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Capital: Paris The 1999 census quoted the French population as being nearly 60,186,000, of which over 58.5 million live in France itself (including Corsica), while the rest live overseas in the departments of Guadaloupe, French Guyana, Martinique and Reunion. Almost three quarters of the French population inhabit urban areas in the north and east of France, though recent times have seen a shift away from industrial cities towards rural areas. This trend has helped to reverse a decline in the rural population and ties in with measures implemented by some local authorities to regenerate dying villages by linking them to larger towns, thereby improving access to services for local people. Over 15% of the French population is over 65, reflecting the fact that France is still growing in popularity with retirees from other EU countries, especially the UK, Germany and the Netherlands. The number of foreign residents has risen to around 4.3 million (over 7% of the total population) – 1.6 million are from EU countries, mostly Portuguese, Spanish and Italians. Another 1.3 million are North African immigrants, many from France’s former colony Algeria, but also from Morocco and Tunisia. EU immigrants have integrated without difficulty into French society, but acceptance of North African and Arab immigrants is less widespread. Conspicuous by their race, lifestyle and predominantly Muslim religion, this group has been much slower to integrate. Unfortunately, many live in ghettos with large families and very low incomes. Black immigrants, mostly French citizens from the Caribbean colonies, number around 700,000 - they have integrated successfully, most are now well educated and middle class.
France is the only country in Europe that experiences three distinct climates: continental, maritime and Mediterranean. It isn’t easy to generalize about French weather, as many regions and areas of France are influenced by surrounding mountains, forests and other geographical features, and have their own micro- climates. If you’re planning to live in France and don’t know whether the climate in a particular region will suit you, it’s advisable to rent accommodation until you’re absolutely sure, as the extremes of hot and cold in some areas are too much for some people.
The west and northwest (e.g. Brittany and Normandy) have a maritime climate tempered by the Atlantic and the Gulf Stream, with mild winters and warm summers, and most rainfall in spring and autumn. The area around La Rochelle in the west enjoys a pleasant micro-climate and is the second sunniest area of France after the French Riviera. The center and eastern upland areas have an extreme continental climate with freezing winters and sweltering summers.
The higher you go, the colder it gets, therefore if you don’t like cold and snow, don’t live up a mountain. Central and eastern France have the coldest winters and consequently the highest heating bills. One of the most unpleasant aspects of very cold winters is motoring. If you need to commute in winter, bear in mind that road are inevitably treacherous at times and can be frightening if you aren’t used to driving on ice and snow ( fog is also a particular hazard.)
This means different things to different people - everything from stunning scenery, museums, fine art and architecture to café culture, history and its world-famous cuisine and wine-making tradition. France has something for everyone. To give a flavour of France's cultural identity, the following is a brief overview of some of its many charms: - A varied geography: France has mountainous regions like the Alps and Pyrenees, the glamorous coastal areas of southern France (typified by Nice and St Tropez), the metropolitan sophistication of Paris and the gentle tranquillity of Provence. - Art and architecture: art treasures of the Louvre (among them the mysterious smile of the "Mona Lisa"), the great works of Monet/Cezanne/Matisse/Renoir and many others, the Eiffel Tower, Gothic cathedrals like Notre Dame and Chartres, proud Renaissance chateaux in the Loire Valley, the palace at Versailles and modern classics like the Georges Pompidou centre opened in 1977. - Wine and champagne: be it Bordeaux, Burgundy, Cotes du Rhone, Languedoc-Roussillon or the Loire Valley, or the surprisingly quiet Champagne region (featuring the city of Reims). - Food in France: French cuisine is extremely varied, with regional variations according to the produce and tastes of each region. Even so-called "peasant dishes" require much preparation, though the success of French cuisine is due more to the use of fresh locally-produced ingredients than to complicated techniques. The French spend a lot of time discussing and consuming food, hence the continuing popularity of food markets and speciality food shops. French is the official language of France and is spoken by over 160 million people across the globe as their main language. It is also the official language of the Olympics and organisations such as the United Nations (UN) and the International Red Cross. Over 70 regional languages are also spoken within France, the major ones being Alsatian (in Alsace), Basque (the Pyrenees), Breton (Brittany), Catalan (Roussillon), Corsican (Corsica), Gascon (in the south-west) and Occitan (in Languedoc). Some schools may teach in the relevant regional language as well as in French. Local dialects and accents can be difficult for even the most fluent French speakers to comprehend! Fluency in the native language of any country is a tremendous asset, especially if you intend to live there for any length of time. If you are planning to move to France quite a way in the future, you and your family should use the time remaining to brush up on your French language skills. You could buy revision guides, audio tapes and other self-teach learning material, or perhaps take French at evening class. If you have children, you might arrange for them to have extra French lessons through school. All school lessons in France are taught in French, so it is vital for children to learn the language as soon as possible. When your child enrols at a French school, they may be asked to start a year lower, to catch up on reading and writing the language. This can be a blessing in disguise, as it eases children into the system at a pace they find easy and comforting whilst there is great change going on in their lives, adjusting to life in a new country. In some areas, free initiation classes (CLIN) are on offer, which provide intensive tuition for non-French speaking children. These classes may even be compulsory for children starting in secondary education. To help your child, you could buy revision books and work on improving your language skills at the same time as them - this may give them a headstart with learning and also help them to become familiar with the school curriculum. These can be found in bookshops, newsagents and supermarkets, or you can order them online - one publisher of these so-called "Guides Pedagogiques" is Hachette. For anyone moving to France, learning French (or improving your existing fluency) is absolutely vital, both to your success in the workplace and in daily life. A good level of French will help you integrate better and reduce the chances of you returning disappointed to your home country. Some options for learning French are: - Self-study – many books and tapes are available to buy, though it may be both convenient and effective to opt for an online French course. Some have free tutorials and exercises, for example the BBC’s resource at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/french/ and the sites: http://www.languageguide.org/index.jsp and http://www.frenchtutorial.com Many companies offer online courses, for which a fee is payable – these include Linguaphone: http://www.linguaphone.co.uk - Private Tuition – if you learn better at your own pace and on a one-to-one basis, then private lessons with a tutor may suit you. These can be expensive because you pay by the hour (usually 15-35 Euros), so ask friends and neighbours if they can recommend anyone. Alternatively, you could advertise in local papers, supermarkets or even university notice boards. - Language Schools – a great variety are on offer. Again, ask for recommendations from colleagues. Berlitz schools are well-known, see http://www.berlitz.com/default.htm or there is also the Alliance Francaise (AF), a non-profit state-approved organisation with centres in many countries, their site is http://www.alliancefr.org Courses range from basic to “Total Immersion” - intensive programmes, costing up to 3000 Euro for a week’s course, aimed at individuals who need a very good level of French in a limited time. In some places the Centre Culturel may offer free language courses to foreigners, and the unemployed (with a residence permit) can obtain free lessons, as long as they have some basic French. Visit your local government employment office (ANPE) for details. Be positive about learning the language - unless you live in a remote area, you are likely to meet others who have been in your situation. They can offer advice, support and encouragement as you work on improving your French. Statistics give an encouraging picture of the amount of time it takes children to learn a new language. Since they are immersed in the language all day in the school environment, they can become fluent in spoken French in as little as 6-12 months, so adults may be struggling to catch up with them. Bonne chance! The Euro became France’s currency on 1st January 2002. There are 100 cents in a Euro, and coins are available in denominations of 1,2,5,10,20 and 50 cents, plus 1 and 2 Euro. Of these, the 1,2 and 5 cent coins are brass-coloured, whilst the 10,20 and 50 cent are copper in colour. The 1 Euro coin has a brass-coloured rim with a silver-coloured centre, whereas the 2 Euro coin has the opposite. Across Europe, the reverse (or “tail”) of all Euro coins is identical (the side showing the value) but the “head” side has designs specific to a country. French coins show the date of minting, the letters RF for “Republique Francaise” and various traditional designs. Euro banknotes are not country-specific – identical throughout Europe, they carry generic building designs and a map of Europe. Notes are available in 5,10,20,50,100,200 and 500 Euro denominations, and their size corresponds to their value, so the highest value notes are largest. NOTE – “monnaie” is the French word for currency or change (NOT “change”, which means “exchange”). It is worth bringing some cash with you when you first arrive in France, especially smaller value notes, as these are more likely to be accepted for everyday items like newspapers or on public transport. As a general rule, the cost of living in France is about 25% lower than in Britain, though clearly this varies widely between major cities and more remote areas. When calculating what you need to earn or have saved, allow around 17% for social security contributions and enough to cover tax (see Tax Issues below). Bear in mind that taxes in France are among the highest in Europe. Social security costs are high, especially for those who are self-employed. Everyday expenses will be affected by the fact that VAT is payable on food. Living costs in France have risen dramatically over the last 10 years, so think carefully about the minimum you would need to live on when considering job opportunities. If you plan to move to a particular region, it may be worth several visits in advance of moving, during which you can compare the costs of goods and services, in order to gain a more accurate picture. There are various kinds of insurance, which are either essential or at least advisable for anyone moving to France. The following gives a brief overview of these: Health Insurance The most important type of insurance cover for people residing in France, there is a choice of either a full private health plan or "top-up" insurance (known as "complementaire" or "mutuelle"), the latter complements the cover provided by the French state. French residents MUST affiliate to the healthcare system, but even state cover will only meet around 70% of the total cost of treatment. The French system relies on a certain level of personal contribution, which is why so many residents have some kind of "mutuelle" to cover the remaining costs. Non-EU nationals will need to take out full private medical insurance for France, since they are not covered by the E111 form (as EU nationals are for emergencies only). To obtain a long-stay visa, you will need to submit proof of medical cover to the French embassy or consulate in your home country. NOTE - if you are not fluent in French, the medical terminology used in health insurance policies can be extremely confusing. Consider choosing an insurer that offers fluent support in English for the full term of your health insurance plan. You may wish to consult other expats who have been in this situation to see which companies they selected for medical cover.
Arranging suitable life insurance is another important consideration for expatriates. If you apply for a bank loan, then a life insurance policy is often required as security – in such cases the policy can be limited to cover the loan period. Some companies include free life insurance as an employee benefit, but you should check if the level of cover is adequate (sometimes only covers death as the result of an accident). Be aware that, should you die, social security payments to a widow or dependants amount to only 3 months’ salary (maximum 6000 Euro). Many French and foreign insurers sell life policies, but if you want yours to take advantage of, and comply with, French law, then take out cover IN FRANCE. There is a 30-day “cooling off” period with all French life insurance policies, during which you may cancel without being penalised. Insurance premiums vary according to the amount insured, your age and health factors (reduction for non-smokers). Most insurers stipulate a maximum age for those taking out life insurance of between 45 and 60 years.
The most common property insurance package in France, known as "Multirisques Habitation", provides cover to the building structure and also the contents. Clearly this will need to cover you in the event of: theft and vandalism, fire, water damage, storm damage, natural catastrophe, window and mirror damage and third party liability. Be sure to check the small print of any policy you take out for these. Some house insurance policies will also cover: legal assistance, emergency repairs, freezer contents, electrical damage, storm damage to drain pipes and shutters. Additional cover such as this may be recommended to you by some insurers, depending on the age or condition of the property you are buying. NOTE - for your move to France it may be worth checking that the removal company you use is a member of a recognised body like the International Federation of Furniture Removal (FIDI) or the Overseas Moving Network International (OMNI). Such companies should offer both experience and quality of service, and may even have subsidiary companies within France, useful in case the move does not go smoothly or you need to make an insurance claim. Credit If you have an existing credit card before moving to France, it may be well worth retaining, as credit cards do not really exist in France. Some larger retailers offer a store card (carte privative) for use in their shops – these have a defined credit limit, and require monthly payments. Visa and Mastercard are the major credit cards accepted by most large businesses in France but always check before you run up a bill! Basically, all French bank cards are debit cards, where purchases are debited immediately from your account, and they are all known as “blue cards” (cartes bleues). To report lost or stolen credit cards in France call the relevant number from the list below:
American Express – 01 47 77 72 00
If you need to arrange a loan in France it pays to shop around. Interest rates vary considerably depending on the loan amount and repayment term. Ask friends and colleagues for their bank recommendations. All loans will be subject to your credit rating, income and amount of existing debt. A life insurance policy may be required as a condition of the loan. Under French law, it is illegal for any bank to agree a loan where repayments would equate to over 30% of your net income. Healthcare and Medical Treatment This section aims to give general information on access to medical treatment in France - as this may differ based on your country of origin, seek advice from the appropriate agencies to ensure the information you have is current. UK citizens visiting France need to show form E111 (available from any UK post office) to obtain free or reduced-cost emergency treatment. As soon as they have permanent residence, however, the E111 is no longer valid and private health insurance must be taken out. In France, medical treatment can be expensive and most countries will not contribute to the cost of treatment incurred abroad by their citizens. If you are not covered through contributions to the French system or by standard EU Social Security arrangements then you should arrange sufficient private insurance to cover the full cost of any emergency. Even if you are covered under EU Social Security arrangements you should still take out some private insurance (called a Mutuelle in France) to cover the 20-30 per cent contribution normally required by the French Social Security scheme. This element of the treatment cost is your personal responsibility as the patient and will not be refunded. There is some provision for medical expenses in France for people on low income - if you have been living in France for over 3 months, have a valid carte de sejour and proof of income, you may qualify for Universal Health Cover (Couverture Maladie Universelle or CMU). This scheme ensures that the costs of basic medical treatment are met by the Social Security for people on low income or receiving the state benefit RMI (Revenue Minimum d'Insertion). When choosing a doctor or dentist in France, ensure that they are "conventionne" (i.e working with the French sickness insurance scheme) - you can obtain a list of the doctors who charge the official social security rate at your local Caisse de Securite Sociale. Following treatment, apply to your nearest CPAM to get your expenses reimbursed. You can also get refunds on prescriptions issued to you, by taking the detachable labels ("vignettes") off the medicine containers, sticking them on the claim form and taking this along with the prescription to the nearest CPAM. Similarly, if you receive treatment in an approved hospital, at least 80%of the cost will be met by the Caisse de Securite Sociale. You are then liable for the balance and also for the daily fixed charge set by the hospital (known as "forfait journalier"). As nobody knows exactly what the future holds, it may be an idea for expats moving to France to rent a property for some time before committing to buying somewhere. Many people in more urban areas choose to rent accommodation - there is no rush to own a home, to get "on the ladder" and thereby avoid big price rises, as is the case in the UK and a number of other European countries. Renting prestige accommodation in the big cities is extremely popular and those on high incomes are just as likely to rent as buy. In this section we offer tips on what to do and how to go about renting a property in France. To find a place to rent, look in the local and national press ("Le Figaro" is especially useful for Paris property) - recommended in several places is the magazine "De Particulier a Particulier", which contains lots of private accommodation for rent. As a guide, flats are advertised as a number of rooms (called "pieces") - the number quoted is for all rooms minus the kitchen and bathroom. Generally, you have more protection renting a property through estate agents (agents immobiliers) than with private landlords (proprietaires), but check what fee the agent will charge you before agreeing terms. Normally the fee is about half a month's rent. The rent agreement is known as a "bail", and these can vary but the usual is a 3 year one, where the tenant (locataire) can leave at any time, providing they give about 3 months notice. Once you have found a property, you need to provide the following documents: - A residency permit - Proof of current address (utility bill) - Payslips for the last 3 months - your income needs to be at least 3 times the monthly rent
- The "taxe d'habitation" - which is paid according to the size of the property, check how much this will be for your property. - Building upkeep fees known as "charges communes" - these are not always included in the quoted monthly rent so check beforehand. - A bond, in the form of a cheque for 2 or 3 times the rent, known as a "cheque de caution"- this is refunded at the end of the rental period, providing the property is kept in good condition, but there have been a few problems with this in the past. Taking photos of the way the flat looks at the start is a good way to ensure that you get this money back. This is a huge topic, because there are so many factors to consider and such a lot of paperwork to complete. In this section we will look briefly at a few tips to get you started on looking for property to buy in France. - Plan well in advance, consider buying a book on the subject. Highly recommended by a number of sources is "Buying a Home in France" by David Hampshire. Also worth buying is a reference book of house buying and renovating terminology, as these are not the kind of things you learnt in French lessons at school!! Taking a French language course is invaluable, to assist you with understanding what is going on. - See things as they truly are, not as a relaxing short holiday may make them appear. Consider what the winter months will be like in the region you select, especially if you are renovating a property and may therefore be without some amenities for a certain amount of time. - Take time to look around the area - what are the facilities like? When do local shops shut? Where possible, try to become friendly with the locals. - Be honest and direct with your estate agent to avoid misunderstandings. Remember that agents act in the best interests of the vendor, not the buyer. - If you view a few properties, try to rate them on good and bad characteristics, so you can compare them. Collect any questions together on a list and get them answered in a single session. - Buying in France means the transaction will take place in Euros, so you will be buying these with the currency from your home country. Start to study the exchange rate. - Have a mortgage arranged before you start looking for property. If this is a French mortgage, the lender has to ensure you have enough income to keep up repayments so proof will be needed. Be realistic and forget about properties that you cannot afford. - Make your own arrangements for a structural survey - mortgages do not depend on a survey in France. - Having found a property, appoint a "notaire" to act for you. Their fees are fixed and you should inform them of any concerns you have with the sale, so that they can ensure everything is being done legally. - If you choose a French mortgage, then the lender will insist on you taking out French life assurance (policies from other countries are simply not recognised). - Get a French accountant to help you through what can be a minefield of tax issues. - Be aware of French probate law, as it may vary widely from that of your home country. Heirs and blood relatives are favoured over spouses, so consider setting up complementary wills in both countries. The French state education system is extremely highly regarded, both at home and also at an international level. To give a brief overview of the system, it is divided into Nursery schools (Ecole Maternelle), Primary schools (Ecole Primaire) and Secondary schools, starting with College (College) until age 15. At this point, the next step depends on a child's exam results. Top students go to High school (Lycee) to study for the Baccalaureat qualification, others attend Vocational College. Most children in France continue in education beyond age 16. Queries about local schools should be directed to your local town hall (Mairie). School uniform is not worn in French state schools, so this may seem to represent a saving for expat families, but be aware that parents DO need to buy items like stationery, school bags and (for certain schools) sports equipment. At Lycee level you will be required to buy textbooks as well, although grants are available for those on low income. As well as state schools, there are also private ones, among them the International schools some expats favour for their children - these offer a bi-lingual education and tend to charge high tuition fees. If you want your child to attend an International school, look for them in your yellow pages or contact ELSA France, a non-profit making association made up of schools offering advanced study in English. The association can be contacted on telephone (0033) 01 45 34 04 11 School Enrolment - contact your local Mairie to begin your child's enrolment. If you need information whilst you are still abroad, write to the "Inspecteur d'Academie" of the area ("departemente") you will be living in. To begin the process of registration (known as "l'inscription") you will need to produce the following documentation: - The child's birth certificate or passport - Proof of residence (for example, a utility bill in your name) - Evidence of insurance - this "Assurance scolaire" is school insurance, which is compulsory to cover a child for optional activities at school (like school trips, walks etc). Parents will need to arrange appropriate cover for this. - Proof of immunisation - bring your child's health records. You will need to prove they have been immunised against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio. Children arriving from overseas will also need the tuberculosis vaccination (BCG), which they may not already have had. This vaccination takes 2 visits to complete at the doctor's so allow enough time to arrange this before school term starts. Once you have completed registration at your local Mairie, you will be given a form to take to school on your child's first day. There will also be consent forms from the school to complete, asking for your contact details in case of emergency. When starting to drive in a new country, it is important to take care, especially if driving practice differs from that in your native country - the French drive on the right, so be aware if you are used to driving on the left. Your existing driving licence may be fine for use in France, so check this with your local "Prefecture" - for example, British Nationals who take up residence in France for over a year no longer need to exchange their UK driving licence for a French one. If you prefer to obtain a French licence, you will need to return your UK licence to the DVLA once your new licence has been issued. If you take your own car over to France with you and stay for more than 6 months, you must change the registration of your car. Only a resident can apply for this, again you need to go to your local "Prefecture" and they will advise which documentation you need to provide. NOTE - if the vehicle is registered in the UK you will need an expat certificate from the DVLA. Further enquiries relating to driving in France should be directed to the "Ministere des Transports" at the following address:
Arche de la Defense Telephone: 00 33 14081 82 48 (or 82 12 or 81 87)
Most foreign driving licences will be valid for use in France for at least a year, or you can obtain an International Driver's Permit (IDP) from whichever country issued your original licence. An EU directive now grants mutual recognition of licences between EU member states, so EU citizens need not exchange their existing licences when moving from one member country to another. NOTE :- The only exception is where residents holding a foreign licence are convicted of motoring offences in France – these individuals must exchange their licence for a French one so that the penalty can be applied. France has reciprocal agreements with some non-EU countries and certain US states (check locally) to waive the driving test normally required to obtain a French licence, but those applying must still sit a written exam (rules of the road, road sign familiarity, etc.) Obtaining a French licence may take up to two months so apply early to your local “prefecture”. Take with you your existing licence (translated), proof of address, carte de sejour (if applicable), two passport-sized photographs and the fee (about Euro 25) in the form of stamps (timbre fiscal) – buy these from tobacconists. French licences are pink and contain a photo. Fuel prices have seen a tremendous rise in recent times, but there is still quite a difference in costs depending on the area and the petrol station. The cheapest places are normally supermarkets, and the most expensive those in outlying areas (where there is little choice). Rough cost per litre is 1 Euro with diesel slightly cheaper than unleaded. |
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