France is the largest country in the European Union. Metropolitan France (the part of France located in Europe) shares a common border with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Andorra and Spain. Also, France covers more than 46,000 mi² of land overseas. The total area of the Republic estimates 244,340 sq. mi – almost as big as the State of Texas.
More than 65 million people call France home. Paris, Lyon and Marseille rank highest in terms of population. The capital city Paris (including the metro area) has more than 12 million residents.
France has always been a significant player in the international affairs. The French Republic is one of the founding State Members of the United Nations. Within the United Nations, France plays an active role in areas like Human Rights, environment and maintenance of peace and security.
A modern and democratic republic, France lures with its good standard of living, excellent opportunities for career development and education, fine health care, attractive entertainment venues and splendid scenery.
Geography and climate
The French Republic has a diverse landscape. Mountains are mostly located in the south and in the east. The highest mountain ranges are the Alps and the Pyrenees. Mont Blanc in the Alps is the highest peak in France – 15,771 feet.
The biggest rivers in France – the Seine, the Loire, the Garonne and the Rhône have not only helped create the country’s beautiful landscape, but thanks to them, the country is easily navigable by water.
Metropolitan France has over 3,400 miles of coastline stretching from the North Sea, along the Channel to the Atlantic Ocean in the west, and along the Mediterranean in the south.
The Republic’s overseas territories include a great number of islands like Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea and Tahiti in French Polynesia.
The climate in France is temperate, varying in the different regions – coastal, continental, mountainous and Mediterranean. As a whole, France enjoys 4 seasons with mild temperatures throughout the year.
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If you want to legally stay in the country for more than 3 months, French government requires from foreigners to have a long-stay visa – Visa de Long Séjour. Only EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are not required a visa to legally reside in France.
The long-stay visa is generally issued for academic, work or family reasons. If you are moving to France for work, your employer needs to apply for a work permit and start the procedure.
From the year 2009, long-stay visa holders are no longer required to obtain a residence permit (“carte de séjour”) from the French local authorities (“Préfecture”) as long as their visa is valid. However, long stay visa holders will have to register with the French Office of Immigration and Integration (OFII) during the first three months of their stay in France. (http://www.ofii.fr/)
Contact the nearest French Consulate to acquaint yourself with the procedure and apply for a visa in a timely manner.
Economy
As to the 2013 statistics, France has a GDP of 2,121 billion euros and ranks 5th in the world. France is a leading agricultural producer in the European Union, and a global leader in the production of wines and spirits.
The industrial sector is well developed in the agribusiness, transport, construction, chemical industry, energy, and the pharmaceutical and cosmetics sectors.
Famous leading companies include Arianespace, EADS, Airbus, Dassault and Safran – operating in the aviation field, Areva – known for nuclear power, Alstom in the rail industry and Ubisoft – a video-game developer.
France is a worldwide renowned tourist destination with more than 80 million tourists yearly who spend more than $55 billion. (Source: World Tourism Organization).
French President François Hollande still struggles to decrease unemployment rate which has hit nearly 11% as reported by france24.com. However, Hollande has engaged in implementing a new business-friendly policy that will encourage companies to undertake hiring commitments.
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, average annual wage comes at about $45,500.
As a general rule, rental prices depend on the area and the size of the property. In small towns, one bedroom dwelling may cost around 400 euros monthly on average, on the other hand, in big cities 1-bedroom rentals usually start at 800 euros and easily skyrocket.
Moving to France: Where to live
Château de Chambord is the largest château in the Loire Valley.
Marseilleis the oldest city in France and a major port in the country. Actually, the old port is the heart of the city. Being famous as a hub for conferences, seminars and trade fair organizations, Marseille is also a cosmopolitan city that offers variety of cultural events. In fact, the city was named as “the 2013 European Capital of Culture”.
Lyon in the Rhône-Alpes region is claimed to be the ‘capital of gastronomy’. You still can try traditional dishes here. The city is also a center for students with the University of Lyon being the second biggest university in the country. Last but not least, the city’s Gothic and Renaissance architecture is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Bordeauxis the capital of wines and spirits. Some 14,000 regional producers are located in the city, making internationally distinguished wines. Other well-developed sectors include biotechnologies and research, and Telecommunications and IT. Tourists and regulars enjoy the numerous charming bistros and restaurants offering excellent dishes.
the European Parliament, Strasbourg
Toulouse is located in the Midi-Pyrénnées region and is called the “pink city” or the “city of violets”. The canal du Midi, which links the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, is one of the greatest engineering achievements of the modern age and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Toulouse is home to many aeronautics and aerospace companies and some excellent engineering schools and scientific institutes.
Situated on the bank of the Rhine River, Strasbourg is said to be one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Several European Union institutions including the European Parliament are located here, making the city a European capital. Strasbourg is a major political and business hub. The city allures many tourists with its rich cultural heritage and the traditional Christmas Markets here are magnificent.
Moving to France: Things to do before your arrival
Parlez-vous français?
Before moving to France, it is worth learning the language. It is advisable to have a basic knowledge of French at the very least before your arrival. Your job may not require a fluent, proficient level of French, but speaking fluently the language will help you adjust to the new environment a lot easier. Besides, you will most probably need to sign a lot of contracts and agreements like your lease.
Joey from Friends trying to speak French. Watch and learn.
Find a rent
Start looking for a temporary housing at least two weeks before the moving date. It’s advisable to avoid long-term agreements prior to your relocation. Once you arrive, you can start looking for a rent or a property to buy real efficiently. You can get to know the neighborhoods and acquaint yourself with the laws and rules. Furthermore, you can find a good real estate broker who will help you through the process.
Explore local banks
Find out what the best way to transfer your money is. Check what the terms and the taxes that local banks employ are.
Hire an international mover
Upon arrival, your household items will go through customs clearance. Supposing most of your household items will be duty free, items of high value must be declared. You must declare cash, securities and values of an amount equal to or higher than 10,000 euros to French customs. An experienced international moving company can help you manage the logistics efficiently. Find further help on how to choose the best international mover in this guide.
Save enough money
Plan your potential costs and make sure you have enough money to cover your living costs for the first couple of months. Visa fees, rent (for the first couple of months), travel costs, utilities and other living costs, and last but not least mover’s fees. Research prices in the new area to ascertain you’ll have enough money to cover all potential expenses till you get your first salary. As to the moving related cost, just fill in our cost calculator and you’ll get a complete estimate of what you might expect as a final cost.
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France at a glance
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