Living in France: Reference

Special Offers

Day-trips

Festivals

FAQ

Themes

Living in France

Reference information and links

Although it mightn't seem like it at the start, France is actually very welcoming to foreigners. The only proviso is that if your French isn't perfect it can be quite difficult to get the help that you need. There are a number of different organisations which are designed to help you settle into French life, of which a small selection of the more useful ones are:

• Accueil des Villages Françaises (AVF). The French version of the Welcome Waggon. A volunteer army that exists in 500 towns and villages throughout France. It mainly provides information and advice but also organises welcome events and language courses.

• Association Expression. Organises language lessons and cultural events. This seems to be the cheapest way to learn French.

• Centre d'Information et d'Orientation (CIO). This government organisation has offices in the larger French towns and is aimed at getting children (up to age 18) into the school system. They organise tests (in French) to determine the appropriate class for the child and can arrange language lessons if necessary.

• Mission Insertion Locale (MLI). This government organisation exists in most towns in France with part-time offices in the larger villages. They are there to help 16 to 25 year olds into the local economy and are a magnificent resource of contacts in the fields of jobs, social security and improving your language skills.

General stuff

I'm not sure which of the following might be obvious and which wouldn't so I'll just put it all down

• this will get filled up in due course.