As we all know, things are rarely what they look like in the movies or in romanticized novels. We learn so much more about the world around us when we experience things first hand. Here are some everyday things that surprised me about Paris when I first arrived. These aren’t necessarily culture shocks, just things that stood out to me in my initial observations.
Like in any big city, finding an apartment to rent in Paris can be challenging. I’ve created this guide to help you get ready for the apartment hunt. By the end of this blog post, you should have a better idea of how to find an apartment in Paris and what paperwork you’ll need to put together for the application.
Whether you are making a permanent move abroad or just living abroad temporarily as an expat, it’s important to remember that life abroad, like life anywhere, has its ups and downs. Here’s a list of some of the biggest challenges you may face and how to overcome them.
Has it really been two years already since this American picked up her life to join her Frenchman in France? This time has gone by so quickly, and I’m sure you’ll agree with me that it has certainly been an eventful two years. Let’s take a look at some of the ups and downs from this past year of living in France.
As the spouse of a French citizen, I recently renewed my carte de séjour “vie privée et familiale” (CdS VPF). This residence permit allows me to continue living and working in France and has a duration of two years.
Apartment hunting in Paris can be an exciting adventure but it can easily become an overwhelming full-time job. Before diving in, it is essential to take the time to define your criteria so you can efficiently sort through listings and rapidly identify apartments that are worth touring.
Are you planning a trip to Paris? You might want to rethink that. Honestly, it’s not worth it. Take it from someone who lives here.
Troyes, the city of a thousand colors, is an often overlooked gem of France, but worth a visit for the architecture, churches, museums, food, and champagne (of course). Check out this guide to plan your day or weekend trip to Troyes.
A numéro fiscal is your unique number to use when filing taxes in France. There are a couple of different ways you can get a tax identification number (TIN). I acquired one quite easily as the spouse of a French citizen, so this blog post will detail how I accomplished that.
As an American grocery shopping in France, there were definitely some things that initially surprised me. Here’s what you can expect at the grocery store in France as well as a few handy tips to make your experience better.