September is here and it’s the rentrée!
As the French return from their long summer vacations and businesses gear back up, it’s a time for fresh starts and new beginnings.
If you’ve just made your way to France and are getting ready for the upcoming academic year, it’s the perfect ambiance to start your new life here in France.
But as exciting as moving to France may be, I know exactly how nerve-racking it can get.
From navigating bureaucracy and social norms to actually getting down to your academic pursuits, it’s a challenge - to say the least!
But fear not!
I’ve been where you are now.
Here are a few tips to help ease into your first month, as well as to plant the seeds that will help you navigate life better in the long run!
On y va? (Let’s go, as the French would say)
Essential Preparations
Let’s get you settled in without breaking the bank, shall we?
Tip #1: How to Get A French Number + Annual Plan for Cheap
First things first.
Before you can do anything in France, you are going to need a French number.
And this is a great time of the year to do so! The rentrée brings a plethora of amazing deals for newcomers!
The smartest way to go about it?
Get yourself any French number for cheap and then port your SIM to a different provider!
This is simply because some of the best deals are offered by telecom companies for porting your number to their service.
You can get unlimited calls across Europe as well as a massive amount of 5G data for as little as 10 to 12 euros a month. That means you don’t need an additional WiFi connection!
But if you have a Wi-Fi connection already (at your student residence, for instance) just get yourself a basic service for 3-6 euros for calls!
Tip #2: How to Set Up Your Home on a Budget
After a long day at uni, you know there is nothing like having a cosy place you can call home.
You don’t need a massive budget to give yourself a home you deserve.
Thrift stores are your friend!
Known as friperies in France, you can just do a quick Google search to find the closest thrift store near you.
There are also some known chains across France such as Emmaus, Mad Vintage, Kilo Shop…
I bought a coffee machine at Emmaus for 10 euros! That’s a lot of money saved on 3-5 euro coffees on the go!
If you don’t have much time or patience to go to the thrift stores yourself, you can use apps or websites like Leboncoin and Vinted to buy second-hand treasures sold by people just like you!
Braderies and vide-greniers are another fun option
These local junkyard sales usually take place in September and October, and usually happen on a Saturday or Sunday.
Check with your local tourism office and pencil the date in. You can get yourself loads of treasures to turn your house into a home!
Treasures from my first ever shopping spree at a local vide-grenier
Tip #3: How to Get Your Meals for Cheap in France
When it comes to grocery shopping and everyday meals, there are a few ways to save some money in the long run.
One great go-to is the anti-gaspi section.
Every supermarket usually has one.
What is anti-gaspi?
Translating to anti-waste, this is a section at the supermarket, where you can get food products that are close to expiry, on sale.
If the portion is too large for a meal, you can always cook more than one, freeze and you’re good to go! Speaking of…
Have you heard of the app Too Good to Go?
It’s a great way to get delicious meals at pocket-friendly rates.
Restaurants or supermarkets often give away big baskets or large portions of food, which can be great to share among students - that means even smaller prices!
Navigating Daily Life
While navigating the infamous French bureaucracy and mastering the French language will not happen overnight, it doesn’t have to mean life in France is going to be difficult.
It’s important to set the tone right, from the beginning!
First impressions may not be everything, but you don’t want to create a negative image of the French people and culture from the get-go!
Contrary to popular belief, the French can prove themselves to be helpful and nice, provided you are willing to try a little too!
Tip #4: Basic French Expressions & Cultural Know-How to Get Around
Let’s start with some basic expressions to get you started and a few cultural dos and don’ts.
I’d like to make sure you don’t get started with the French on the wrong foot. If anyone can empathise with the struggles of the language learner, it’s the French!
Sometimes, all the French need to know is that you care.
Let them subtly know you are learning, but don’t yet have the words in a more complex situation.
🗨️ Je parle un peu français. Vous parlez anglais ?
Greeting is key!
🗨️ Bonjour ☀️/ Bonsoir 🌙 !
🗨️ Au revoir ! 👋🏻Bonne journée ☀️/ Bonne soirée 🌚
Politely asking for something at a boulangerie, café
🗨️ Un 🥐 ☕ / une 🥖, s’il vous plait !
Don’t forget to thank!
🗨️ Merci ! Merci beaucoup !
Make yourself way through a crowd
🗨️ Pardon !
Practice may make perfect, but more importantly, PRACTICE BUILDS CONFIDENCE.
It’s okay if you don’t know much. Use what you know. Keep doing it and it will come naturally to you in no time!
If you want to practice your French in a fun and supportive environment, I am starting a conversation club next month. Fill out this form to be the first to know about it!
Tip #5: How to Meet Locals or Other Expats like You
I realised, after my first year in France, that it’s important to build a good social network and ecosystem of people.
Why invest time meeting others?
For starters, you will not feel alone. By meeting people with common interests, you will have people to grab a drink with, run with, cook with, or play board games with - whatever your jam.
Stepping outside your uni environment can help you gain intel into the dos and don'ts of local life, and learn cultural know-how from people who have navigated your struggles.
This means you will have some tips on how to go about life and you don’t have to reinvent the wheel!
How to meet others in a new city?
One way to meet new people or other expats in France is through apps like Meetup or local Facebook groups (although seemingly outdated, you can get advice from the locals who’ve been around much longer!)
Immersing Yourself in French Culture
It may take a little push to get outside your comfort zone, but immersing yourself in the French culture instead of staying cocooned in the one you left behind, has loads of benefits!
It will help you open your mind to a new way of life and gain new ways of navigating life.
Setting the tone for a growth mindset early is super important! It will help you avoid prejudice and thereby set the stage for an enjoyable life in your new country.
How can you go about immersing yourself in French culture on a budget?
By immersing yourself in French culture, I don’t mean buying expensive tickets to the opera or music concerts!
Tip #6: How to Enjoy Low-Cost Cultural Activities in France During the Rentrée
As I said, the French are returning from their sun-filled holidays and autumn is setting in.
This means that you will find loads of local festivals, open-air markets, and community gatherings during September and October.
Just head to your city’s office de tourisme office or website! They will have all the events laid out for you on massive downloadable brochures (the French love their dépliants) !
Tip #7: How to Discover the French Cultural Heritage for Free!
Museums usually have a free entry every first Sunday of the month, but September has something special in store for you!
Journées du Patrimoine - an absolute must!
An annual event that takes place all around France (and Europe!) over a weekend in September, the aim being to open up the wealth of extraordinary heritage to the public.
This means that you can get free access to a plethora of unusual visits and exceptional cultural heritage sites, that would otherwise cost a LOT of money.
This year’s event will take place on the weekend of the 20th to the 22nd of September 2024.
Find out more European Heritage Days (culture.gouv.fr)
Tip #8: Start Small and It Will Take You a Long Way!
I know starting a new life in a new country can be tough!
But the little things will make a huge difference to the quality of your new life in the grand scheme.
The important thing is to let yourself enjoy the adventure you are embarking on!
I hope these tips come in handy as you go about planting the seeds for the beautiful life you envision and are about to begin creating in France.
Conclusion
Moving to France can feel like a whirlwind of excitement and challenges, but with the right mindset and a few strategic moves, you can settle in smoothly.
Remember, the key to thriving in your new environment is to stay open-minded, embrace the local way of life, and take things step-by-step.
Learning a few basic expressions, exploring local events, and connecting with fellow expats or locals can make a world of difference.
So, as you embark on this new chapter, take a deep breath, stay curious, and let the rentrée be the start of something amazing!
After all, you're not just moving to a new country—you're creating a new home and building a life filled with wonderful experiences.
Bon courage, et bienvenu.e en France!
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