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English language services and listings for France.

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24K views 14 replies 6 participants last post by  Bevdeforges  
#1 ·
This topic is a place to post links to English language support for general life in France. This might include day-to-day things like utilities, health and transportation. But, might also include local and national services and agencies as well.

Postings might include, but are not limited to;
  • Phone Numbers (with cost if applicable)
  • Web pages
  • Email addresses
  • Business references (translation, concierge services, etc.)
  • Pointers to existing lists of English language resources in France. (Doctors, lawyers, accountants, etc.)
  • You may also wish to post strategies you have used to find help and support in English.
While posts are free form, please be careful to note if the information provided is limited in some way. For example, Region or city, nationality (I.e. consular services), group/religious affiliation, etc..

Please be respectful about the forum rules on advertising. It is fine to post a service you have used and were satisfied with, but advertising and other general announcements are not acceptable. It is ok to follow-up another post if you have information to update, correct, or, based on personal experience, contradict information that has been posted. However, this is not a place for general discussion and debate over any particular information that may have been posted.
 
#2 ·
Here are a few phone numbers to get things started. All will either answer in English or offer an option for English...
  • SNCF 36 35 then 1 for english 0,40€/min
  • Orange +33 9 69 36 39 00
  • EdF +33 9 69 36 63 83
  • SOS Help Emotional support line for internationals in France +33 1 46 21 46 46
  • Amelie 36 46 0,06€/min
  • RATP 34 24 press 9
  • BNP Paribas +33 157 082 200
  • Chronopost +33 9 69 391 391
 
#3 ·
Wow, that list looks very useful! Let me refer folks to the lists of English speaking professionals published (and periodically updated) by the US Consulate in Paris.
https://fr.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/additional-resources-u-s-citizens/

You may have to dig a little bit, but there are listings of doctors, lawyers who speak English, along with some helpful information about things like driving licenses, getting married in France - all in English. An no, you don't have to be American to access the various lists and info brochures.

There used to be a listing of English speaking private detectives, too. But they don't seem to have that one any more. The mind kind of boggles at just why the Consulate would prepare such a list, but perhaps that is just a bygone era.
 
#4 ·
There is an English version of the notaires.fr website - either click in the top right hand corner to change Français to Anglais, or go direct to https://www.notaires.fr/en.Whilst some information such as English speaking notaires may not be completely up to date, there is excellent information on will and property purchases, etc. and it is a very good place to do a search on the legal terms you know in English in order to determine what might be the equivalent in French, or the closest equivalent in French.
 
#5 ·
Just a quick note here. Although we simplified the rules to more general principles (and so no longer have a "rule 10"), we still have to discourage posting links to what are other forums for people interested in moving to France. What we're looking for here are English language services (telephone or online) for specific agencies, businesses or administrative offices.

If you're looking for advice, opinions and recommendations, just post a query here in ExpatForum and get a discussion going.
 
#6 ·
French government data on a wide range of topics is available from data.gouv.fr Many of the data sets are in English and the user interface is available in French, English, Italian and Spanish. However, even if you set the interface to English, many data sets are still described only in French, even if the content is not.
 
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#10 ·
Actually, since you raise the issue - the Fisc website has quite a bit of information now available in english. Sometimes it is on the same page with the French information. Other times there are pages all in English.

On the impots.gouv.fr site https://www.impots.gouv.fr/portail/particulier just enter a couple of English language terms for the information you're looking for (example: "residence") and very often it will return a page in English (or with English explanation). The International section looks as though it is only for non-residents of France, but try there, too. You may be pleasantly surprised.

And, the translations are much, much better than they used to be.
 
#11 ·
Ameli.fr (l'Assurance Maladie) Has updated their English language phone number. From their website:

CONTACT THE FRENCH HEALTH INSURANCE
You need any information, regarding your social security insurance, benefits and healthcare rights in France ?
Call our French Health Insurance Advice Line :
09 74 75 36 46 (from France)
0033 974 75 36 46 (from other countries)
Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Our English speaking operators will answer immediately or within 48 hours, if the answer requires research.​
 
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#13 ·
SOS Help has limited hours 3pm - 11pm (15h-22h) and only one volunteer working at a time. You might spend a long time on hold. And They are NOT TRAINED THERAPISTS, AND WILL REFER YOU TO A CHURCH RATHER THAN HELP YOU.

If you are feeling suicidal, it is best that you call 112 for help rather than this phonybaloney site.

Your life is important, more important than you might believe it is, and even if you have difficulty with the language, it's better that you contact authorities who will help you than an organization that puts you on hold and insists your problems are because you haven't "found" Jesus.
 
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