The Portal for work abroad, overseas travel, study abroad and international living
 
Living Abroad

Living in France  Living in France

Key Expatriate Websites and Resources

Articles on France
Business and Economy in France
Education and Study in France
Embassies, Consulates, and Immigration
Expatriate Websites and Resources
Government and International Organizations
Housing and Real Estate in France
Language Courses in France
News and Media in France
Recommended Reading on France
Travel Information for France
Working in France

Compiled by Volker Poelzl

Featured Articles on Living, Working, Studying, and Traveling in France
Living Abroad in France by Terry Link 
Living in France: Dos and Don'ts by Finn Skovgaard
Living and Working in France With or Without a Visa by Narelle Lewis
Living in France: How to Get a Residency Card ("Carte de Sejour") by Sharon Goldstein
Moving to France: Everything You Need To Know to Settle In by Phyllis Cohen
Living in Paris by Susan Bruce
Expatriate Salons in Paris by Linda Lappin
French in the Fast Lane: Retire in Style on the French Riviera by Ferriel Brooks
Renting in France by Finn Skovgaard
Legal Living in France by Melissa Schulz
Schools in Paris: Find the Right One for Your Child by Tamara Cuthrell
Living in the Limousin Region of France: Vacation Rentals in the Heart of France by Volker Poelzl
House Hunting in France: The Languedoc Offers Reasonable Prices and Good Weather by Sharon Goldstein
Buying a Home in France: It Only Takes a Little Money and Nerve by Lorren L. Repton
Property in France: How to Find It, Buy It, And Live in It by Phyllis Cohen
Bienvenu en France: A Guide to Parisian Apartment Hunting by Amber Foster
Nice Like a Local: Rent an Apartment and Settle In by Kelby Hartson Carr
Ship a Car to France by Donna Dugay
Rent a Gîte in a Forgotten Region by Pierre Epstein
Gîte: A Taste of Paradise in France by Anne Woodyard
Working in France by Finn Skovgaard 
Working in France: Where There’s a Will, There’s a Job by Liza Hall
Freelance Work on the Riviera in France by Kelby Hartson Carr
Running Your Own Business in France by Robert C. Diemer
Working in France: The Universal Passport: High-Tech Jobs in Europe by Rebecca Falkoff
Teaching English in France: A Step-by-Step Guide to Success by Amber Foster
Teaching English in Paris: Where There is a Will, There is Always a Way by Natalie Faulkner
Teaching English in France as an Assistant: A Unique Opportuntity for Americans to Work in France by Kelby Hartson Carr
Teach English in France: Work as a Teaching Assistant by Sara Wilson
Work as Volunteer in France and Learn to Restore a French Village with La Sabranenque by Linda Handiak 
Volunteer Workcamps in France: An Inexpensive and Rewarding Way to Go by Angelica Leone
Volunteering in Ile D'Hoedic, France: Immerse Yourself in a Cross-Cultural Experience on a Small Budget by Netanya Stutz
Working and Learning French in Montpellier, France by Christina Rebuffet-Broadus
Studying French in Montpellier, France: Cultural and Linguistic Tourism by Christina Rebuffet-Broadus
Studying Abroad in Paris with Columbia University by Isabel Bohrer
Staying in France for Free: Volunteer at a Youth Hostel for Room and Board by Lisa Cordeiro
Choosing a French Language School: How to Find the Best Immersion Program by Kathy Christiansen
Learn French at L’Atelier 9 in Paris by Sally Ottaway 
Studying French in France: The Only Difficulty is Narrowing Down Your Options by Sharon Goldstein
Study Abroad in Paris: Tips for Your Semester Abroad by Audrey Queyreyre and John Chrisman
Study Abroad at the Sorbonne in Paris by
No Age Limits for Study Abroad in France by Carolita Blythe
How to Study in France: Former Students Reflect on Their Experiences by Wendy Lyons
Traveling to Learn in France: Vacation Courses Offer Opportunities for Immersion by Anna Gibson
Painting in France: Arrange Your Own Program and Get What You Want by Sarah Massey
Cooking Vacations in France by Kelby Hartson Carr 
Slow Food in France on a Budget by Kelby Hartson Carr 
Slow Food Regions of France by Kelby Hartson Carr 
Learning about Burgundy Wines on a Budget: Combine Cycling Through the Vineyards and Drinking Fine Wine in France by Michael Kerwin
France on a Budget: Travel on the Cheap in France is Still Possible by Kelby Hartson Carr 
Budget Transportation in France by Finn Skovgaard
Budget Travel in France: An Insider's Tips by Finn Skovgaard
Paris for Free: Tips for a Successful Homestay by Bradwell Jackson
Paris Stays: Ways to Stretch Them to the Maximum by Mark J. Schechinger
Paris Long Term: Keeping Costs Low and Quality High by Carol Perehudoff
Exploring the Diversity of Provence: The Foods, Wines, Markets, and Cultural Life of Avignon by Beebe Bahrami
Touring the Food and Wine Regions of Southern France from Montpellier by Beebe Bahrami
Travel to Eat: Eating in Paris Guidelines by Phyllis Cohen
Cooking Classes in Paris: Travelers of All Ages Learn Elegant Home Cooking by Victoria Cooksey
Paris' Hidden Tearooms by Karen Burns
Affordable Paris: Paris on Your Own Costs Around $100 a Day by Ron Getz
The Cave Man Cometh: Travel in France's Dordogne River Valley by Rick Steves
Provence and the French Riviera: Pick Your Home Base, then Relax and Explore by Rick Steves
Make a Detour to France’s Gypsy Mecca by Michele Peterson
Two Families in Antibes: Going Together Adds to Adventure by Mary E. DeMuth
Eat at the Bouchons of Lyon: Discovering the Hidden Gems of France's Dining Mecca by Rion Klawinski
Brittany: France’s Celtic Corner by Kathy Widing
Loving the Lot in France: Its Other Pleasures Are as Satisfying as Its Cuisine by Carmen K. Myers
Camping in the South of France: Join Europeans on a Popular Mediterranean Vacation by Catherine Spaeth and Shaun McElhatton
The Painted Caves of the Perigord by Brenda Kiser
The Road to Agincourt by Andre H. Nelson
Alsace Farmstays: Take the Cheese and Wine Roads Through France’s “Beau Jardin” by Kent St. John
Budget Hotels in France by Ted Jones

Back to Top

 Business and Economy in France

U.S. Commercial Service offers assistance to help U.S. businesses export goods and services to markets worldwide, including France.

The Economist is a British weekly newsmagazine reporting on the global economy, politics etc. The Country Briefings, compiled for 60 countries by the Economist Intelligence Unit, provides extensive economic and political data, as well as links to articles. Take a look at the France Country Briefing.

The American Chamber of Commerce in France, www.amchamfrance.org. 156 Boulevard Haussmann, 75008 Paris, France; Tel: +33 (0) 1 5643 4567; Fax: +33 (0) 1 5643 4560; amchamfrance@amchamfrance.org.

Invest in France Agency, www.afii.fr, is the French government agency for international investment.

AmCham EU - American Chamber of Commerce to the EU, www.eucommittee.be. Avenue des Arts 53, 1000 Brussels, Belgium; Tel: 32 2 513 68 92; Fax: 32 2 513 79 28; amchameu@amchameu.be.

INSEE - National Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies, www.insee.fr.

French-American Chamber of Commerce – New York, www.faccnyc.org. 1350 Avenue of the Americas - 6th Floor, New York, NY 10019; Tel: 1 (212) 765 4460; Fax: 1 (212) 765 4650; info@faccnyc.org.

U.S. Government Export Portal publishes Country & Industry Market Reports, Commercial guides, and other essential information for doing business abroad, including France.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) provides a lot of economic information about its member states, including France.

Top

 Education and Study in France

Office of Overseas Schools, Department of State, www.state.gov/m/a/os/, lists American International Schools for most countries, including France: American School of Paris.

FrenchCulture.org, www.frenchculture.org, the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the U.S, provides information about Studying in France.

Cultural Services of the French Embassy, 972 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10021; Fax: (212) 439 1455; jean-christian.agid@diplomatie.gouv.fr.

Agence EduFrance, www.edufrance.fr/en, provides resources for those intending to study in France. U.S. Office: Alliance Française de Miami, 1414 Coral Way, Miami FL 33145; Tel: 1 305 859 87 60; Fax : + 1 305 856 93 98; edufrance@afmiami.org.

GoAbroad.com, www.goabroad.com, in its Study Abroad section, provides an international education database for France.

Worldwide Classroom, www.worldwide.edu, contains information on over 10,000 schools in 95 countries, including France. The web pages include information about primary and secondary schools, as well as universities and language schools.

Top

 Embassies, Consulates, and Immigration to France

Worpermit.com, provides immigation, visa, and work permit information for France.

The embassies and consulates listed below will be able to provide detailed information as well:

United States Embassy in France, france.usembassy.gov; 2, avenue Gabriel, 75382 Paris Cedex 08. Tel. +33 1 43 12 22 22

British Embassy in France, www.britishembassy.gov.uk; 35, rue du Faubourg St Honoré, 75383 Paris Cedex 08; Tel: +33 (0)1 44 51 31 00; Fax: +33 (0)1 44 51 41 27; webmaster.paris@fco.gov.uk.

Canadian Embassy in France, www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca; 35, avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris; Tel: 01 44 43 29 00; Fax: 01 44 43 29 99.

French Embassy in the U.S., www.info-france-usa.org; info@ambafrance-us.org.

French General Consulate, www.consulfrance-washington.org; 4101 Reservoir Road, N.W., Washington D.C. 20007; Tel: (202) 944 6195; Fax: (202) 944 6148; info@consulfrance-washington.org.

French Embassy in Canada, www.ambafrance-ca.org; 42 Sussex Drive, OTTAWA (ON) K1M 2C9; Tel: (613) 789 17 95; Fax: (613) 562 37 35.

French Embassy in the U.K., www.ambafrance-uk.org; 58 knightsbridge, London SW1X 7JT; Tel. (44) 207 073 1000.

Top

 Expatriate Websites and Resources for France

The Assn. of Americans Resident Overseas (AARO), www.aaro.org; 34, avenue de New York, Paris 75116 France; Tel: 33-1-47-20-24-15; Fax: 33-1-47-20-24-16. Works to secure, protect, and improve basic American rights for U.S. citizens overseas. Offers a group medical insurance plan. Publishes quarterly newsletter. Active in facilitating absentee voting in U.S. Federal Elections.

Americans in Toulouse, www.americansintoulouse.com. AIT is a non-profit, expatriate support association based in Toulouse and reaching out into the Midi-Pyrenees region.

Anglo Info, www.angloinfo.com, provides insights and practical advice for expatriate Brits in France.

Association of American Wives of Europeans (AAWE), www.aaweparis.org, is a non-profit organization of American women married to Europeans, primarily in the Paris area.

British Expat is a site for British citizens living abroad, with a section on Living in France.

BritishExpats.com is a website dedicated to British expats around the world, including a forum on Living in France.

Council for the English Speaking Community in Paris (CESC), cesc.online.fr, is an informal organization for the exchange of news and information between more than eighty English-speaking service groups and associations in the Paris region.

Expat Exchange provides a wealth of resources and articles, as well as a forum.The site has a few useful articles and links about Living in France.

Expat Focus provides information and resources for expatriates for a large number of countries, including Living in France. The website also host forums and blogs for expats.

Expatriates.com is an online community for expatriates, has a section on France, with classified ads, links, and a bulletin board.

FAWCO (Federation of American Women's Clubs Overseas) is an international network to support American women living abroad with over 70 member clubs worldwide, including women living in France.

French Entree: French Property & Living in France, www.frenchentree.com. Portal and expatriate community site covering France. Legal and tax advice, finance for french properties, education and health, traveling to and living in France.

The Languedoc Page, www.the-languedoc-page.com, is a guide to Languedoc including expatriate support for living in France, including forums, links and other resources.

Living and Working in France, www.skovgaard-europe.com/immifran.htm, is Finn Skovgaard's popular and comprehensive guide for expatriates in France. See also the expats and relocation service.

Meetup lists group meetings in cities around the world to help bring people with common interests together and promote the development of active local communities. Check out the France section, listing groups all over the country.

Newcomers Club Worldwide is a worldwide directory of newcomers clubs for newly arrived expatriates, including France.

Tales from a Small Planet, www.talesmag.com, is a webzine with news, stories, links, excellent message boards, and other resources for travelers and expatriates; The France section (requires password) features "Real Post Reports" by expatriates , as well as useful links.

Network for Living Abroad provides miscellaneous information and articles for expatriates for a variety of countries, including France.

Top

 Government and International Organizations in France

French Foreign Ministry, www.france.diplomatie.fr.

European Union Website, europa.eu.int.

European Union - Delegation of the European Commission to the United States, www.eurunion.org.

Eurostat, europa.eu.int/comm/eurostat, is the EU's statistical office, providing statistical information on all aspects of the EU.

Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations, www.un.int/france, provides general information about culture, politics and the economy, as well as a variety of useful links, or visit the United Nations web portal at www.un.int.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, www.customs.gov, provides useful information on its Travel Spotlight page about customs regulations when leaving and entering the U.S.

United States Mission to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), www.usoecd.org; 12, avenue Raphael  75016 Paris, France; Tel: 33 (0)1 4524 7477  Fax: 33 (0)1 4524 7480; usoecdpao@usoecd.org

CanadaEuropa is the website of the European Bureau of Foreign Affairs Canada (FAC), with a section on France.

Top

 Housing and Real Estate in France

International Real Estate Digest provides international real estate listings, including a section on France.

International Real Estate Directory has worldwide real estate listings, including France.

See TransitionsAbroad.com's list of Home Rentals in France .

Top

 News and Media in France

Le Monde, www.lemonde.fr

Le Figaro, www.lefigaro.fr

France Magazine, www.francemagazine.org, is an English language magazine covering French art, culture, food, society, politics, travel etc.

USAbroad.org, www.usabroad.org, provides news for U.S. citizens who live and travel abroad.

Kidon Media Link is an online directory of world newspapers and news media, has an extensive listing of news media in France.

Live-radio.net provides continuously updated links to thousands of online radio stations worldwide, including France.

Online Newspapers lists over 1,000 links to online newspapers worldwide, including France.

Top

 Recommended Reading on France

Living Abroad in France by Terry Link

Living and Working in France, 8th Edition: A Survival Handbook by David Hampshire

Working and Living: France by Monica Larner

Rick Steves' France 2007

Lonely Planet France by Nicola Williams

When in France, Do as the French Do by Ross Steele

Fodor's France 2007

French or Foe?: Getting the Most Out of Visiting, Living and Working in France by Polly Platt

Frommer's France 2007 by Darwin Porter, Danforth Prince

Culture Shock! France: A Guide to Customs and Etiquette by Sally A. Taylor

France (Eyewitness Travel Guides) by DK Publishing

The Rough Guide to France by Andrew Benson

The Guide to Lodging in France's Monasteries by Eileen Barish.

Top

 Travel Information for France

About.com provides very useful articles, links and travel information for a large number of countries, including France.

France Guide.com, www.franceguide.com, is the official website of the Maison de la France, the French Government Tourist Office.

French Tourist Office, www.francetourism.com.

Frommers provides destination guides for countries worldwide, with a section on Europe, including France.

Lonely Planet Worldguide provides a lot of useful travel information, including France.

Maison de la France, New York, 444 Madison Avenue, 10022 New York NY; Tel : 00 1 514 288 1904 ; Fax : 00 1 212 838 78 55; info.us@franceguide.com.

Maison de la France, Great Britain, 178 Piccadilly, W1J 9AL London, UK; Tel : 09068 244 123; Fax : (020) 7493 6594; info.uk@franceguide.com.

Maison de la France, Canada, 1981 av. Mc Gill College Suite 490, H3A 2W9 Montreal, Canada, Tel : (514) 288 20 26; Fax : (514) 845 48 68; canada@franceguide.com.

Tourisme en France, www.tourisme.fr/us, provides a lot of travel information for visitors to France.

Rough Guides Destinations offers a lot of useful travel advice and information for most countries, including France.

WorldHum.com offers some excellent articles and posts on France.

Top

 Working while Living in France

See TransitionsAbroad.com's sections on:

Top

Living and Working in France