Contact with musicians and other expats in Lyon

[mflute]

I am a 'young' 55 year old musician from South Africa, planning to move to Lyon - perhaps to one of the smaller villages around Lyon, because it might be easier to integrate with the community in a smaller village rather than in the city. It has always been my dream to live in France. I love the country, the people and the language. I am already fairly fluent in French. I have just started the process of immigrating, or rather, researching the possibilities.

In South Africa I freelance as a performing musician, playing concerts and for functions, such as corporate functions, weddings, birthday parties, etc. I play the flute. I also run a private teaching studio. I would like to do the same in France and wondered if anyone has experience playing as a freelance musician and teaching music privately over there?

I would also love to make contact with other musicians in France.

I would greatly appreciate any advice anyone could offer with regard to relocating to France.

Mikki Steyn
mflute@mweb.co.za

[Bevdeforges]

I'm no expert on the area, especially for visa requirements for someone from SA, but you may have some difficulty establishing a convincing "reason" for requesting a visa. I know a couple of musicians who play at one of the jazz clubs in Paris - but both of them have "day jobs" which originally brought them to France and justified their initial visas.

Check with your local French consulate to find the specific requirements for the sort of visa you'd need. Nothing is impossible in France - but some things take considerable planning to carry off.
Cheers,
Bev