France uses metric, when do they use "la livre"?

Question

In Germany "ein Pfund" (a pound) is used for 500 gm (one pound = approx. 454 gm). Do the French use "une livre" this way? If not, what would they sell by the pound instead of by the kilo?

Cécile Janty-Davies · Accepted Answer

Hi kate,
In France , une livre = 500g = half a kilo
so you might ask for :
une livre d'abricots, une livre de tomates.
You will also hear -
Une demi-livre de beurre = 250g butter
Hope this helps!

Alan Graham · Answer

That's interesting, I had no idea that this happened in France and Germany. I suppose in Quebec it will be an actual pound though?

Cécile Janty-Davies · Answer

Hi Alan,
I have found an interesting page detailing what the Québécois do which seems to be a mixture of both, probably because they live in a bi-lingual country and have had to adapt to both systems ...
https://pvtistes.net/forum/vie-quotidienne-et-questions-diverses/45426-les-poids-et-les-mesures-au-quebec.html