Learn French: J'installe le transat sous le parasol, histoire de décompresser. - I am setting up the deckchair under the parasol just to decompress.

In casual French, histoire de is a fixed expression used before an infinitive. While histoire does mean story or history, the phrase histoire de translates to just to, simply to, or so as to. It shows you are doing something for a simple, low-pressure reason.

Why use histoire de décompresser instead of pour décompresser?

Using pour simply states a direct purpose (in order to relax). Using histoire de adds a laid-back, informal nuance. It downplays the action, making it sound like just relaxing a little bit or for the simple sake of unwinding.

Where does the word transat come from?

A transat is a deckchair or sun lounger. It is actually short for transatlantique, because these folding canvas chairs were famously used on the decks of transatlantic cruise ships!

Is décompresser the usual way to say relax in French?

It is a very common informal option. Just like in English, it literally means to decompress, but French speakers use it frequently in everyday conversation to mean to unwind, chill out, or blow off steam.