The Land of The Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysées,

Versailles & The Notre Dame Cathedral

Information on Relocating to France

• The capital city of France is Paris with about 2.2 million people. The political centre is in Paris where the President resides. France is a Republic.

• Language: The language spoken is French. The TV programs are in French however once in a while there will be an original version that will be subtitled. There are 6 channels plus cable and satellite programs available.

• Population: The population is about 61 million people - Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, Basque minorities.

• Expat areas: Popular areas for the Expat community are Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Paris, and Strasbourg.

• Housing: There is quite good availability of properties outside the city centre. The availability of houses in the city centre is more difficult but not impossible. Most Expats rent their apartments; some buy theirs. Both options are available and will be looked at with you, but mainly depend on your company policy, income, and the length of your stay.

• Cost of housing: Prices in the city of Paris differ significantly from area to area and are affected by such criteria as proximity to international schools and metro, and the view, particularly of the river Seine, etc. Generally, a price differential of 10% - 15% will apply for furnished accommodation. In Paris small expatriate apartments start at Euro 800 and the rent goes up to more than Euro 5000 for large apartments in the centre of the city.

• Schools: We have the American, British, and International schools and of course  all the local school systems available. Depending on the age and location we can tell you about waiting lists, etc.

• Transportation: The public transport is excellent. There are comprehensive bus systems in all the larger towns. There are also tramways, trolleybuses and an underground in Marseille; trolleybuses, an underground and a funicular in Lyon; and automated driverless trains in Lille, where there is also a tramway. There are tramway services in St Etienne and Nantes and trolleybuses in Grenoble, Limoges and Nancy. The systems are easy to use, with pre-purchase tickets and passes. Good publicity material and maps are usually available.

• Banking: Banks are generally open on Monday-Friday 9.00 am - 12.00 and 2.00 pm - 4.30 pm. Some banks close Monday and some are open Saturday. Banks close early (12.00) on the day before a bank holiday; in rare cases, they may also close for all or part of the day after. Some banks in Paris are open Monday-Friday 10.00 am - 5.00 pm.

• Shopping: Department stores are open Monday-Saturday 9.00 am - 6.30 pm. Some shops are closed between 12.00 noon - 2.30 pm. Food shops are open 7.00 am - 6.30/7.30 pm. Some food shops (particularly bakers) are open Sunday mornings, in which case they will probably close Monday. Many shops close all day or Monday afternoon. Hypermarkets are normally open until 9.00 pm or  10.00 pm.

• Climate: France generally has cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistral. The temperatures vary from area to area with a low of about -6°C (20°F) to 35°C (95°F).

• Culture: You can find anything here: concerts both classical and modern, theatre, cinema, cabaret, museums like the famous Musée du Louvre and Musée d'Orsay, galleries, vineyards, mountains, castles, etc.

• Public holidays: January 1st-New Year's Day; Easter Sunday & Monday-(dates vary); May 1st-Labor Day; May 8th-Victory Day; Ascension day-(40 days after Easter); Whit Sunday-(date vary); July 14th-Bastille Day; August 15th-Assumption Day; November 1st-All Saints Day; November 11th-Armistice Day; December 25th-Christmas Day.