Thinking of moving to France? You’re not alone. I was in your shoes back in the day. But before you pack your bags, there are a bunch of points to consider and some might even fall into the culture shock category. I wrote an in-depth article on 9 things people majorly underestimate when moving to France but in this fun list post, I’m getting into 40 things that may catch you off guard when you move to France.
Here are 40 things to know when you move to France:
1. Bureaucracy is king
Even the French make jokes about the bureaucracy, and as a foreigner, you’ll definitely take part in the fun. Most administrative tasks get done verrrrry slowly, require lots of paperwork and usually involve a never-ending list of documents you need to have.
Physical paperwork is still a huge part of life here, so don’t expect everything to be digital. From your residency card renewal, to opening a bank account, to your driver’s license, be prepared for a lot of paperwork and bring an extra dose of patience.
I’m in the process of renewing my residency card at the moment and I had to round up six consecutive utility bills for each of the past three years plus a bunch of other documents including a copy of every page of my passport with a stamp. It was a 20-page document.
2. Your French level matters
Having at least a conversational grasp of France is absolutely essential to adapting to life here (although there are many reasons why foreigners move to France and don’t learn French). Even if you think your high school French will cut it, living here is a whole different ball game. Everyday life requires you to speak French and if you want to actually integrate, do yourself a favor and start learning now.
3. Banking is… different
Opening a bank account requires an appointment and can be quite tricky for Americans (because of FATCA reporting that many French banks don’t want to deal with). You’ll be required to bring in a bunch of documents too, no surprise there. Don’t expect U.S.-style same-day service either. Your debit card will come in the mail a week later and banking isn’t free, by the way.
Photo credit: Shutterstock.com / Phovoir
4. Healthcare is amazing—but not to free by any means
While much more affordable than in the U.S., French healthcare isn’t free. You’ll pay heavily into the system. The great part is that care won’t bankrupt you and you won’t lose coverage if you lose your job. Keep in mind most people opt to pay for a “mutuelle” to cover what la sécu doesn’t.
5. Social etiquette isn’t optional
There are unspoken rules in France, like saying “bonjour” before starting any interaction. Failing to do so is seen as rude, so be ready to adapt to the French variety of social politeness.
6. You’ll need to learn when to tutoyer and vousvoyer
I didn’t even know there were verbs for this when I first moved. French has two ways to say “you: formal/plural (vous) and informal (tu). Using the wrong one can be awkward.
7. Public transport strikes are real
Strikes are part of life here, especially for public transport. Planes, trains, farmers, you name it and there’s a strike. Always have a backup plan to avoid being stranded!
8. Not everything is open all the time
Shops, restaurants, and even grocery stores may open later and close earlier than what you’re used to back home, especially on Sundays when stores may not be open at all. Get used to planning around shorter hours.
9. Long lunch breaks are sacred
French work culture values taking a real lunch break and not just eating at your desk while continuing to work. A sit-down lunch (sometimes with wine!) is totally normal and many offices and shops may close from noon to 2 p.m.-ish, so plan accordingly.
10. Landlords can be picky
Renting isn’t as straightforward as it is in the U.S. Landlords expect extensive documentation that you put together in a dossier and it’s quite competitive even when you have a steady job. But for a foreigner without roots in France, it can be even more tedious, especially if you don’t have an established work history and permanent contract.
11. Dinner is later
Most French people eat dinner around 8 p.m. The absolute earliest would be 7 p.m. People joke that anytime before that is when people eat dinner in nursing homes. So if you’re used to eating dinner at 5 or 6 p.m., you might have to adjust your eating habits when you go out to eat since most restaurants aren’t open for reservations until 7 or 7:30 p.m.
12. Job hunting takes time
Finding work as a foreigner can be slow, especially if you don’t speak much French. Networking is key, but so is persistence. Here’s how to find a job in France. If you need some career direction or want to find your purpose, this science-based assessment is great.
13. You’ll need a social security number
To access healthcare, you’ll need a French social security number. Getting one can take time, as can a carte vitale, so be patient.
14. Friendships take time to build
The French tend to keep personal circles small and don’t have that American brand of friendliness, so don’t expect instant friendships and for people to warm up to you right away. Building trust here is a marathon, not a sprint. My tip? Join some activites. I made friends at my gym.
15. Kissing is normal
La bise (cheek kissing) is a part of life, but knowing when to kiss or shake hands takes some practice. Watch others and follow suit.
16. The pace of French life is slower
You might find this relaxing or frustrating, but either way, it’s an adjustment. I’m talking about everything from emails getting answered and businesses returning your calls to how people take time to enjoy life and their vacations. The French take their time and I talk about it more here.
17. The work-life balance is real
People work to live, not live to work. If you’re used to putting in super long work weeks and taking your work home with you, this might be a huge culture shift. Yes, high-stress jobs exist in France too but more people here seem to be able to unplug and enjoy their lives more. The five weeks/year of paid vacation helps too!
18. Sales happen twice a year
They’re called les soldes and take place in July and January. Unlike the constant sales in the U.S., France has official sales periods but the winter one is AFTER the holidays.
19. Wine is affordable, but quality matters
You can get decent wine at a good price, but don’t go for the cheapest bottles at the supermarket. There’s no shortage of quality wine and you can still buy some without breaking the bank, often direct from the producers. I’m a huge muscadet fan. Here’s what to know before visiting a French winery.
20. French humor can be… different
Sarcastic and not always politically correct, French humor might not be what you’re used to. Give yourself time to understand the jokes before joining in.
21. Your American appliances won’t work
Voltage is different, so leave those American hair dryers and electronics at home The issue is the hertz too and not the voltage. Only use electronics like computers, chargers, and appliances with universal voltage that accept 100–240 V, at 50–60 Hz or you risk catching your flatiron on fire like I did.
22. Be ready to climb the stairs
Many old French buildings don’t have elevators, so be prepraed for daily stair workouts if you’re living in a charming old apartment. Your apartment may be on the 5th or even 6th floor so if you’re mobility impaired, or just someone who is in and out a lot, this is something to consider (especially without the a/c in the summer).
23. Bedside manner is different
Although care is usually accessible and high quality, doctors in France don’t spend as much time on bedside manner as in the U.S. It’s all about efficiency and doctors’ directness might catch you off guard. Advocating for yourself isn’t really a thing so tread lightly.
24. Recycling rules vary
Each region has its own recycling guidelines, and the rules can be strict and different than what you are used to at home. Learn what goes where early on to avoid fines and confusion. To give you an example, I have curbside trash pickup once a week and recycling (that doesn’t include glass) once every two weeks. I have to take glass to the dump or a separate glass receptacle.
25. France has its own fast food
It might surprise you to know that fast food in France is thriving. You’ll find McDonald’s, Burger King, Domino’s Pizza, Five Guys, KFC, and so much more. While McDonald’s is popular, France puts its own spin on things with the McBaguette. And let’s not forget O’Tacos, a chain which makes French tacos, which are more like burritos with French fries inside.
26. Pharmacies are for more than medicine
French pharmacies are the go-to for beauty products, health essentials, and advice. Pharmacists play a much bigger role in the community than in the U.S. I did a behind-the-scenes video at a French pharmacy here.
27. French media isn’t France-centric
News here focuses heavily on Europe and global issues, not just France (or just the U.S., as was the case in the U.S.). This broader perspective is refreshing.
28. Customer service is less… service-oriented
Over the years, French customer service has gotten a lot better, so let me start off by saying that. Customer service in France is functional but less “customer-is-always-right” than in the U.S. Managing expectations will help you adjust.
29. Tipping is minimal
Tips aren’t expected in France like they are in the U.S. at places like restaurants, salons, etc. Rounding your bill up or leaving a few euros for great service is appreciated but not required. Leaving 15-20% of your bill would be unusual. I wrote all about tipping in France here.
30. Not every French person is Parisian
When we think of France, we think of Paris and Parisians, but France is diverse! Each region has its own traditions, cuisine, and dialects. The old, tired stereotypes about French people need to stop.
Photo credit: Shutterstock.com / Zynatis
31. Air conditioning isn’t the norm
Central air conditioning isn’t standard in French homes and summers can get hot — especially in the South of France. Most people get by with fans and closing their window shutters (les volets) instead. Places of business might be light on the a/c as well and definitely won’t have it set to temps requiring you to wear a hoodie indoors in the summer like in Miami. Some might even say the French are scared of air conditioning.
32. Internet isn’t always instant
Setting up internet in your home or apartment can be a multi-week process, unlike the speedy setups you might expect back home. Plan ahead if you work online. Making an appointment for a few weeks out is customary.
Even though I’m not in a rural area at all, I’m still waiting on fiber in my neighborhood. It takes about 12 hours for me to upload a 10-minute YouTube video. Not joking. The good thing is that cable TV/wifi/mobile phone packages are pretty affordable. I almost fell over when I saw a relative’s cable/wifi bill in the U.S.!
33. France takes its vacation seriously
With five weeks of paid vacation for all employees, French employees take time off and enjoy it. It’s not a perk of working for a good employer but a right afforded to all. Don’t expect much to get done in August when everyone’s on break.
34. They even have a word for people who vacation in July and August
Piggybacking off the above point, vacation is so integral to French culture that there’s a word for people who vacation in July and August. It’s les juilletistes and les aoûtiens, respectively.
35. Driving is different
French traffic laws are strict, parking can be a challenge since parking spaces are smaller, most cars are stick shifts. Also, speed cameras are everywhere. Driving in France requires patience and caution.
36. Writing paper checks is still a thing
I see someone write a check every time I go to the grocery store. Most people have a checkbook as well. Debit cards are used most of the time but checks are still used.
37. Smoking is still common
While less than years past, smoking is still prevalent, especially on terraces and seems to be less stigmatized in France. To give you some facts, according to the International Union for the Scientific Study of Population, in France the smoking epidemic began later than in the United States. The number of cigarettes sold per adult per day peaked in the U.S. in 1961, while it peaked later in France in 1985.
As a result, smoking prevalence is higher today in France (31%) than the United States (16%). If you’re sensitive to smoke, this might come as an unwelcome surprise.
38. Be prepared to pay for water if you aren’t careful
In many touristy restaurants, unless you ask for tap water, you’ll be given bottled water and charged for it. Don’t be shy about requesting une carafe d’eau (tap water). It’s not a faux pas to do so. But watch out for these faux pas. Also, here are my first-time France travel tips.
39. Learning the metric system is a must
The metric system is standard in France (and most areas outside the U.S.), so brushing up on Celsius, kilometers, kilograms, etc. will help avoid daily confusion. Here are things France calculates differently as well as how numbers are used differently than in the U.S.
40. Everything is smaller
Depending on where you’re from, you might be used to a lot of space. From living spaces to cars/roads/parking spaces to portion sizes and even people themselves, many things are smaller in France than in the U.S. Adjusting to smaller everything can take some time.
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Despite the more challenging parts of life in France, it can be an amazing place to live. There are pros and cons to life anywhere and it’s only normal that not everywhere has the same way of doing things.
If you’re moving abroad, being prepared and knowing what to expect are super important for adapting to life somewhere new. I hope my blog is helping you in that department. 😉
You might also like this post on big misconceptions that are way off base about life in France.
For even MORE FRANCE TIPS, grab my France travel guide that delivers all kind of practical travel info!
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Hi Diana , your article is excellente comme d’habitude! But I think it’s misleading to say that one ‘pays heavily’ into the healthcare système.. Of couse, it all depends on your individual situation and income, and a mutuelle is strongly recommandé if you are not part of something like the CSS or MSA coverage, just to give two exemple. But I don’t know anyone who pays exorciste amount of money.
extortionate, not exorciste !!!
Hi Anne, glad you enjoyed it! I’m going to stand by my word choice. 😉 I feel we do pay heavily into social programs (not just healthcare), especially as a self employed person. Between the social charges and taxes, then the add’l taxes that are assessed when you look at our household earnings, plus a CFE tax for being self employed, etc. it’s a lot! Then we pay for a mutuelle, which is good but doesn’t cover everything. If you have health issues, like some people in my family, lots of medications and treatments have costs that aren’t reimbursed or aren’t well reimbursed and they add up.
To be clear, I have no issue with paying into the system for the good of society — you get a lot in return generally speaking –but I’d be lying if I said taxes/social charges were minimal or that healthcare is free.
HI, I don’t want to sound condescendant at all, but I see no reason why you should pay heavily for health issues. There are many avenues to explore. Self emploi does not mean you should pay more than those who are not auto entrepreneur. I’m sure that you know this but ameli.fr can give you so much help on the issues or remboursement etc in communication with your mutuelle. You shouldn’t have to feel that you are paying a lot for the greater good – that’s not how it’s supposed to work !
Great list, Diane, and I’d say you’ve barely scratched the surface. (haha)
One thing to add to #3 (banking) is that there are no tellers in banks. You only go there to meet a *conseiller* for some manner of paperwork-heavy account processing that will still take 1 to 3 weeks to complete.
You don’t go in to withdraw or deposit money, or any other transactional service. All that is handled through automation, at some ATM inside or out.
Don’t be fooled by the signs outside buildings — banks, and bank accounts, or more of a concept than a real thing.
🙂
David
Oh wow, that’s interesting, David. At my Credit Agcricole, while you can use the ATM to make a deposit and get cash, you can do things via one of the employees/tellers that stand behind a computer and stand-up desk right after you walk in. There are conseillers in the offices that you have to make an appt for if you want a loan or something but the regular tellers have helped me do a money transfer before when my social charges didn’t go through to URSSAF and other stuff. But at my bank, like yours, they don’t handle cash directly unless you “order” money in advance for a larger withdrawal. Re: tellers though, guess it depends on the bank!
Hi Diane! Here I go again, writing yet another tome to your fabulous posts. 🙂 Your posts have helped me (and I am sure others too) immensely as I’ve slowly moved to France, especially in remembering that patience and fortitude are key…
I admit that the bureaucracy still keeps me up at night, at the sheer molasses-in-winter speed at which is does (not) go. I breathe and try to just methodically tackle the paperwork like I’m applying for a job at the CIA, but sometimes, I want to just scream at the hurdles and “just one more thing/document/question/proof requirement.”
Yeah, honestly, there is no way I could get through nearly any of the paperwork or dealing with day-to-day matters without having an ok-but-improving-I-hope level of French. And I am by no means great. But I try and try and try.
(Good luck on your residency renewal! I can imagine the headaches…)
I laughed at your #23 – bedside manner is different; it’s so true! Honestly, I would not have been as prepared if I hadn’t watched your videos and pored over your posts about your experiences at the doctor’s offices. I am so, so sorry that you went through such hell with some of them, but thank you for sharing them because I took those lessons with me. So, when my GP gave me the stink-eye and with a big ol’ frown on her face, said “You are level 1 obese according to French standards here. You must do something about that,” I just looked at her with (probably) a “WTF?” expression on my face. For my doctor appointments, my husband goes with me because the doctors often get impatient with my French accent and my French level (my GP is one of them, I think she dislikes me entirely) and I worry that they equate my French level with being stupid, so having him there is moral support for me and a “translator” for them if/when they get fed up with my accent.
Oh Diane, you inspire me every day! I’m not at your level of French nor your level of independence, but your videos and posts remind me to continue to press forward and try.
I also laughed at your #31, it’s so true! They are scared of air conditioning! We got air conditioning in our apartment (husband hates it but privately admits that he can’t live without it either) because on the 3ème étage, I would never survive the summer without it. But I swear, every doctor, gym acquaintance, shopkeeper, waiter, hairstylist, pharmacist, even the local butcher, all quietly tsk-tsk and shake their heads at me when the subject of A/C comes up, and say, “It’s no good for you. It will make you sick. It’s terrible for your health, etc.” Meanwhile, I’m thinking, “people, if I didn’t have A/C, you would be dealing with me *after* I turned into Animal from the Muppets.” (just kidding…but seriously, I’m committed to my A/C! 🙂 )
And a resounding yes, your blog is indispensable for helping me just realize that many of the culture shocks are universal, and not a “me” thing but a “we” thing, and even though I will always be American, I hope that eventually, I will be able to integrate better and reading/listening to your experiences gives me hope and inspiration. So thank you!!!
Hi Johanna, it makes me so happy that my content has helped you. I know I’ve said that before but I truly mean it.
It’s funny that doctors will point out level 1 obesity but seem to never give smokers the same speech. I know a bunch of smokers in France and asked if their doctors encourage them to quit and I think only one ever had a conversation about it. And so true about worrying that people think we’re stupid. I felt realllllllllly stupid the first couple of years here.
I had to cave on a bedroom a/c after 6 or so years here. We only use it a handful of times a year but I’m a monster without sleep!
Hi Diane. It’s Joe and Gigi from Freezing Cape May in the “South of New Jersey” (I just love how the French refer to southern France as “south of France.” Even the Italians say southern Italys and not “ South of Italy.”)
Every time I read your post I learn something new like using paper checks something I rarely use here.
As to tipping, restaurants are now suggesting tipping at 23% on the check going down to about 18%. Happened again Saturday evening at supper before taking my granddaughters to see Moana II.
I enjoyed your “shock and amazement” at the monthly cost of US cable, internet and TV. Approaching $200 a month. I’ll never forget my amazement at what my Parisian friends were paying for Orange service…about 30 Euros a month including phone service (VOIP) which is not included here.
As to A/C…during my online French house shopping, I’ve noticed several with the newer heating/A/C inverter systems which if priced fairly would be a great option. (My house has a Fujitsu system which works excellently.)
My biggest challenge at the moment is securing professional and reliable transportation for my dog Gigi who is a 7 year old Frenchie. American Airlines will not allow her to fly because of her squished nose. Any suggestions you or your readers might have would be greatly appreciated.
Please keep up your inspiring work and say hello to Tom. All best…Joseph and Gigi.
It’s always interesting to read about the differences people discover when moving to live abroad. I moved from the UK to the U.S. and was quite shocked that there were more surprising things to get used to than I had assumed. It was so interesting reading about the things in France like this!
So glad you enjoyed the post, Molly!!