10 Things You Need to Know BEFORE Going to FRANCE
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- Опубликовано: 25 июн 2024
- Ten Things You Need to Know BEFORE Going to France | Whether you are moving to France or simply visiting France for an extended period of time, these tips will help you to be better prepared for what you will encounter in France. Some of these tips we already knew before we moved to France and some we didn't know and wish we did.
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Follow our journey moving from the USA to France. We share our experience relocating to France and what we're learning along the way,
Subscribe to this channel by clicking this link👉 bit.ly/KTfrance
It is very difficult to build elevators in some buildings. It is the same way in Italy. Unless you have an injury to your knees or hips, climbing steps everyday really makes the body stronger. The first 14 years I lived here, I climbed stairs and was very healthy. Now, I have a knee injury, so I had to live a house on the ground floor until I was able to find an available flat to buy with an elevator on the top floor. The healthcare system is excellent and such a relief and even with the payments, are not the burden they are in the US. Your healthcare plan is not connected to your job here and makes all the difference. People do not lose their home because of high medical bills. Italy is number 5 in the world, France, number 1 for quality and accessibility. The US comes in 37 behind all other developed nations.
Thank you for this expanded and very helpful information. It so nice to get more confirmation abou the wonderful healthcare in France.
That blouse is beautiful on you, KJ !
Thank you ❤️
I would respectfully add: The French have a long lunch, more than an hour and, never at their desks. For this reason, their work day ends later and, they dine later than we do in the US. Any hours over 35 per week, are paid as overtime. This is one of the reasons there are protests now about making the retirement age older. It isn't only because of the age change, the law was not put to the people-it came directly from a legislative motion by Macron. The French are afraid that this is only the beginning of an erosion of life as they know it. Their protests are something to be admired. In the 80s, when the government threatened to cut subsidies to farmers, sheep were set free in the streets of Paris in protest.
Again, thank you. We admire the protests, especially if they are peaceful. I do believe that even with the longer working hours, that the French have a better appreciation and commitment to self-care.
@@kjandtonylovefrance Yes! Self care.
I also think it's fun' learning to speak a different language! 🥖☕ Even a bit here & there! 💗
We are really enjoying our lessons.
@@kjandtonylovefrance Very hard learning a language once you get past age 40.I took four years of high school french and received very good grades but did not continue to practice it after I left school. Of course I forgot basically everything, grammar, verb conjugations etc; When I retired at age 56, I decided to go back to it and after ten years of intensive study can honestly say I still only understand about half of what’s being said. Oral comprehension is probably the most difficult part of french. They slur a lot and there are a ton of liasions. The fact that you will have a daily immersive experience once you move back should make it somewhat easier.
Thanks for the great videos. Just to add a note about Paris apartments, it took me about 2 months to find an apartment I liked in Paris but I was picky. In my case, I used a company called GarantMe to get a place in the 14th arrondisement, with rent over 2100€ per month for a 2BR. I sent them all my financial docs and they guaranteed my financial solvency to my landlord. The "guarant" gets added to the apartment lease and is basically an insurance policy. The reason for all of this is that evicting a non-paying tenant out of an apartment is a long process so landlords want tenants to ideally be salaried, working in a French company and to have a French bank account, both of which I don't have.
We also used GarantMe when we were looking for an apartment in Paris. We found one and were just about to sign the lease when I (KJ) got sick and decided to return to the US. Thanks for sharing, since we haven't mentioned this in any of our videos.
KJ and Tony, I’ve commented on your channel before. For some reason, I’m so drawn to the both of u. I’m so happy that you’ve taken the time to get to know French people. I’m French, living in San Diego, and my husband (American) and I are going back to France in about 3 years. J’espère vous rencontrer à Paris.
Merci, beaucoup. I'm so glad you are enjoying the channel. You must be excited to go back to Francd. Although San Diego is quite a beautiful area.
Incredible piano in the train stations
Yes! We loved it ❤️
Brave people are the most Inspirational 👏
🫂
A quick comment about #9 separation of church and state -some of their national holidays are old religious holidays (Assomption Aug. 15, Pentecost and Ascension in May), etc. Congratulations on your very helpful and nice blog!
Thank you, David.
A healthcare tip: Sign up with Doctolib. If you need to make a doctor's appointment in a hurry it will help you find a GP in your area, often on the same or next day. Data from lab tests and doctor's appointments in general are often shared here. (not all physicians use Doctolib, though it is very widely used)
Thank you, John!
You have it a few more things to do for long term residency, after you have your physical for your residency card, doesn’t mean you have a permanent residency. You still have to get your visa every year or 10 years depending on what they give you and then you have to apply for a social Security card, that’s what allows you up to have health care in France. It can be a long slow process and always make sure you keep duplicate records because they might lose them and ask you again for them. You also will need to speak at an A level speaking in French for permanent residence.
Thanks, Cookie!
Love your blouse and beautiful red nails, looking very "french"!
Thank you ❤️
I have a degree in French literature and speak well enough. I know all of the protocols , but that doesn’t mean anyone is going to be nice to me. I just got back from a two week trip to France. They get a D- in customer service and an A+ in making life more difficult . I see so many videos on how I should act as an American. I’m extremely gracious . I say Bonjour. I’m not loud . I do all of it because I’m familiar with the culture , but one thing I could not do is move there and adjust to a constant complaining and frowning society . Many love throwing shade. You know, the egocentric ones. That’s universal . If I throw shade back , that’s suppose to earn respect. I don’t want to do that. I’m too old for that 😂 and to adjust to another culture. I like smiling and I like having a positive attitude . I like being nice and not being an asshole.
I will continue to visit France on vacations , but as soon as I get home, it makes me more and more grateful to live where I do. Where I live, smiling at strangers doesn’t mean I’m suspicious or I’m about to pickpocket you. It’s just a positive way of acknowledging your presence without saying hello. I will smile at people until I die because i Want to . I will never do it in France! 🤣 . Kudos to you for being able to tolerate the paperwork and constant hoops you must jump through to make a life there. I would be exhausted .I’m already trying to preserve what’s left of my ever dwindling youth. The stress you are encountering would age the crap out of me.
I'm moving to France next month starting in Paris. In researching ways to meet people and integrate into the culture, I learned that Paris' beautiful public parks/gardens have volunteer programs. I'll be looking into this more after I get settled. Thanks for all your helpful videos!
Congratulations, Donna. So excited for you!! Volunteering at the public parks sounds like a great way to meet people. Please keep us posted on your move. We would love to hear all about it!
Street and metro performers - buskers - need a license to perform publicly in France and have their "spot" ! It's a profession unto itself. You apply to the government, perform for a board, and get licensed! The only people "fighting" for turf are the unlicensed buskers. Next time, look for their licenses. They're supposed to be displayed at all times.
Thanks, Thomas.
Great tips! The right of protest is written into the French Constitution, and they certainly hold fiercely to that right!
Although French healthcare is universal, it isn't totally free. You are reimbursed 70% of medical fees, with the exception of some major illnesses such as cancer and diabetes which are covered at 100% Therefore, most French purchase top-up insurance from a "mutuelle" to cover what the government doesn't pay. Also some physicians have opted out of the universal system, and if you consult them they charge much higher fees. This tends to be true for super-specialists. Essentially, there is a two-tiered system like in the UK and other European countries. For example my GP charges the standard 25 euros/office visit and I'm reimbursed 17. The gastroenterologist charges the standard specialist fee of 60 euros, but the ophthalmologist retina specialist has opted out and charges 90. Your choice if you want a doctor who is "conventionné sans dépassement d'honoraires," or someone in the private system. Hope this clarification helps.
Very helpful! Thank you, Jolie.
Merci d'aimer la France, welcome to you soon you are so nice
Merci, beaucoup to you, Michele!
The physical exam is required as part of the visa - it has nothing to do with French healthcare insurance. It is essentially to make sure you are healthy and to provide assistance if you are not. There is no "pass/fail." Also, as someone else noted, if you are not employed in France, you will have to pay into the social security system based on your income. To get a longterm visitor visa, you will need to pre-purchase private emergency health and repatriation insurance in advance. Doctors, labs, tests and medicines and typically much less expensive in France, even if you pay out of pocket. Once you apply to be in the French medical system, it can take several months to years (based on reports from fellow expats) to get your Carte Vitale.
Thanks, Gayle.
*"Also, as someone else noted, if you are not employed in France, you will have to pay into the social security system based on your income"* Health insurance being 'universal' means that it is available and free of charge. For everyone. If you have foreign income, you'll have to pay taxes but that's a different story. You need to have been a legal resident in France for at least three months to be eligible. Other than that, a French bank account is the only requirement. I had this information confirmed by the French health insurance (CPAM/Sécurité Sociale) when I inquired about the cost of health insurance for a friend of mine (retired) who is thinking about moving to France.
Most statements are true, but there is always a misunderstanding of European "Universal healthcare" with Americans. It is not free, you have to pay premiums calculated on the basic annual net cash income of one of the family members. The other family members are then also insured free. For the co-pays you subscribe to a so called "Mutuelle".
Thank you, Gunter.
The Dossier of documents needed to obtain a Parisian rental apartment is complicated - some landlords accept a guarantee from an organization rather than a French national. The yes or no, is at the discretion of the owner, so it sometimes takes a long time to find a place to rent and live.
Yes, true. And we did have to wait for several days to find out if the landlord would accept our offer to pay the rent in advance rather than have to provide the long list of documentation that was being requested by the rental agency.
Great video! Thank you both!
You're welcoem, Gillian.
So sorry that my comment was repeated so many times! It was erased multiple times on my end, so I eventually gave up and posted my comment/question on one of your other videos. Thanks for your response. 🙂
No problem, Margo. Tony and I figured there was some sort of computer glitch...lol
You could have gotten around a lot of renting difficulties through "Garantme". They provide this service. A lot of foreigners use them. Not expensive.
We actually did use Garantme.
K J & Tony Thank you so much ! I live in a city where there are alot of french sppeaking people ! My husband speaks French & Italian & that has helped us both so much! Thank you for all the helpful information ! It is much appreciated !
You're welcome. So glad you enjoyed!
FYI: Un Peu is pronounced and usually said, Un petit per. Your video was very good. Actually here now. I have been many times, but I have to say it has gotten a lot harder, the travel experience itself from flying to arriving in the city and just getting around. The metro has gotten crazy. I guess my age has really affected my ability to live this very fast life.
I do live in Los Angeles so I am use to a pretty hectic life. I am here visiting my nephew who is studying here for a semester. This could be the last trip to Paris and it’s sad as the city is very magical.
So excited to hear you are there right now, Debi! How exciting. I hope you are enjoying your time with your nephew. Glad you enjoyed the video.
KJ and Tony, Still welcome your honest thoughts and courage in your other channel. Your voices are very important to us. Thanks From Jan J.
Thank you, Jan 🥰
You are going to love Nice...One of my favorite cities and my husband was born there! I lived in Aix en Provence for 4 years and Bordeaux for 10...Don't forget those! So much to discover in France. My first weekend away with my husband was to 3 countries...Villefranche-sur-mer, Nice France, Monaco and San Raphael Italy! It was awesome so try it!!!
Excuse me...Not San Raphael(it's in France)...San Remo, Italy!!😜
Sounds wonderful! I can't wait to go!!
Happy Monday, KJ/T! Excellent, informative video. Are you going to Paris or Nice first? Thought you were going south immediately? The weather will be sweet in either city soon. Hi from Wisconsin 🍺 😊
Hi Carol - We're going to Nice in June and Paris in October.
Street demonstrations seem to be a part of everyday French life. As you say "No big deal." Protests in the form of strikes are more disruptive and more likely to affect both residents and tourists - eg certain streets closed off due to garbage accumulating, transportation, medical services etc.
True. There were a couple of times when monuments we planned to visit were closed due to strikes.
KJ and Tony - thank you for all of your vlogs about preparing for, and living, the moving experience. This would have been so helpful to my DH and me when we were seriously thinking about the move (late 2020). At that time we did not see any vlogs like this on RUclips and it is a real public service. We moved to the Dordogne in December 2021 and love it even though there have been, and will be, many ups and downs. I certainly miss the weather in Clearwater where we lived before we left the US. All the best to you both.
Hi Candace. I'm so glad you find the videos to be beneficial. Congratulations on your move to the Dordogne. We are not familiar with that area and I'm curious as to what made you choose Dordogne? I think that no matter how beautiful it is where one moves to that there will always be a certain level of homesickness for most.
@@kjandtonylovefrance Hi guys, we chose this area because of the beauty of the countryside, the overall temperate nature of the climate (although the 2 winters we have been here have been colder than I expected and the locals have said it is so), the medieval nature of the architecture and the history in which the area is steeped from pre-roman to roman to gallic and on through the middle ages. An amazing place to live. I miss the Florida weather and the pleasant neighborhood we lived in but I have a difficult time imagining going back to the ´modern’ world, lol. Bon courage à vous !
Always enjoy watching you both. Would you be willing to share more information about the insurance company you chose? Thank you.
It was the one recommended by the VISA office. Called Mutuelle.
Just off the top from a French American living already 21 years in France, do not join expats groups, join French group and mingle in the adjustment will be super . No comparison to me as I was French before coming to live here.
Thank you so much for the tip!
Very informative and fun video. You are missing some beautiful weather here and I and thousands of others had to dive for cover in Luxembourg Gardens this afternoon when a most bodacious thunderstorm passed over and blessed us all with lightning ⚡️ and a torrential downpour. All part of the thrills of living in Paris. Au revoir .. -Daniel (Paris)
Hi Daniel! So excited for you that you are in Paris!! We can't wait to go back. We both miss it so much. Luxembourg Gardens is the best. I'm sure you'll enjoy every minute ❤️
I’ve been to France 3 times and have always found the French to be helpful and welcoming with only a few exceptions. I love Paris but would not live in the city even though there is so much to do and see. I have family in the Marseille area and have thought about a long stay somewhere in between.
We have been to Marseille a few times and really enjoyed it.
France has a lot of great places to live but Marseille is not one of them. Too much violence and crime. There are no major cities in France where there is such a concentration of poverty and unemployment. Five 'arrondisements' of Marseille have poverty rates of above 40 percent. I know you said "somewhere in-between", and that is what you should do.
Accurate, detailed, timely. Excellent links to more info. I'm not a fan of this couple, so..the rating of this episode is fact-based. Recommend highly.
Thank you 😊
The street performers in France sounds street performers you find in New York City.
It is really time consuming and difficult to get a license to busk in France. And Spain is even worse. I have spent hours in municipal offices, applying and waiting and getting nowhere as it wasn’t my primary source of income and I didn’t have a designated spot. So I have up as I was just a tourist.
We've heard this from others. Sorry it didn't work out for you. What do you do/play?
@@kjandtonylovefrance I am a violinist. Studied in Lyon from South Africa. I’m a happy Texan now and took my students to France and Spain on two different concert tours. Hence us trying to get busking licenses. We eventually broke the law in both France and Spain and just played until the police came. It was fun!
Hi, Thanks for your very informative content. Just curious, after the novelty wears off how hard an adjustment is it to make living in a french world? Where everything around you is french, TV, news, cultural differences, sports, language, etc;
Looking forward to finding out!
Hi KJ and Tony,
I was going to ask if you were going to rent through someone like Adrian Leeds. All great tips. I was in Paris last month and fell in love with Paris and the people. I had been an Anglophile for years! I just want to say how pretty you look today KJ. ❤
Hi Tina - Yes, we will most likely go through Adrian to secure a place when we are ready to move full-time. She is really kind and helpful. Paris is the best. We already know Paris is where we want to be but Tony thinks I'm going to really like Nice as well. We'll see. Thank you for the kind compliment too. I hope you're having a wonderful day ❤️
Thank you. I was wondering if you used your American health insurance or if you bought the "gap" insurance in France. Debby in Kansas
We did not have to use it while we were there, but purchsed a one year health insurance policy that is required for the long-stay visa. You can't use your US insurance in France.
I for some reason thought you were looking to purchase an apartment once you decided where you want to live. We want to buy a unit when we make our move in under two years from now.
We don't want to buy until we are sure where we want to be.
I love your videos and follow your journey in France. Please what is the name of the plant behind you.? I’m making some changes in my Family Room and love your plant. Thank you !
Hi there - I'm gad you are enjoying the videos. I'm not really sure about the plant but I think it's a type of Banana Leaf plant.
Thank you 🌹
What part of Paris was the apartment you were going to rent? What area did you decide on?
It was in the 5th arromdissement.
I am not one to get physical exams as I rely on natural remedies to stay healthy. If I refuse the normal screenings for women, do you know if that will that disqualify me from obtaining health insurance in France? Thanks in advance! 🙂
You are both very charmants,
Thank you, Paula 🥰
Strikes can interfere with services such as transportation, etc. Visitors and residents alike might need a Plan B. They can happen at any time, but it might be possible to research the seasons when certain types of strikes are more common. Can you also comment about labor unions (which go hand and hand with strikes/protests). Unions are not as strong in the U.S. as in France, so that could be a culture shock to some.
Thanks, Bette. We had not heard much about labor unions and will have to look into it.
Thanks, John!
Very useful advice. My question is if you are staying long term in Airbnb do you qualify for health ins. I am a dual citizen. Italy and US
That's what we used. We submitted our receipt from our AirBnB.
Joan, if you're italian, you're a EU citizen, so you can move to any EU country and stay as long as you want.
Good morning. When you applied for your first long stay visa, did you have to provide original birth/marriage/divorce certificates or just copies of the aforementioned? Thanks in advance.
No, we just needed to provide copies.
I am not one to get physicals or health screenings for women as I prefer to rely on natural treatments and food as medicine. With that in mind, do you know if refusing to have health screening tests might disqualify me from obtaining health insurance in France? Thanks in advance!
I have lived in France on a long stay visa (renewable) since December 2021. One is eligible to apply to participate in the French healthcare system after living in the country for three months. There is no medical exam required to apply for a carte vitale but there is a lot of paperwork to submit, mostly intended to make sure that you actually reside in France and have adequate financial resources. I believe the medical exam Tony is referencing is the appointment that is a requirement of your visa (at least that’s what it was for me) which involved completing medical history questionnaires, an eye exam, and an interview with a physician.
@@candaceclark4427 Thank you so much for that information, Candace.
How can any American eat at 5 pm….you would have to finish work at 3:30 to give you enough time to commute home, shop, cook, etc. Sounds like the 50’s lol.
There are plenty of people who are retired and eat early. I would say it's more common to eat between 6 and 7, rather than 7 or later.
I’m referring to working people.
Do you possibly run into a tax issue if you pay more than 10000.00 in rent for the year?
I'm sorry Justin. I have no idea what the tax implications would be.
"Protests in France are usually peacful." Well, it all depends. Every time there are protests, they are accompanied by rioters who couldn't care less what the protests are all about. All they are interested in are violent activites and destruction. Tourists or bystanders don't usually become targets but if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time, you could end up getting hurt.
Thank you for this important caution ⚠️
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You are pronouncing “Un peu” wrong…it’s not “on poo”, you will be corrected in France when you say things. I get corrected all the time. I have been living in France for 3.5 years. French is not an easy language but the French will appreciate that you are tying. It’s too bad that we didn’t get a chance to meet, when you were here.
The reason they eat later is because of a few reasons, one is in the summer, it’s hotter and No AC. Apéro time is a big thing in France, usually happens in the early evening around 6 to 9 pm before dinner. The idea is to stimulate the appetite, but not ruin dinner. There’s no time limit either. 😊
Protesting is a life here and you will always know when and where, because they have to get a permit in order to have it….the reason why they protest is because they don’t get to vote on policies.
So, will the two of you try again?
Hi Cookie! Yes, we will try again. Right now we have a home base here in FL for the next year while we travel back and forth to determine where we want to spend our first year living in France. I think, from what we've learned at this point, that it will be better to commit to one location for an entire year and begin to establish some roots. Hopefully we'll get to meet sometime in the not too distant future.
The one thing I need to know before going to France is to not go to France. 😂
🤣
Merci KJ & Tony!🌉 Wow sounds much more involved to open a bank account- Sorry you paid a years' rent & had to leave. KJ Happy Mother's Day soon- 🌷🌷
Thank you, Sibylle. We did not pay the year's rent. We had gone to see the apartment and were making plans with the realtor to secure the apartment, but I got sick and left before we confirmed and paid. That would have been horrible if we paid and left. We would be there now if that were the case...lol
@@kjandtonylovefrance No kidding! A year would involve some money.
@@kjandtonylovefrance Aww great to know you did not pay a full year. I may have missed a video where you shared that info..Stay well- 😊🌷🍀☀️🦋
Bonjour Vous Deux! Merci beaucoup pour l’information et kJ vous êtes belle, reposée aujourd’hui. Amour oui…
I am not one to get health screenings for women as I prefer to rely on natural remedies and food as medicine. With that in mind, do you know if refusing to have a health screening might disqualify me from obtaining health insurance in France? Thanks in advance!
Margo, I’m currently going through the process of qualifying for health insurance here in France, and the only health screening I’ve encountered was a simple chest X-ray and a few basic questions. I can’t say for sure, but I would guess that refusing to do that would be a problem. I hope everything works out for you!
@@sheilac9759 Thank you so much, Sheila. The only health screenings that I would have a problem with are the more invasive ones for women. No problem with a chest x-ray or blood work. I have heard that a complete physical exam is required as part of the visa appointment here in the U.S. That is the part that is causing me anxiety. All the best to you as well!