Comprendre la France, la culture française, les Français et apprendre le français. Welcome to France!
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Documents you need to rent You should be asked for : your last 3 paychecks your work contract (not always). If you don't earn enough money (at least three times the amount of the rent), you will probably have to find a « garant » or « caution solidaire...
You must do a « état des lieux » (inventory of fixtures). Even if the owner or the estate agent tells you it's not important, insist, you need one. The « état des lieux » is the document you write and sign with the owner or agent stating all the problems...
You must sign a "bail". If you don't, it means you have no contract, it's illegal. A « bail » (plural is "baux") is the official document specifying how much you pay, what's the surface of your house. It's also on your « bail » that is written for how...
« une maison » (house) or « un appartement » (apartment), Superficie : size (in square meters) On the « petites annonces » you'll see : Studio T1 / 1 pièce cuisine : 1 room apartment T2 / 2 pièces cuisine : 1 bedroom and one dining/living apartment (so...
If you rent through a « agence immobilière », contact it directly. You might find a « petite annonce » (advertisement) in the window of the estate agency office. Once you know some names of agencies, you can also check on their website, it's very convenient...
How ? You can rent from a « agence immobilière » (estate agency), directly with a « particulier » (the owner of the house) , or a « HLM » council flat . What do I need to know ? Bail / lease Charges État des lieux Caution solidaire / garant Caution /...
1. You've just arrived in France or haven't been to a doctor yet Go to : www.ameli.fr On the homepage, click on « assurés ». Then, enter your zip code in the green square at the top of the page. Then click on « modifier ». Click on « votre caisse » (blue...
If you work in France but still belong to a foreign company, you are a « travailleur détaché ». In this case, you shouldn't be « assuré social » in France. But check with your company or your healthcare system how you will be reimbursed. If you work in...
Go to the first article of this section School starts « la rentrée des classes » at the beginning of September. Children have a - two weeks holiday for « la Toussaint » (end of October-beginning of November), - two weeks around Christmas and New Year...
It's a kind of check-up of your car !! When do I need it ? If your car is more than 4 years (then you need a « contrôle technique » every two years), or if it's more than 4 years and you want to sell it. If you need to do one, search on the phone book...
You need a good level of French for the theoretical test « le code ». For this test, you will have to answer questions (at least 40) based upon a situation shown with a photo and a paper with different possible answers. That's why you must understand...
A foreign driving licence is valid for one year from the validity date of your initial residence permit (titre de séjour). If you have passed this exam in an European country it may be exchanged for a French licence. Check at the préfecture. What are...
Go to visa The « récipissé » is the temporary document that allows you to stay in France while waiting for your « real » carte de séjour. This document is usually valid for three months, you can renew it. In theory with this « récipissé » you can't work,...
That's a difficult question ! In France, you can shake hands or "faire la bise". Do not hug people execpt if it's a very, very good friend you haven't seem for ages. Shake hands (serrer la main) is more formal, but it's also more polite. You take no risk...
Strange topic maybe, but you know, rules are different in every culture. So,I guess you have already noticed there are only a few public toilets in France, and you must pay. It's because, in France it's nearly taboo ! So, when you are invited or even...
Intersting ! You must find the “right moment”. If you are invited for an apéritif, after your second glass (I talk about a French “after”, it means at least 30 minutes after), when your host asks you if “vous voulez boire quelque chose d'autre ?”, “je...
If you don't want to eat anymore when you are asked if “vous en voulez encore ?, refuse with : “non merci” If you want some more, don't help yourself, wait for your hosts to ask “vous en voulez encore ?”, then you can say “oui, merci”, “oui, je veux bien”....
At what time do I arrive ? If your host indicated a time, arrive “around this time” : in France, it means “not before and until 30 minutes after” !! What do I say : just say “merci” when your host tells you “entrez”, “donnez-moi vos manteaux”. Add the...
You may think that French people are just cold and distant. Right, but it's a cultural behaviour, it's not because of you, it's not against you. I guess things change a lot with younger generations, but slowly. French people also make a big difference...
Pourquoi je ne suis pas invité ? Why I haven't been invited yet ? On m'invite, j'accepte comment ? I'm invented, I agree Est-ce que j'apporte quelque chose ? Do I bring something ? J'arrive, je dis quoi, je fais quoi ? I arrive, what do I say and do ?...
When do they live ? When they want, so if they are French, it might be late ! Thank them again for their present : “merci pour le vin”, “merci pour les fleurs”, “merci d'avoir amené quelque chose”. Bring their coats back : “Ce manteau est à qui ?” if...
You have the choice, or you serve it in the dinning-room, or you go back to the living-room. If you want to go back to the living-room, tell your guests : “on passe au salon”, “on va prendre le café au salon”. But in France, when we say “café” we mean...
Now you need the right sentences to serve your guests : À boire (drink) : “vous voulez boire quelque chose ?”, “qu'est-ce que je vous sers ?”, “qu'est-ce que vous voulez boire ?”. List the different drinks you have “avec de l'alcool” (with), “sans alcool”...
In France, guests keep their shoes on. But you must introduce them into your house : “Entrez, je vous en prie” Do you shake hands (serrer la main) or faire la bise ? If they bring something (what they might do), or they give it to you spontaneously, or...
Here are a few sentences you can use or you might hear. Formel : “Je vous invite samedi soir pour le repas” “Est-ce que vous êtes libres dimanche midi pour l'apéritif ?” Informal : “Passez prendre l'apéritif samedi soir” “Venez manger à la maison dimanche...
