Ever dreamt of living in Paris? It’s a dream that countless people all over the world have and in today’s video we’re going to discuss what it’s really like to live in the French capital. We’ll meet with Justine Fanget, a Franco-American who lives in Paris, running her own podcast and brocante business!
From adjusting to living in smaller apartments to French habits, shopping norms, and cultural differences, we’ll even talk about adjusting your beauty routines and how you might change how you dress after moving to Paris.
Justine’s socials:
Justine’s personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justine_fanget/
Brocante business: https://www.instagram.com/evoquebrocante/
Pardon Our French Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/pof_podcast/
Chapters:
Introduction: 00:00
Culture shocks & cultural differences: 00:01:18
Public transportation & car use in Paris: 00:05:10
Making friends in France: 00:06:05
French etiquette & social faux pas: 00:07:03
Apartment living: 00:07:52
Brocantes: 00:10:54
Eating habits & dining out: 00:11:47
Fashion and beauty in Paris: 00:14:22
Places you can’t miss in Paris & France: 00:15:45
What to watch next 🎥:
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33 Comments
Other than in restaurants, which is a different kind of customer service experience, it just doesn’t exist in France. Instead of in the US where « the customer is always rights, » in France the customer never is! You can return clothes, but other than that, NOTHING can be returned…not even something that doesn’t work…it’s « well, too bad for you. » It’s really quite shocking!
Old information that no longer applies
The best part with Paris is its beautiful architecture you will see everywhere in central Paris. Paris has changed over the last decades though, and there are more beggars, particularly in the tourist areas, than there used to be. And they may even be agressive. If you consider to stay in Paris for a longer period of time, you will need to rent an apartment. And they are very expensive in central areas, and often tiny. At least Eur 1500/month for a tiny apartment . Often more. Be aware of hords of tourists in central Paris. But you may go and cool down in the Boulogne forest in summer, when days may be hot. There are not many large parks in Paris. And walking around may be tiresome, but necessary to admire the beatiful architecture and historic monuments.
I am from the British Caribbean and I live here. I respect everyone's opinion based on their experience living here, but I disagree with her first comments on the customer service experience. I have not experienced that based on the places I go. Plus most of the servers here are not native French people, it's "Mostly Expats" so I would not blame the French for that.
2:56 lol. You are going to have a genuine connection with someone who is rude to you? So its a good thing that if someone is having a bad day and they take it out on you? Is this a propaganda video?
I did the reverse, I grew up in France of a French mother and emigrated to the US. I just want to say tips is not the issue with the kind service in the US. It's a cultural issue. People are simply friendlier. If it were a question of tips, why would the grocery store clerks, bank attendants, anyone in the service industry be friendlier, kinder? Yes, Europeans in general are more direct and less interested. When I moved to the US, I was amazed at how interested Americans in general were about other countries. That is not the case in France or even Europe. They love their own countries, their own foods, their own customs period. Foreigners generally don't interest them.
Thanks for sharing your experience. Even for tourists there is something to learn before going to visit Paris.
Central parts of Paris are beautiful. The architecture, scenic streets, nicely looking French people and amazing food at boulangeries. And yes getting lost in Montmartre is a great thing to do, especially if you're a fan of 'Amelie' movie
I guess it depends on where in North America you’ve lived, but I’ve taken two hour lunches, shopped daily in multiple little stores and the farmers market for my groceries, lived in apartments that only had stairs and not owned a car. Toast with jam and a coffee has been the breakfast I’ve had since growing up. I’ve never set foot in Europe. Nice video though.
Well I find it still to be under the american scope. As a Spanish it's not how I have seen it
Thank you!
It's not just French 🙂 the whole Europe is like this, – nothing like U.S. there's no culture in U.S.
thank you Sophie & Justine for a beautiful view! xx
fab video! ❤
Paris has one major problem, as for me, you NEED to speak fluent French to find a job and to feel comfortable, the income should be around 4-5k. But it's much lower in real life
If you’re wealthy and never have to see or deal with undocumented immigrants, it’s amazing.
I lived in Paris from age 18-20. I will always love it 💕
Lived in Paris 4 years
Never ever had a problem with french people
Never
I was nice they were nice
Like everywhere else
In the States when they see you they see dollar sign only – and how much they can extract from your wallet – because in the States employers are not paying their workers – so everyone is on begging mode – terrible actually
I like France but there also many things where I am like uhhhhhhh… But isn't that the beauty of living abroad 😘
i visited paris for the week it was beautiful but the people are rude and angry….i wonder why
I live part time between Arizona and Paris …love the city and its people!
It's so strange. When I visited France I found French people to be incredibly present, proud of their work, enthusiastic and warm. It was only rarely that we encountered surly people. Maybe our personality types are just compatible.
Ooooo I wonder where in Northern California she is from! I live near Sacramento and the culture here is definitely different than other areas of California.
Images this this video reinforce certain cliche about Paris- the Petite Couronne environment. In Paris, to live really well is no different to the one you and I live which is the Grande Couronne. Most expat will live someone in the outer parts or put another way, close towards the CDG outer limits, for cheaper housing and better quality schools. Like all living in Paris vids- no one talks about the Grande Couronne part.
Love Paris Alot of attractive shine places visit nice places of Paris✔️🌷🌹
I went to Prague in January and it was so beautiful. A really lovely city.
Very nicely done, although I was continually distracted by the interviewer's legs…
2:20 u can see an immigrant looking man sitting on bench watching them walk by…needless to say what is he staring at….some men are born shameless esp immigrants
Great video with practical honest advice. I like how ye interspersed the whole video with clips and images of what she was talking about.😊💚
You can get everything you need from Auchan😂
As an American living in Paris I loved this interview !
There is a lot of complanining countries. But the difference, if you than stand up for what you believe, than that's awesome. Passive complaining though… that sucks. 🙂
My 3rd time in Paris next year; been to Madrid 3X❤❤❤