Daily Life

Daily Life

Practical guides to the rhythms and realities of everyday life in France as an American. This section covers French phone plans and which operators offer the best value for new arrivals, how to set up internet and what to do during the installation wait, navigating French culture and social norms that differ significantly from US expectations, how the French school year and public holiday calendar affect your planning, grocery shopping, healthcare appointments, administrative offices, and other daily logistics. We also cover language learning resources, integration into French social life, finding English-speaking communities, and the practical adjustments that make the difference between a stressful first year and a genuinely good one.

people sitting on chair near building during daytime

Daily Life

Daily Life

Practical guides to the rhythms and realities of everyday life in France as an American. This section covers French phone plans and which operators offer the best value for new arrivals, how to set up internet and what to do during the installation wait, navigating French culture and social norms that differ significantly from US expectations, how the French school year and public holiday calendar affect your planning, grocery shopping, healthcare appointments, administrative offices, and other daily logistics. We also cover language learning resources, integration into French social life, finding English-speaking communities, and the practical adjustments that make the difference between a stressful first year and a genuinely good one.

Daily Life

Daily Life

Practical guides to the rhythms and realities of everyday life in France as an American. This section covers French phone plans and which operators offer the best value for new arrivals, how to set up internet and what to do during the installation wait, navigating French culture and social norms that differ significantly from US expectations, how the French school year and public holiday calendar affect your planning, grocery shopping, healthcare appointments, administrative offices, and other daily logistics. We also cover language learning resources, integration into French social life, finding English-speaking communities, and the practical adjustments that make the difference between a stressful first year and a genuinely good one.

people sitting on chair near building during daytime

Expat loneliness in France is real. A practical guide to making friends in France as an American, and how French friendship actually works.

Friends toasting drinks on a rooftop party.

Expat loneliness in France is real. A practical guide to making friends in France as an American, and how French friendship actually works.

Friends toasting drinks on a rooftop party.

The French administrative vocabulary Americans actually need at the prefecture, CPAM, bank, and housing office, with key phrases to build confidence fast.

person speaking french

The French administrative vocabulary Americans actually need at the prefecture, CPAM, bank, and housing office, with key phrases to build confidence fast.

person speaking french

No French required for the French visa. CIR assessment on arrival. DELF B1 for naturalization. What each permit stage requires and what level is needed.

a wall with a french text on it, illustrating people speaking french

No French required for the French visa. CIR assessment on arrival. DELF B1 for naturalization. What each permit stage requires and what level is needed.

a wall with a french text on it, illustrating people speaking french

How Americans find English-speaking lawyers, notaires, doctors, and accountants in France: official directories, US Embassy lists, and search strategies.

a wall with inscruption "love is the only language i speak fluently", illustrating the english speaking person

How Americans find English-speaking lawyers, notaires, doctors, and accountants in France: official directories, US Embassy lists, and search strategies.

a wall with inscruption "love is the only language i speak fluently", illustrating the english speaking person

What a recommandé is, what an avis de passage means, how to pick up registered mail in France, and what to do when official letters arrive for Americans.

shallow focus photography of gray mailbox illustrating the french mail

What a recommandé is, what an avis de passage means, how to pick up registered mail in France, and what to do when official letters arrive for Americans.

shallow focus photography of gray mailbox illustrating the french mail

USDA health certificate, the 10-day endorsement rule, ISO microchip, rabies timing, and airline rules for Americans moving to France with a dog or cat.

a cat and a dog

USDA health certificate, the 10-day endorsement rule, ISO microchip, rabies timing, and airline rules for Americans moving to France with a dog or cat.

a cat and a dog

How to choose a French phone plan as an American: SIM vs eSIM, prepaid vs contract, proof of address issues, and how to keep your US number active.

Woman holding a smartphone, illustrating how to choose a French phone plan as an American

How to choose a French phone plan as an American: SIM vs eSIM, prepaid vs contract, proof of address issues, and how to keep your US number active.

Woman holding a smartphone, illustrating how to choose a French phone plan as an American

TALK TO A FRENCH VISA INSIDER

The mistake that gets your visa refused? You won't see it coming.

In 30 minutes, Maxime checks your case, maps your dossier in the right order, and flags what gets American files refused. You leave with a written one-page plan.

Trusted by Americans relocating to France

30 min with an expert · written plan in 48h

Get our best guides in your inbox

Join 1,200+ Americans planning their move.