Life in France 101

For most of us, France means Paris. So I am going to start with listing the do's and don'ts about Paris.

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Everyone has fantasized about packing their bags and heading off to the city of their dreams at some point or the other... few get the opportunity to do so, for few the opportunity comes a-knocking. Either way, moving away is a part of growing up, it is an inevitable stepping stone to coming to terms with your own different layers, wrapped in the discovery of a new place.

And somehow, Paris, the city of lights and love, fuels everyone's fantasies.

So, what's it like to really live there?

A few things to know before you go...

Living in Paris

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If you do manage to get into school in Paris, look for housing within Paris, or what is known as Paris intra-muros, which when translated is literally living inside the walls of Paris and not the suburbs or suburban cities around Paris.

However, let's not forget that living Paris intra-muros has its pros and cons, albeit. Let's start with the cons, shall we ?

#1. Rent... c'est ouf, quoi ?!

Yes, I know, rent while living in Paris is crazy. But that is because sourcing housing in Paris is really competitive.

Apartments or studios or even colocations are most often smaller than what they look like in pictures or on the websites. But why should that get in the way of finding housing in an area that reeks of romance and old-world like charm ?

I would certainly recommend that you do your research well, and not fall prey to any scams. (More on that in another article that I will link shortly here.)

#2. Cost of living... ça coute les yeux de la tête, bof !

Rightly so... Paris ranks among France's priciest cities, but compared to other major global cities like New York or London, the costs might be comparable or slightly lower. This is also because France imports most of its fresh produce and other goods, making the mark-up on things higher, so you could live in a smaller city outside of Paris, and the cost will only reduce marginally. Then why not get the best of both worlds ?

#3. Safety... ça en vaut la peine !

And finally yes, all that we have heard about Paris not being the safest city to be in with regard to safety be it as a tourist or a local, I kid you not, it is completely and totally worth it.

#4. Language... mais oui, je parle français.

Speaking the language of the country that you are planning on calling home for the next 2-3 years (maybe more) only seems like common sense (in my opinion). So if you ask, will language be a barrier, yes and no. People in the larger cities may converse with you in English, with the aim to ensure that they speed up their process, however, in smaller towns you may end up having a different experience. But having said that, it seems fairly elitist to me to assume that everyone speaks the same language as you, everywhere you go. Learning the language is therefore a necessary investment of both time and energy in order to make the most of your time in France.

If you have not been able to learn the language before heading off to Paris, or well any other place in France, you will find this article quite useful.

Now that we have the main villains out of the picture, let us focus on the pros !

#1. Ease of Access

The city is a treat to walk around. Cobbled streets, Haussmannian Buildings that exude a romanticized charm, breezy boulevards, hidden alleyways, every turn you make, you are bound to stumble upon a different version of Paris. But that aside, the city of Paris is very well-connected, be it public transport or to the other cities in and around Europe. It is indeed your one-true getaway !

You will find it easiest to plan trips, (long) weekend getaways, holidays, reunions thanks to the connectivity that the city of Paris has to offer.

A little more locally, the city's spider's web of metro, bus and tram lines, allow you to be in the centre of Paris in very little time, and you are always only a few minutes' walk from a Metro station, café or monument. (more in #3)

#2. Culture

Paris is synonymous with culture. Some might even say that culture is nothing, had the city of Paris not blossomed. The city of Paris has a generous outlay of museums, architecture, history and even music thanks to its dense and dynamic cultural history.

The city is divided in 20 arrondissements (or neighbourhoods) that are laid out in a spiral pattern starting from the center of the city. Each arrondissement has its own character and exudes its own charm and vibes. It's up to you to discover them all!

The city of Paris also houses some of the best museums of the world. Go to Paris to meet the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo or the Nike of Samothrace at the Louvre Museum, which requires 3 days or months at times to have every inch of it covered. I do recommend that you get charmed by the Musée d'Orsay, a former train station, boasting some of the most important impressionist work in the world. My personal favourite after the Musée d'Orsay is the Centre Pompidou. An eye-sore for most, this futuristic building is a cultural centre and a creative space unlike any other. If museums, are not your primary access to culture, I suggest you visit this museum at least once before you begin exploring the other museums.

Apart from museums, food, cinéma, theater and music also form an integral part of the Parisian cultural experience. Paris is without a doubt home to some of the top orchestras, operas and ballet companies with regular live performances in the Philarmonie de Paris. Paris also offers a diverse range of musical experiences, notably that of jazz, rock and so on.

If theater is your thing, you will find plenty of ideas here.​

#3. Getting around and transport

As I mentioned earlier, Paris has a very well-connected metro and local public transport system. With the Paris Metro (RATP), RER, Tramway and well taxis if you must, getting around the city is a piece of cake. The Paris Metro has 16 interconnected lines that allow you to get from one end to the other without much ado.

With over 60 bus routes, the next best option to facilitate your intra-city travel is taking the bus. While the metro is definitely the faster way to get around, the bus offers a leisurely commute while you get to gawk at the top attractions of the city. Paris also has about 40 night bus routes, known as Noctilien, that run from 12.30 am until 7 am.

The RER is the regional train transport system that complements the Paris metro. The RER combined with the metro by RATP offers you a larger transport network in and around Paris. The RER also connects the city centre with the airport (CDG), Disneyland and of course, Versailles.

Learn more about the extensive public transport system here.

#4. Cuisine...

Over the years, French cuisine continues to rule with its flavourful amalgamation of history, tradition, culture and sophisticated cooking techniques. Dishes such as Coq au Vin, Quiche Lorraine, Bœuf Bourguignon, Escargots de Bourgogne and the simple Ratatouille have put French Food on the global map. Now, these dishes may not be for everyone, but it is only obvious that now that you have made France your home for the next few years you explore all these dishes, either by savouring them or by learning to cook them.

We shall explore French food by region in another article, that will be linked here shortly.

P.S. No, fries are NOT French !

#5. Lifestyle

France is a country that relishes taking its time. Meals are often leisurely affairs, and it is common to spend hours chatting at a café.

The French are a laid-back lot, and that should only teach you the importance of taking things slow and savouring every moment. While you are in France, surrounded by beauty and culture, why not make it into a lesson for self-indulgence ?

#6. Fashion

Yes, France does boast of a fashion sense and style that is so unique with a certain "je ne sais quoi" that makes it really hard to describe. It is classic and yet effortlessly chic. French fashion is obviously a way of living.

France is also home to some of the most well known luxury fashion brands : Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Chanel, Balenciaga, Dior, Céline, Balmain, Yves Saint Laurent, Sonia Rykiel, Givenchy and many more. (Let me know in the comments you would like to read more about French Fashion or if you would like to learn how to make an impression through a short course on French Fashion.)

Let me know in the comments what you would like me to focus on next, and I shall dish that up with as much detail as possible !