For all those coming to France

[kayll]

Hi bev, Thanx for very helpful tips.As a portrait artist maybe I'll go straight to the Mairiwe and offer to paint the mayors portrait or if that fails then give him some tennis lessons!.Integrating into French life has been a long desire of mine.I'm under no misconceptions that it will be a case of just arriving and the ideal life will begin!.Far from it,but I have had enough experience to realise that I don't belong in Britain and my interests and skills would have a far better chance of flourishing in France than here in Britain.Or should that be America!!>If you have any ideas as to how I could find work,a place to live in the Provence or Nice area as a first chose,but any where to start would be great,then I would be very grateful indeed.Bon Chance KAYLL

Originally Posted by Bevdeforges

We've had a number of people through the forum recently who are looking to relocate to France. France is a beautiful country, but from personal experience I can assure you that living here and getting yourself installed and integrated as a resident is very different from just spending a few weeks here on holiday. Here are a few tips on making the most out of a move to France:

1. LEARN THE LANGUAGE - preferably before you go!

The French are immensely proud of their language, and outside the tourist areas, it can be difficult to nearly impossible to find someone who will admit to speaking English. Part of this is because the French educational system doesn't teach languages very well, so although most French people have studied English at school, few feel confident enough to use the language in public (especially in front of a native speaker). If you're thinking of living in France, take a French class or get yourself some tapes or CDs so that you'll have at least a few basic phrases before you go. (Even if all you can say is "I'm sorry, but I don't speak French very well" it's always better to start in French.)

The French resent the swarms of Brits who (as they put it) "refuse to learn the language" and who "expect us to speak English." Even if your French is bad, you'll do much, much better if you start out with "Excusez-moi de vous déranger..." (excuse me for bothering you) than if you have to go around asking "Do you speak English?"

2. Take a French class on arrival.

OK, I know I said the French don't teach languages very well - and they don't. But take a language class once you get to France - no matter what your level. (If you require a carte de séjour, you are now required to take 400 hours of French classes offered free by the State unless you can demonstrate a basic level of fluency on arrival. Completion of the classes is a requirement for renewing your carte after the first year.) It's a super way to meet other foreigners, and if your classmates don't speak English, so much the better. It's far easier to practice your French with someone who is also just learning the language. If you want to chat with your classmates and they don't speak English, you'll have to use your French to make yourself understood. And after all, communication is the whole reason you're trying to learn the language in the first place.

The big advantage of practicing with other foreigners is that they won't correct every grammatical mistake you make or be too fussy about your pronunciation. If they understand you, you've done good. If they don't then you have to find a clearer way of saying what you're trying to say. Very often you'll find that the French correct you as you speak, and that can be very inhibiting. Learn French with other foreigners in France, and you'll have lots of chance to practice your French, even if it's only to complain among yourself about what a dork your teacher is!

3. Use the resources of your local mairie (town hall).

We anglo-saxons (what the French call Brits, Americans and other anglophones) tend to avoid interactions with local governmental agencies like the plague. In France, this is a big mistake. The French go to the mairie for just about any problem they encounter. And, it's a good idea to go into the mairie in person the first few times, to get yourself known and to try and cultivate a clerk or two who is willing to help you when you have questions. (Maybe even someone who will help with your halting French!)

The mairie is the center of any town, and in the mairie you will find all sorts of useful information, including brochures about the various clubs and associations in town, information about the schools, building regulations and how to register for most of the stuff you have to register for in France. (If you don't actually register for it at the mairie, the clerks will be happy to tell you how and where to register. They will often look up addresses and phone numbers for you and write down the requirements.) Many mairies sponsor free or low-cost French classes, or they can find you French classes within the district or departement. (See #2) And the mairies run cultural and sporting events in town. But you have to ask for information (in French, preferably). The French aren't ones to make big publicity campaigns, and they don't usually volunteer information if you haven't asked for it.

4. Find a club or association to join.

Ask at the mairie about AVF, an association called Accueil des Villes Françaises, which is a sort of welcoming group for newcomers to town. If there isn't an AVF, ask if there is any sort of "association d'accueil" or one for "les nouveaux arrivants." Sometimes the mairie runs a reception for newcomers (usually shortly after school starts in September) or a "Forum des associations" where the various clubs and associations present themselves and trawl for new members. If there is no newcomers group, then find a group that matches an interest of yours - photography, yoga, a hiking group or flower arranging. It's much more fun practising your French when you're really interested in the subject. If your town doesn't have any clubs or activities that interest you, try the next town over, or the closest larger town.

Expat groups are another source of friends, especially those who speak your language, but it's also important to reach out and make friends within the French community around you. A little effort often goes a long, long way.

Cheers,
Bev

[Bevdeforges]

Hi Kayll! I think I'll respond over in your other thread there. See you over there.
Cheers,
Bev

[Keoni]

I am living in the Cevennes, 5 ks from the Ardeche, 35 ks from Provence.

I have never met freindlier, more helpfull and genuinely kind people than I have met here. Although I am taking lessons my French is hopeless at present. Non the less everyone I meet is patient with me and corrects me as I go along.

My neighbours have helped me with trips to the Marie, telephone calls, finding doctors etc. And as I live alone they even make sure I have my lights on in the evenings to be sure I am O.K.

The people in the South here are wonderful so don't be afraid of what you hear about the French. If you can speak Catalan you allready have a huge head start.

[dcat]

Thanks Keoni, I will tell my husband what you said. He seems convinced that the French are horrid.

dcat

[EURODOG]

Personally I have been here over 6 years and can't stand it.......we are in Dept. 22, like the firearms law though, it's the best bit for me. Operating a business from here is a nightmare and expensive.....I am casting an eye about for a move, can't go back to the UK, not my country anymore..........

[flanny]

Originally Posted by EURODOG

Personally I have been here over 6 years and can't stand it.......we are in Dept. 22, like the firearms law though, it's the best bit for me. Operating a business from here is a nightmare and expensive.....I am casting an eye about for a move, can't go back to the UK, not my country anymore..........

Hi can you expand on why you don't like it what area are you in? Why is starting a bussiness so expensive?

[EURODOG]

Originally Posted by flanny

Hi can you expand on why you don't like it what area are you in? Why is starting a bussiness so expensive?

Well where to start, first of all this is just my impression and view, I have been here of 7 years and I am well travelled through the North but I have never lived in the south. In the country I find it boring and although I can not totally agree with comments that all the French are rude and unhelpful, I think it fair to say we are not popular in a number of quarters, I think resented is a better term. They resent the fact that we are here in the first place, they resent that we give them far more for their run down ruins than they could ever dream of. They resent that we have invigorated their economy and provided hundreds of jobs in service and other industries that otherwise would not have been available. But they grudging love our money..... There is absolutely no concept of 'customer service' whatsoever.

In the main if you need to work (like most of us) you have to look into being self employed, and the social charge system is expersive, most enterprises close in the 3 rd. year.........

If you want a place to come and just drink wine, eat cheese soak up the rays and watch the seasons pass, it's for you..................

Oh yes, we are in Det. 22 (Brittany) the best bit, it goes a little doen hill toward the middle.........

[flanny]

Originally Posted by EURODOG

Well where to start, first of all this is just my impression and view, I have been here of 7 years and I am well travelled through the North but I have never lived in the south. In the country I find it boring and although I can not totally agree with comments that all the French are rude and unhelpful, I think it fair to say we are not popular in a number of quarters, I think resented is a better term. They resent the fact that we are here in the first place, they resent that we give them far more for their run down ruins than they could ever dream of. They resent that we have invigorated their economy and provided hundreds of jobs in service and other industries that otherwise would not have been available. But they grudging love our money..... There is absolutely no concept of 'customer service' whatsoever.

In the main if you need to work (like most of us) you have to look into being self employed, and the social charge system is expersive, most enterprises close in the 3 rd. year.........

If you want a place to come and just drink wine, eat cheese soak up the rays and watch the seasons pass, it's for you..................

Oh yes, we are in Det. 22 (Brittany) the best bit, it goes a little doen hill toward the middle.........

Yes , but isn't that true of lots of countries? Lots of British have moved away from the Uk because of people from other countries moving here!!! Also lots of business fail in the first couple of years even in the UK!!! I love the countryside, and just hope we can do a hse exchange for a property in France. As property is just not selling here in the UK at the moment. I expect its the same world wide withe the credit crunch

[EURODOG]

Originally Posted by flanny

Yes , but isn't that true of lots of countries? Lots of British have moved away from the Uk because of people from other countries moving here!!! Also lots of business fail in the first couple of years even in the UK!!! I love the countryside, and just hope we can do a hse exchange for a property in France. As property is just not selling here in the UK at the moment. I expect its the same world wide withe the credit crunch

I live here and it's just my opinion.....good luck!..............

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by EURODOG

They resent the fact that we are here in the first place, they resent that we give them far more for their run down ruins than they could ever dream of. They resent that we have invigorated their economy and provided hundreds of jobs in service and other industries that otherwise would not have been available. But they grudging love our money..... There is absolutely no concept of 'customer service' whatsoever.

Thought of your statement today when I was listening to the news on France Info. It seems that some Russian has now purchased the most expensive villa ever on the Côte d'azur... 150 million euros or so. (Now watch - they want to bulldoze it and build something flashier!)

Meanwhile Giscard d'Estaing can't unload his (over)renovated chateau for a measly 3 million euros in the center of France.

Sounds like the Russians may soon overtake the Brits in the hearts and minds of the French.
Cheers,
Bev