Having dinner in France

Well, if you are a couple or a group of people at a restaurant, you are more likely to be engaged in converstation and wanting to spend more time at dinner -- if not "all night". As a solo, you may not want to spend a lot of time, but just want to have a leisurely meal. Have it, perhaps an extra glass of wine or some coffee. Read a book or write in a travel journal. Leave when you are ready. No one will fault you for not staying there all evening. This is not a requirement. If you are uncomfortable with the dinner scene, dine earlier than 8pm, or do lunch in a nice restaurant.
Hope this helps.

Kevin, you can eat at any restaurant, anywhere in France (even Paris) and stay as little or as long as you like. It is exactly the same as here, except that they do not rush you or expect you to leave like they do here. You can sit and eat and leave in 45 min, if you want to, or stay longer. It's whatever you want to do. You also do not have to drink any alcohol at all if you don't want to. It is completely up to you, absolutely no different from here. I grew up in Paris, I've lived there as an adult, and my family and I spend time there every year. We love to eat out in restaurants but we never stay more the 1- 1.5 hrs and we never drink alcohol. No one has ever cared how long we stay or what we drink. Just do what you want and have fun!