Flâneur is a French noun referring to a person, literally meaning "stroller", "lounger", "saunterer", or "loafer", but with some nuanced additional meanings. Flânerie is the act of strolling, with all of its accompanying associations. A near-synonym of the noun is boulevardier.

What does flâneur mean in English?

noun, plural flâ·neurs [flah-nœr]. / flɑˈnœr/. French. a person who lounges or strolls around in a seemingly aimless way; an idler or loafer: the flâneur, that cool, aloof observer of urban society.

Is flâneur positive or negative?

This emphasis on making connections to the “new” France may explain why flâneur can hold a negative connotation, since a greater ease of life, which often leads to more leisure time, is often placed in opposition to the hard work of the past.