there isn’t an exact word, some phrases in English (or French) come close. In English, it is cozy, like creating a cozy space, a space that feels comfortable and good.

Is There a French Word for Hygge? Le Cocooning, Pantouflard and More

There is no exact French word for hygge, but le cocooning comes closest.

When it comes to translating the word into French, a couple of phrases come to mind, like être en mode pépère, or être à l’aise (meaning relaxed and comfortably settled in life). It’s hard to find a word that fully captures the meaning of hygge. I think the closest is le cocooning.

The French word pantouflard is sometimes used as another translation, meaning a homebody or someone who likes to stay at home and just be (but it can also have negative connotations and can mean a couch potato). It comes from pantoufle, the French word for slipper. Another handy word is the verb se lover, which means to curl up, as in se lover dans un fauteuil (to curl up in an armchair).

Hygge vs Le Cocooning vs Pantouflard: What Is the Difference?

Word	Language	What it means	How it differs from hygge
Hygge	Danish and Norwegian	A feeling of coziness, contentment and comfort, often shared with people you care about	The starting point: warm, social, built on small simple pleasures
Le cocooning	French (from English)	Staying in and making your home a comfortable nest to rest and recharge	The closest French idea. Often more about retreating at home, sometimes alone, than about gathering
Pantouflard	French	A homebody, from pantoufle (slipper)	Describes a person, not a mood, and can sound like gentle teasing
Se lover	French	To curl up in an armchair or in bed	A cozy action, not a whole philosophy

While it may be hard to find a perfect translation, the philosophy is pretty easy to follow!

Where Does the Word Hygge Come From?

The Hygge philosophy gained momentum in 2016 and 2017 but tends to make a reappearance every year during the winter months. Hygge is a Danish and Norwegian word with roots in Old Norse, though language experts still debate the exact source. It first appeared in Danish writing in the 19th century.

But Hygge is so much more than just that. It is comfort and calm, the intimacy of being together with friends, family, and loved ones, and the concept of cocooning. It’s lively, you feel warm, it’s simple.

Hygge design is about creating an atmosphere to cocoon. Creating a Hygge home or space where you want to curl up with a good book, a cup of tea, and just be.

Here is my guide to winter with a Hygge attitude à la française!

When does hygge season start?

Hygge season starts when the days get shorter and cooler, usually in autumn, and it peaks around Christmas in Denmark.

For the Danes, the hygge season peaks during Christmas. With long winters in Scandinavian countries, the Hygge lifestyle is a great way to brighten things up and bring warmth to everyday life.

The holidays are the perfect time to come together and create happy memories that make the winter pass faster. With scented candles and fires roaring in the hearth, the Nordic countryside comes to life with color and warmth. If you love the holiday side of hygge, you may also enjoy my guide to how to Frenchify your Thanksgiving.

How to live a hygge lifestyle (à la française)!

There’s more than one way to Hygge, and this guide is just a starting point to embracing the Hygge lifestyle. 

Spend Quality Time Together, French Style

It is pretty easy to bring home the stress of everyday life, but to truly embrace Hygge, you need to be mindful about the time you spend and who you spend it with.

Togetherness is the core concept of Hygge: spending quality time with friends, family, or loved ones. The French also prioritize family and friends. They feel that meaningful connections and spending time together are the keys to happiness

Social interactions don’t need to include fancy soirées. Keep the group small and intimate, and focus on being present in the moment. One of the best ways is to eat together. Enjoy the conversation and focus on the simple joys. Throw in some comfort food and some nice wine, and you are there! For hosting ideas, see how to entertain like the French. Need something to cook? Try my 25 fantastic French dinner recipes or my French dessert recipes.

What the French Wear at Home: Cozy Knitwear

Hygge is all about continuous comfort, and in order to achieve that, you need to dress for the part. This is the time to don those warm fuzzy socks, chunky cable knits, and fluffy blankets. The cozier you feel, the more Hygge it will be.

It’s widely known that the French have a penchant for dressing with formality. Elegance and sophistication often come before comfort. However, behind closed doors, many French women have a go-to cozy knitwear outfit for those much-needed moments of relaxation. Instead of plain cotton sweatshirts or hoodies, they often reach for the luxurious softness of cashmere, mohair, or wool knits.

[P.S. You don’t have to break the bank to where cashmere! Brands like Quince have amazing cashmere at incredible prices!]

If winter where you live is not as harsh, that shouldn’t stop you from being Hygge. If chunky knits aren’t suitable, look for softer, lighter sweaters that provide the right amount of warmth.

Hygge Wellbeing, the French Way

A big part of the Hygge lifestyle focuses on general well-being. This includes eating well, having a healthy work-life balance, avoiding multitasking, spending regular time without technology, and having gratitude.

In French culture, self-care is often seen as a way of life rather than just a concept. Many French people embrace it effortlessly, and by taking care of themselves, they show respect to others. It fits seamlessly into everyday life. For the beauty side of this, see my post on French beauty secrets.

Enjoy hot chocolate and steaming mugs of tea (or a regular cup of coffee if that is your thing), and indulge in cinnamon rolls and almond cakes. Anything that will create a warm space inside and outside the body.

Curate a Hygge Playlist

Music can change anything. If you’re looking to transform your home into a cozy cocoon, start by curating a special playlist. Some tunes work better than others for creating a hygge atmosphere.

Think of relaxing songs and soft sounds that help you unwind. Seek out tunes that work well for you and let them play in the background.

Start a Candle Collection, French Style

The Danes are big on bringing warmth into their lives. And it’s a bonus if it also includes comforting scents. Hygge without candles is no hygge at all!

Candles are a staple in many French apartments. They add that je ne sais quoi, creating an enchanting ambiance. Trust me, no home is truly complete without them!

Many French women have an innate ability to create a delightful atmosphere, and candles are often on hand.

Use scents that match the season, like cinnamon, clove, cedar, or any woody perfume. These fragrances evoke warmth and strengthen the holiday spirit.

Candlelight is also not too bright and helps to create an intimate atmosphere.

Hygge Home Decor: Plants, Textiles and Soft Light

Embracing nature is another big part of the Hygge lifestyle. Because winters can be harsh and cold, the Danes love to bring the outdoors in. Bringing greenery inside with houseplants is the first step in embracing nature; think spider plants or ferns that liven up spaces.

Despite having an impressive list of parks and gardens dotted across the city, Paris has fewer green spaces than other European cities. And certain arrondissements are more devoid of green space than others. This became especially noticeable to many Parisians, confined to small areas of the city during the pandemic.

However, Parisians have found one solution: they adorn their homes with plants and flowers, turning their living spaces into vibrant urban jungles. This trend of creating leafy havens is growing among Parisians, bringing a touch of nature to the heart of the city.

Softening your interiors is key to Hygge decor. Hygge design includes warm tapestries, rugs (think faux fur), cushions, a throw pillow or two, blankets, and a roaring fire (you can also stream a roaring fire while snuggling on the couch).

Hygge is an art of living, an art of letting go and being satisfied with the things you have. You can practice it anywhere, especially if you have long winters and nightfall begins at 4 p.m. This precious way of living can chase away the darkness, so why not try this Hygge lifestyle too?

Frequently Asked Questions About French Hygge

Whether you call it hygge, le cocooning, or simply being pantouflard on a cold night, the idea is the same: slow down, light a candle, slip into your softest knit and spend time with the people you love. French hygge is everyday coziness with a little extra je ne sais quoi, and I hope this guide helps you bring some of that warmth into your own home this season. I would love to hear from you, so leave a comment, share this post with a friend who needs a little cozy in their life, or explore more of my posts on French life and culture.

Further reading on Hygge:

• The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living
• Hygge: The Secrets of the Hygge art towards a Stress-Free and Happier Life
• Hygge: Unlock the Danish Art of Coziness and Happiness

So, how will you try embracing hygge this winter? How do you see French Hygge Style relating to “regular” Hygge? Do tell!