[FirstShirt]

If you have an American bank account they should be able to get a credit rating for you. Ask your bank for a credit card instead of a debit card and pay it off each month. That will establish some credit rating. If you have a family member in the US they may permit you to use their address. Most people in France use debit cards because credit cards charge too much but if you pay them off each month there is no interest.
Cheers

 

[FirstShirt]

Bev,
You are right, I obtained mine, as you say, by keeping my US bank account open and my retirement goes directly to it.
Cheers