Long-term Expat: Paris Resources Guide
To all the expats living in Paris long-term, this post is for you. Over the years, I have accumulated so many bookmarked pages, written down direct contact email addresses for French admin, collected business cards, and compiled resources related to setting up roots in Paris on a long term basis... I know it can sometimes be overwhelming to sift through Google search results when you are trying to navigate which which website to reference for visa renewal, finding a doctor in Paris, or simply the best salons to get your hair done. So I decided why not compile some of the useful links I’ve come across into one easy to reference blog post. This list is meant to be ever-evolving and I will be adding to it periodically, so, please don’t hesitate to comment below with your suggestions as well.
French Admin
Service Publique (Go to website for all things French Administration)
OUPS.gouv.fr (Helpful site that explains French Admin processes step by step
Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour (APS) Visa (allows a 1 year extension to your visa to look for work after Master studies)
Pole Emploi- Website for applying for unemployment
Certified Translator for French admin (Affordable prices and quick)
Traducteurs Associes (11 rue de mazagran, 75010)French Naturalisation Office contact email (pp-dpg-naturalisation@interieur.gouv.fr)
US Admin Abroad
Fingerprint service for FBI background check for applying for French nationality (You can get fingerprints done in Paris without having to go back to the US)
Declaration of birth abroad of US citizens
Work/ Starting a business
French Tech- French startup initiative
URSSAF (Website to file as an auto-entrepreneur)
The Family- Startup Fellowship
Station F- Startup incubator/campus
Learning French
Cours de Civilisation Française (La Sorbonne offers a variety of French classes from intensives to business French courses)
Cours Municipaux d'Adultes (The Mairies of Paris offer a wide variety of French as a second language courses for adults and a really affordable price)
I Learn French ( An alternative way to take your French to the next level)
Renting/ Purchasing an apartment
Courtiers Immobilier (help to find best interest rate for loans) cityandco.fr
courtage-immo-conseil.com
Mon-courtier-crédit.fr
Health/ Wellness
Doctolib- Helpful site/app to find medical providers and book doctors appointments
Free annual comprehensive physical (L’examen en prevention de santé) - Every year you can get a comprehensive physical that last about 2hours which covers everything from blood work, hearing, sight, dental, and even an EKG)
Classpass Paris - Fitness App where you can take classes in different studios throughout Paris
Centres d’animations (Each arrondissement has cultural center that offers different classes ranging from fitness, dance, music, photography, web design, and even wine tastings. The great thing about this classes is the annual registration fees are in function of what you earn)
Beauty/Self-Care
Stella Centre de beauté Indien (Eyebrow threading salon)
Treatwell (Booking app for beauty related appointments)
Les Bains d’Orient– Great place to go if you're looking to enjoy a spa day. They have a great waxing department as well that uses Oriental wax (sugar, lime and honey)
Estitika (Beauty center)
Expat Things
Boneshaker Dougnuts (Best donut spot in the city)
Love & Cakes (American style cakes and cupcakes)
Bob’s Bake Shop (Go to for bagels)
Transferwise (Easy way to transfer money internationally with minimal fees)