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Cheap Travel in France as a family of 4/5

There’s a family of 5 on this picture.
Can you see it?
  • How much does it cost to travel in France as a family?
  • Here’s a sample Budget for a week.
  • The cost of life will comprise 5 Domains: Accommodations, Transportation, Landmarks & Culture, Restaurants & Groceries, and Entertainment.
  • The costs in this article will be indicated in Euros, for immediate projection purpose.
  • You can consider that 1$ approximately 1€.
  • It will even out in most cases.
  • Here’s an Euro-Dollar converter.

Smart travel & Itineraries

General considerations
  • What are you looking for in France?
  • For how long will you travel?
  • Booking several months ahead may guarantee you a better fare.
  • Choose your Airport/Terminal.
  • If you’re travelling in Southern France, you could book a flight to one Nice, Marseille, or Bordeaux to reduce costs.
  • Check that all your Passports & Visas are up to date.
  • The same for the medical cards & documents/prescriptions.
Travel Packages (or Vacation Packages)
  • Travel package include round-trip air fare & hotel stay.
  • They may include guided tours or restaurant vouchers and other cost-effective advantages.
  • However, some of them are sold under special conditions.
  • Therefore reading consumer reviews, on Trip Advisor, of the packages is essential.
  • You can compare Travel packages on sites like Kayak, Momondo, Hotwire & Skyscanner.
  • Air France & their partners proposes special offers on flights and travel packages during holidays.
Off-Season & Shoulder Season
  • The off-season lasts from November to March.
  • The shoulder season sits between peak and off seasons.
  • Generally around April-May & October.
  • The tickets, the hotels & most of the services will be cheaper.
  • The roads, the landmarks & most of the places in town will also be less crowded.
  • Off-season & shoulder season have some Drawbacks.
  • Less Tourist offices will welcome you, and may have shorter working hours.
  • Less museums & landmarks propose English-language tours.
  • Though, the largest ones operate all along the year.
  • You should not see the difference if you’re going to a major City.

The Gateway to Western Europe

France grants you direct access to all Western Europe nations.
Travelling by land, wherever it is by car or by train, will allow you to save money on some costly inter-European flights.

  • If you’re in Paris & Ile-de-France there are no access by lands but airports can lead you anywhere at a low cost.
  • Brittany (Bretagne)
  • The Provence region & Southern France is a Close to Italy.
  • It’s also an access to Switzerland.
  • The South West, the Occitanie & Nouvelle Aquitaine are the Closest to Spain.
  • The South West also leads you to the Basque Country.
  • If you are traveling through Alsace-Loraine & Eastern France you can progressively end in Germany without realizing it.
  • And Belgium & the Netherlands are just a little further.
  • Through Normandy & Northern France you can access the United Kingdom via the Eurostar or by boat.

Make the most of your journey by visiting as many countries as possible.

Lodging & Accommodation

Budget 2 & 3-stars Hotels
  • Lodging will be the 2nd biggest expense after Tickets.
  • As hotels are influenced airlines trends in terms of pricing you will win by books in advance.
  • Low cost Hotel chains such as Ibis budget, Premiere Classe, Campanile, Adagio/Hipark, Odalys, Park Inn or Residhome are recommended.
  • There are dozens of low cost hotel chains, the aforementioned chains tends to keep their prices low in most cities.
  • The average hotel stay will cost you between 800 & 1200 euros.
  • For a duration of 8 days.
  • For 2 bedrooms, 1 for 2 adults, the other for 1 adult (child over the age of 17) & 2 children (under 17 yo).
  • WiFi is included, cancelling requires no additional fee, and in most cases All you can eat breakfast are included.
Family Hotels & Resorts
  • Center parcs family resorts
  • Center Parcs are built under large domes.
  • The domes shelter landscaped tropical pools, water parks, restaurants, shops, and spas.
  • Center Parcs also offer outdoor activities.
    • Some common activities are: archery, zip wires, rafting, tree climbing, or horse riding.
  • The multi-bedrooms Cottages are fully equipped.
  • Most of them are situated in Northern & Central France.

1 week stay for 5 person : 2000 – 3000 €

  • Club med
  • The emphasis is put onto Children & Teenager-friendly programs.
  • Many sport-clubs types programs exist.
  • Family-Oriented ski resorts are the most popular.
  • The Club med resorts includes: agoras, récréative spaces, restaurants, shopping galleries & spas.
  • The resorts are free for Children under 4 yo (accommodations, meals & activities).

1 week stay for 5 person (connecting room, 387.5 sqft) : 6000 €

Apartment Rental
  • Apartment Rental has become a popular option in many Cities.
  • As most of them have a kitchen, you can save up some additional money on dining out.
  • If you plan to stay for a month this will be the most cost effective option.
  • A 3 bedroom apartment will cost you around 800-1000 (out of city center) & 1000-1400 (in city center) Euros.

Center ParksClub MedHotelsAppartments
ProsSheltered space
Everything in 1 Place		Everything in 1 Place
Ski resorts		Cheaper than Resorts
Familiar option		Cheapest
More rooms
ConsClosed space
North & Center only		Most ExpensiveNo Kitchen
Stay for 1 month
Chores?

Transportation

  • If you travel through Cities & Metropolises public transportation becomes an essential part of your journey.
  • And can cost quite a lot.
  • Consider buying a City Pass.
  • They are generally Weekly passes & Monthly passes.
  • They include transportation and entry to certain museums & landmarks.
  • Most of the time it will be Buses & Trains, but some passes include Subway.
  • They are available at local tourist offices, attractions, and hotels. 
  • On feet
  • If your journey is longer than a month you may want to consider a Car-Lease Buyback.
  • This option is offered by major car manufacturers.
  • There are several advantages over a traditional car rental.
  • Such as driving a brand new vehicle, and tax-deductible insurance tailored for this short period.  
  • Avis also propose one of the most popular Rent-a-Car option.
  • When it comes to Small towns & Villages where buses are rare, Cars become valuable.
  • When travelling between regions or countries, consider an overnight sleeper train.
  • It could save you the cost of a hotel’s night.
  • In the same vein, open-topped bus is a great way to visit a City and some of them have a dedicated guide.
  • It may come out cheaper than a tour of every city’s landmark & you may remember more things.

Landmarks & Parks

  • Many Landmarks are free to tour.
  • Most of the Cathedrals of France are free to visit.
    • They are some of the greatest monuments, depicting the evolution of France’s history.
  • France harbors many medieval towns & villages.
    • They are spread all over the country.
  • The same goes for Antique, mostly Roman ruins.
    • Most of them are situated in southern France.
  • Paris & Ile-de-France
    • Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral
    • Château de Versailles
  • Brittany (Bretagne)
    • Phare de L’Ile Vierge
    • Alignements de Carnac
  • Provence & Southern France
    • Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde – Marseille
    • Citadelle de Sisteron – Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
  • South West, Occitanie & Nouvelle Aquitaine
    • Bordeaux offers many free activities. The city center is a UN World Heritage Site.
    • Arènes de Nîmes – Languedoc-Roussillon
  • Alsace-Loraine & Eastern France
    • Cathédrale de Strasbourg – Alsace
    • Hospices de Beaune – Bourgogne
  • Normandy & Northern France
    • Cathedral of Amiens have remarkable sound & light shows
    • Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel

Cinema, Museums & Culture

  • Paris & Ile-de-France
    • The Louvre, the Musee D’Orsay, and many other museums are free for kids up to 18 years old.
  • Brittany (Bretagne)
  • Provence & Southern France
    • Musée Picasso – Antibes
    • Musée Matisse – Nice
  • South West, Occitanie & Nouvelle Aquitaine
    • Musée Toulouse Lautrec – Albi
    • Musée Bonnat – Bayonne
    • Musée des Beaux-Arts – Bordeaux
  • Alsace-Loraine & Eastern France
    • Musée Miniature et Cinéma – Lyon
    • Hôtel-Dieu – Beaune
  • Normandy & Northern France
    • Musée d’art moderne – Lille
    • Palais des Beaux Arts – Lille
Special offers, Reduced fees & Holidays
  • City Passes offer you free access to many Landmarks & Museums.
    • Or reduced tickets
  • There are almost always Students prices.
  • Many Cultural attractions are free or have price cut in half for Children (under 13 or under 16).
  • Many Cultural attractions are free for Children (under 3).
  • Holidays are synonyms of lowered prices or even free entry.

Restaurants, Snack Bars & Cafes

There are many wonderful options for eating out, from street food, to Traditional regional specialties, to Grands Restaurants.
Here are some dishes you’ll want to try with your Children.
Most of them are Pastries & Bakeries, because…

  • Paris & Ile-de-France
    • Les Croissants
    • Brioche de Nanterre
    • L’Opera
    • La Religieuse
    • Le Paris-Brest
  • Brittany (Bretagne)
    • Gavottes
    • Kouign amann
    • Pallets/Galettes Bretones
  • Provence & Southern France
    • Brioches aux Pralines
    • Macarons de Massiac
    • Cassoulet
  • Center France
    • Tarte Tatin
    • L’Ideal Maconnais, (Filled Meringues & Buttercream)
    • Le Belfort
    • Le Rigodon
    • Boeuf Bourguignon
  • South West, Occitanie & Nouvelle Aquitaine
    • Le gâteau à la broche de Bigorre
    • La Crème Paysanne
    • Canelé Bordelais
  • Alsace-Loraine & Eastern France
    • Kougloff
    • Pain d’Epices
    • Flammekueche
    • Quiche Lorraine
    • Gratin Dauphinois
    • Chocolate Truffles
  • Normandy & Northern France
    • la Gâche de Normandie
    • Le Merveilleux
    • Speculoos
    • Creme Chantilly
    • Moule Frites
  • Most Pastries & Viennoiseries can be found around 2-3 euros.
  • Street food will cost you around 5 to 7 euros per person.
  • A lunch in an inexpensive restaurant will cost you around 13 euros per person.
  • A 3-course meal in a mid-range restaurant will cost you around 50 euros per person.
  • Soda is generally around 2-3 euros & Water under 2 euros (small bottles).

Easy Self-Cater

Breads, Charcuteries, Cheeses, you’ll want to try them all.

  • Paris & Ile-de-France
    • Baguette
    • Pate de Chartres
  • Brittany (Bretagne)
    • Rillettes de Noix de St-Jacques
    • Caramels au Beure sale – Morhiban
  • Provence & Southern France
    • Olive Oil
    • Aioli
  • South West, Occitanie & Nouvelle Aquitaine
    • Saucisse de Toulouse
    • Jambon de Bayonne
    • Huitres Atlantique
    • Tome des Pyrenees
    • Piment d’Espelette
    • Pelardon
    • Figues
  • Alsace-Loraine & Eastern France
    • Saucisse de Montbeliard
    • Saucisse de Morteau
    • Comte
    • Reblochon
    • Moutarde de Dijon
  • Normandy & Northern France
    • Camembert
    • Mimolette
    • Ficelle Picarde
  • Beef is around 7 Euro/pound & Chicken 3 Euro/pound.
  • Most Local Cheeses will be around 6.5 Euro/pound.
  • Milk is around 3 Euro/gallon.
  • Most fruits & vegetable are around 1 Euro/pound.
    • So are rice, pasta & bread (or even under).
  • Soda is generally around 1-2 euros & Water under 1 euros.
Expenses (4-5 persons)Euros €/w
Tickets
Off-season
Off-season – Child
Shoulder season
Shoulder season – Child		600
800
1200
Accomodations
Hotel (8 days, 2 rooms)
Apartment (1 month, 3 rooms)		800 – 1200
1000 – 1400
Communication
Phone + Internet (wifi/mobile)
VPN		20
5
Transportation (weekly pass)
One-way Ticket
Bus + Metro + others
Train (Yearly Discount pass)		1.7 – 2
50-70
399(+ ticket)
Financial services
Agency/Site
Insurance (Health + Home + Life)
112-157
Eat Out
Restaurant/Dinner
Lunch
Snacks/Bakeries		80-100
35-40
10-20
Self Catering
Groceriesup to 150
Entertainment (1 seance)
Cinema
Museum/Landmark		up to 10
up to 10
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Living in France: Should you learn French?

  • Do you need to learn french? No.
  • If you want to, you should.
  • If you’re planing to install in France for a few month, or if you intend to live there for a couple of years, learning the language will only make your life better.

Do you need to learn French?

  • Financial services, Real Estate companies, Legal professionals, all of them have their ways with the English language.
  • They will be able to provide advice in both languages with no troubles.
  • Contracts have to be written in a language understood by the parties that’s integral to the European dynamics of inclusiveness.
  • The biggest, most reliable french companies all have an international division.
  • If they don’t, look for another.
  • Every Publics services from Security to Heath to Tax services is equipped to assist you.
  • Education can be delivered in both languages in both languages in many schools & institutes.
  • Entertainment
    • Most cinemas propose non-dubbed versions of the movies or English-subbed versions.
    • The biggest museums & art galleries have bilingual guides.
  • Restaurants
    • Most restaurants have their menues in both languages.
  • Self-Catering & the Markets
    • Almost every super/hypermarket will be English friendly.
    • Many markets have English label nowadays.

If you want to live in France, and enjoy your french mates.

  • You could say Pastries, or Patisseries.
  • Bakery or Boulangerie.
  • And so on.
  • There are very few languages in the world that as a close to English as French.
  • French vocabulary has been introduced into the English language since the Normand invasion of Britain up to the XXth century.
  • English is classified as a Germanic language, but up to 2/3 of its vocabulary is directly inherited from Romance languages, namely Latin (1/3) & French (1/3).
  • If anything, learning French will allow you to discover new English words.
  • Similarly, English is an easy language to learn if you are already speaking french, and is of great value if you wish to understand the evolution of French language as the 2 languages are so intertwined.

Travel & Taste

  • Les Marches locaux (Markets) are probably one of the best places to learn French.
  • Because you’ll learn French in its rawest form.
  • Local producers won’t try to tailor their speech for the customers, they’ll speak their way.
  • That’s also why markets are the best place to learn dialects.
  • And also the best places to discover regional specialties.
  • Try to visit as many cities, towns & villages as you can especially at the border of Spain, Italy & Germany.
  • The cities, towns & generally the Regions bordering these countries will have a lot of foreign communities but also give you access to regional languages such as Occitan, Savoyard or Languedocien.
  • That’s as many open doors for you to the rest of Europe.
  • Travelling is a game, Play.

The Joy of thinking in another Language

  • Linguistic flexibility in 1 of the many that allows to enjoy Cognitive Joy.
  • When you’re able to understand what the main character says in this movie you’ve always watch with subtitle, and understand the emotion behind the words you’ll be golden.
  • It brings us back to the reason why you decided to move: you wanted it.
  • And you probably want to speak the language of the country you’re living in just to interact with others.
  • But maybe even more so to remind yourself that you wanted to satisfy yourself.
  • Being able to switch from French to English & back to French is a pleasure in itself.
  • So much so that we’re now learning true foreign languages such as Arabic or Japanese.
  • Japanese is an especially challenging one & probably one of the hardest languages to learn period.
  • Even so, Enjoyment > Difficulty.
  • You may already know that feeling if you’ve got a couple of foreign languages under your arm.

Your daily french games

  • Order a full meal in French.
  • Watch a cookery show (’emission de cuisine’).
  • Ask for directions.
  • Treat yourself to your favorite meal, as long as you can read it out loud.
  • Read a Hugo’s poem, a LaFontaine’s fable.
    • other writings: Le Horla Guy de Maupassant, À la recherche du temps perdu Marcel Proust or Vingt mille lieues sous les mers Jules Verne.
  • Watch a whole movie twice: with & then without subs.
    • examples: Céline et Julie vont en bateau Jacques Rivette, A Bout de souffle Jean-Luc Godard,  Shoah Claude Lanzmann or La Règle du jeu Jean Renoir.
  • Listen a whole song trice a week: listen, sing along, sing without.
    • examples: any popular song you like.
Try Random Expressions.
  • Think of French as a regional dialect of English (or vice-versa).
  • All you need to learn is the accent.
  • Some key phrases to get you started:
    • La grande illusion, c’est le passé.
    • Les portes de l’avenir sont ouvertes à ceux qui savent les pousser.
    • Puis-je vous aidez avec votre sac?
    • Vous avez de magnifiques toilettes.
    • Je préfère les chats sans poils.
  • Make up your own phrases with random words.
  • You could even make a song out of this.
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20 Best Cities/Towns of France to live & work

Lyon
  • Have you ever though about France?
  • For holidays, maybe.
  • What about 5 years holidays?
  • What about living & working there?

Here are for you 20 of the best towns of France where it’s good to live & work:

  • Rennes
  • Clermont-Ferrand
  • Lyon
  • Bordeaux
  • Montpellier
  • Tours
  • Grenoble
  • Annecy.
  • Angers
  • Brest
  • Strasbourg
  • Nantes
  • Toulouse
  • Nice
  • Lille
  • Dijon
  • Metz
  • Orleans
  • Nancy
  • Rouen

A little thing about Paris & Ile-de-France

  • The capital is an amazing place to be, especially if you’re from outside of Europe.
  • However, in the last few decades many French workers (cadres) have began to massively quit Paris & Ile-de-France.
  • If you are moving to France because you went there on travels and find the country expensive, try towns & cities like Toulouse, Bordeaux or Dijon.
  • The metropolises experience multiple issues with Safety & Transportations systems.
  • Same for the other large Metropolises, such as Marseilles.

About the Cities/Towns in the list

  • Most of the Cities/Towns in the following list offer services & amenities comparable to those offered in metropolises.
  • Culture & Education are central policies, they all host a least 1 State University and in most cases private schools (‘Ecoles supérieurs’).
  • They all hold a Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, large-scale hospital linked to a university.
  • The transportation web is consistant & performant.
  • Real estate is reasonable & infrastructures are good.
  • Safety is also more sustainable assured, since they are less populated & the amount of agent per citizen is higher.

Why live in these Cities/Towns?

  • The Quality of Life & High is the atmosphere is highly desirable.
  • Most of them are close to the sea, the mountain, or both in some cases.
  • Climate is soft & the place is sunny most of the year. 
  • Environmental condition are superior to most of the country, wherever it is air quality carbon footprint, or low amount of hazardous industrial sites.
  • Waste management is greener & Cycling is becoming the norm.
  • The use of concrete is limited. 
  • Again, transportation is more modern & more up to date to the newest policies in terms of sustainable Urbanisme.
  • The TGV lines are dispatched to connect to airports.
  • The 4G cover is good.
  • The transition to 5G has began. 
  • Real estate is reasonably priced, wherever it is rental or buying.
  • Culture & Entertainment, including restoration, are on par with those of metropolises.
  • Education is the prior public policy, there’s a large choice of high schools & Universities.
  • It is easier to access to a general practitioner, a dentist, or other specialized medical practitioners.
  • Safety is assured, with access to many Police stations & Gendarmeries bureau.
  • Every one of them has at least 1 Precinct, and most of them have more than 3.

Why Work in these Cities/Towns?

  • Employment market is sturdy, with many new jobs offers flourishing.
  • Unemployment rate is low & is getting lower as more people move in.
  • Most white-collar jobs have a faster career progression.
  • Structures Financing businesses have a low barrier to entry.
  • Construction/Civil engineering & Real Estate are 2 of the biggest sectors that attract people creating a snowball effect: more people in, more buildings & roads needed.
  • Subsequently, Industrial & Retail Real Estate tend to see their prices rapidly diminish even if they are still consequent.
  • The same effect has not be witnessed yet on Office real estate, where Teleworking is an advantageous alternative.
  • There are more High-Tech companies than anywhere else in the country, compared to the number of inhabitant.
  • This enhances the development of sectors such as Web/Mobile development, Digital marketing & Graphic Design.
  • This encourages the implementation of Teleworking in companies.
  • There’s a large number of students & specializations are diversified, so are career paths. 
  • Young Bachelors & Masters degrees owners find a job easily.
  • R&D is rising. 
  • Most of the population is well-off & consumption rate is high, wherever is domestic or from tourists.
  • The number of hotels is high. 

The case of Rennes : an emerging metropolis

  • The top city of western France in term of Life Quality.
  • Almost 90% of Rennes inhabitants recommend their city to a person willing to move.
    • Housing is inexpensive.
    • Transportation may become more congested as Rennes becomes quite popular.
    • Atmosphere is great with high environmental quality, and a very clement climate.
  • A welcoming Employment market in most sectors.
    • Dynamism is high relatively to the rest of the country.
  • Cost of Life is low to medium depending on the district you live in.
  • Entertainment is diverse, and parks are plentiful.
    • Museums, Art galleries & Cinemas are promoted by the inhabitant and many value offers exist.
    • Restaurants & Snack bars are on par with those of metropolises.
  • Services are responsive & Infrastructures are of high quality.
    • The City possess a CHU & multiple Hospitals.
    • The University is one of the city’s pride.
    • Education is 1 of Rennes top strengths.

The Case of Lyon: Mature & Large and even more attractive

Jardins des Curiosités, Lyon
  • Lyon may be a tricky 1.
  • It quite a large metropolis, developed & presenting some issues of the larger metropolises (traffic, safety, pollution).
  • Even so, more than 80% of its inhabitant would recommend it to someone willing to move.
  • Another city with such high recommendation ratio is Strasbourg.
  • Strasbourg is an eastern France city, rapidly developing, close to the German border & highly integrated in the European development.
  • Meaning that the Lyonais (Lyon’s inhabitant) are highly confident in the attractiveness of their city.
  • It is still considered 1 of the best alternatives to Paris is you want to live in a metropolis.
  • Wherever you are a domestic or a foreign investor.
  • Multiple European & International have installed a division or a subsidiary in Lyon.
  • Lyon is a large metropolis which knows how to adapt to remain attractive.
  • Not as much as the emerging cities & town but more than the other metropolises.
  • Many entrepreneurs & experienced professionals, especially foreigners, may want to turn to Lyon for bigger businesses opportunities.

The case of Annecy: to keep in mind

Annecy
  • Annecy possess an ideal geographical localisation.
  • The atmosphere & Climate are some of the best in France.
  • Unemployment is very low.
  • Buying power is very high.
  • This is partly due to the fact that a consequent wedge of its population is working in Swiss where salaries are globally higher.
  • Other Cities/Towns by the German/Swiss border function on a comparable model.
  • This capital injection tends to rise Real Estate’s prices but also population creating to the aforementioned snowballing effect.
  • So, we may see a rise of the Construction sector in Annecy in the upcoming years.
Annecy
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Ever thought about Teleworking in France?

You can do teleworking anywhere.
Why in France?

  • The Very nature of Teleworking does not attach you to any country.
  • Why choose France then?
  • In many countries Managers, HR directors & executives have acknowledge it, and it is great.
  • In France, the State has acknowledged it.
  • In a press release released on March 16, 2020, the Ministère du Travail (Ministry of Labour) declared that 4/10 jobs in France are now compatible with teleworking.
  • Not should, nor could, ARE.

80% of HR Directors & Managers want to implement Teleworking in the long term.

  • Teleworking will improve work conditions in the long run.
  • A fourth of the employees may become Teleworkers for 2 days a week in the near future.
  • Teleworking is an opportunity to reduce costs & gain in productivity says the majority of French HR Directors.
  • Why?
  • They realized employees adapt fast to the agile method of project management.
  • Almost 2/3 of them are convinced that the Informatics/Logistics costs will be minor and largely compensated by the gains in Real Estate occupation & upkeep.
  • They also consider that Teleworking will boost their attractiveness while allowing them satisfying their customers more easily.

How will it be implemented?

  • Most HR managers propose the redaction of a Charter (charte de télétravail).
  • This Charter will fix the practices & procedures to adopt in order to prevent the most important issues of Teleworking:
    • The reduction of belonging feeling.
    • The reduction of cohesion.
    • Psycho-social risks.
  • A rotating system, on a 2 days a week basis, should help to prevent most of these.
  • Other measures, such as a personal monitoring, and on-the-job support & feedback are also in preparation.
  • Most of the functions in companies can be turned into the Teleworking process in the near future.
  • Although, there is 1 domain where Teleworking will be difficult to implement: logistics.

The New Management

  • Managers will be implemental in the implementation of teleworking.
  • A shift from management per task, judged too rigid, to management per objectives is already viewed as necessary in the current business development.
  • According to managers in french industries & B2C businesses teleworking could be the greatest opportunity to develop new product management & marketing practices attuned to the end consumers needs in terms of reshaping.
  • Marketing professionals from Orange Business Service already declare that management via teleworking would be a definitive way to attract & retain customers, namely the inner customer: the employee.
  • According to managers & executives the economy of resources (e.g. time & money), the synergy between planning & implementing help employees to do more and therefore see the end-goal sooner.
  • Teleworking is a door to more meaning-visible work.
  • According to multiple Work Barometers realized since 2015, more than 70% of the French population wants to work at home.
    • Managers & executives have begin to acknowledged it.
  • More than 90% of HR responsables interrogated know that teleworking will crack open the actual managerial practices to give birth to new ones.
  • The managers post-Covid will become a skills-developer.
  • This will be achieved by developing Competence Charters & increasing feedback between executives & team members as well as dialogue between services.

Remote working & Teleworking

  • You’re convinced you want to become a Teleworker in France?
  • Now you need to know which sectors & jobs are about to see this change happen the fastest.
  • Generally speaking, IT, Finance, Law, HR & Marketing are more encline to be executed remotely.

Sectors

  • The principals sectors that will experience Teleworking in France the fastest are Digital Marketing, Web/Mobile development, Machine Learning, Financial services, and many other IT based services.
Web/Mobile Development & Machine Learning
  • Web/Mobile & Machine Learning software Developer.
    • These jobs benefit from a huge leverage for teleworking since they are highly sough after (‘metier en tension’).
    • Furthermore, the nature of the job allows you to telework more easily.
  • UX/UI Designer
    • The same goes for the App Designer.
    • Wherever it is prototype creation, tests, feedback implementation, all that is required is reliable communication tools for the job to be exercised remotely.
Digital Marketing
  • Community Manager
    • The Brand ambassador.
    • Engage & animate communities.
    • One of the most “teleworkable” jobs.
  • Digital Artist
    • Realizes the commercial bundle.
    • Naturally inclined to teleworking, as a contractor or as an employee.
  • Web Editor (‘Rédacteur web’)
    • Responsible of the editorial content of the brand.
    • Coordinates the creation of the content published on the official website.
  • Translator
    • That’s an integral part of marketing.
    • It takes a lot of culture & context knowledge to perform a proper localization campaign.
    • Translators, you are marketers.
Financial services
  • Accountant
    • The computerization of documents & the development of tax/accounting softwares has transformed the accounting profession in less than 20 years.
    • The closing of the annual accounts, preparations of tax returns or pay slips can now be carried out remotely.
  • Actuary
    • Ever dreamed of becoming a risk manager?
    • The actuary is specialized in corporate risk management.
    • Often practiced in insurance, finance & strategy, this profession is open to remote work, if you have a few years of background.
Online Teachers
  • Because you have to learn all these skills.
  • And if you have the knowledge already, you’ll need more.
  • Wherever it is a Trainer, a Mentor, or a Coach online service become plentiful.
  • You can access courses via platform such as Udemy or Skillshare, but many Teacher have their own course & their own private group.

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Ever thought about Working in France?

  • Want to work lesser hours, more focused, more intensely?
  • Wish you had more time for your friends & family while developing a side business?
  • Want to change of atmosphere?
  • Think your skills are under-appreciated where you live?
  • Move to France.

An Outline of the article:

  • Work-Life Balance
  • 35 hours work week
  • Where to Work?
  • In Which Sectors?

Work-Life Balance

  • Will your work-life balance be any different if you move to France?
  • Ultimately, it depends on you.
  • But if you’ve decided to move it must mean that you intend to make it happen.
  • Maybe you moved for transportation fluidity, which will make you save an extra hour every day.
  • Maybe for a better atmosphere, which will grant you a better health & will allow you to save time & money on medical treatment.
  • Maybe you’ve adopted a minimalist lifestyle when moving which will ,again, allow you to save time & money.

35 hours work week

  • What would you do if you had an extra 5 hours every week?
  • An extra hour every day?
  • Spend more time with friends & family?
  • Start a side project?
  • Yes, you can.
  • And you don’t even have to cut another hour of leisure time.

Where to Work?

  • In Paris, Marseilles or Lyon?
  • Yes, you can.
  • Although the 3 biggest cities of France are less & less sough after.
  • The reasons?
  • Pollution, criminality & congested traffic.
  • Maybe the same reasons why you quit your country in the 1st place.
  • If you want to have a glimpse of the French Metropolises, you could always live in the suburbs, or just out of the center.
  • There are also options like Aix, Bordeaux or Dijon, which offer more reasonable housing options.
  • Working in Western France?
  • French people want to work in Western France.
  • Why?
  • Unemployment is low, and it decreases.
  • The train & aerial web is consistant & effective.
  • This is true for most of France, but even more so in the West.
  • The degree of integration of young people in the market is higher.
  • The median wage is high.
  • Regions such as Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Pays de la Loire & Bretagne are more & more attractive to French people.
  • Bretagne(Brittany), has long been a favorite of travelers, especially British, and foreigners who wished to install in France.
  • Today Rennes is 1 of the top choices for French people & people from abroad alike.
  • If you prefer a bigger city & warmer climate Bordeaux, the capital of Nouvelle-Aquitaine would suit you.
  • If you are fine with something more temperate & prefer a calmer, smaller place, Angers is for you.
  • Example of western french Cities & Town you may consider: Lyon, Grenoble, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Annecy, Chambéry, Tours et Clermont-Ferrand.

In Which Sectors?

Transportation, Logistics & Supply chain:

  • The Cariste (Forklift operator) manages merchandises stocks (transportation, checking & quality control).
  • The Agent de fabrication (processing agent) is managing the conception of products mainly in automobile, plasturgie, electrical/electronic appliances, automotive & aeronautics.
  • Conducteurs de poids lourds (truck drivers) is another job where offers explode.
  • Finally, Techniciens de maintenance (service technicians) is the job category that recruits the most.
  • All these jobs are now qualified as ‘metier en tension’, or highly sough after jobs.

B2B Marketing:

  • Customer Success Specialist, this one requires a sense of information flux management, managing the balance between marketing & adds, but also knowledge of financial services.
  • Community Manager, this 1 will be sough after in the domains of Marketing & adds, of course, but also Local Branding, PR, and Sports.

Civil engineering, Construction & Real Estate

  • These jobs will be in demand because New Cities (e.g. Strasbourg) are emerging & metropolises (e.g. Lyon) are growing.
  • There is another reason.
  • In certain parts of France, real estate becomes inappropriately over-priced.
  • The solution? Build new buildings & sell them.

Agriculture & Food engineering.

  • This is where you’ll find some of the Frenchest jobs such as Viticulteur or Sommelier.
  • But also Ingénieur agronome as well as œnologue.
  • Central France invests heavily in Food engineering, especially town like Angers.
  • More & more universities & institutes are specialized in Agriculture & Agro-engineering.

Machine Learning & Cyber Security

  • If you’re already a computer scientist/engineer, a programmer or a software engineer you will integrate easily to the market, wherever you are in AI or not.
  • Know that France is 1 of the biggest investors in machine learning, probably the 1st in Europe.
  • So, if you’re honing your Python & Tensorflow/Keras skills, France could be the country for you.

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13 Specialties of Bourgogne-Franche-Compte you need to try

  • La Sauce.
  • Sauce au beurre, wine sauce, jus de viande, you’ll find that everywhere in French gastronomy, but that is in Bourgogne that’ll find it the most.
  • Just in case you forgot where you were, they put Bourguignon in the name of every dish served.
  • Same goes for Comtoise.
  • Stewed dishes & Simmered dishes?
  • You’ll find both of these in Bourgogne-Franche-Compte.

The Dishes:

  • Bœuf Bourguignon 
  • Cancoillotte
  • L’escalope de veau comtoise
  • Escargots de Bourgogne
  • Fondue Bourguignonne
  • Galette comtoise
  • Gougères
  • Griottine
  • Mont-d’or
  • Pochouse
  • Potee Comtoise
  • Poulet de Bresse aux Morilles
  • Saucisse de Morteau

Bœuf Bourguignon 

  • The pride of Burgundy.
  • Bœuf Bourguignon is a stew (‘estouffade de bœuf’) cooked in red Bourgogne wine.
  • The core of the dish is nicely diced Bœuf à braiser & Bacon.
  • Add to this raw vegetables: bright carrots, big onions & intense Garlic.
  • A variant consist of adding mushrooms cooked in butter.

Cancoillotte

  • Cold or hot, on tartines or dressed over potatoes the Cancoillotte will not leave you indifferent.
  • Generally sold in small 250g pots, this little creamy cheese is perfect for those who look for a low-carb cheese loaded with proteins.
  • Made out of Metton(another cheese), butter, milk & salt the Cancoillotte is one of the most convenient cheese.
  • Enjoyed by people who don’t especially like cheese since it has a neutral taste.

L’escalope de veau comtoise

  • L’escalope de veau is a wonderful piece of veal & Franche-Comté.
  • 1st, it is delicately pan-fried with lots of butter.
  • It is then covered with smoked cured ham (‘jambon cru’) and grated Comté cheese.
  • Both the cheese & ham enhance the strength of the meat.
  • Finally, the escalope is topped with a cream & mushroom sauce.
  • Many different types of mushrooms are used.
  • The most popular are morels, chanterelles & champignons de Paris.

Escargots de Bourgogne

  • Les Escargots de Bourgogne are the most popular variety of snails preparation.
  • Prepared with the Helix pomatia, or Bourgogne sauvage, & a sauce called Beurre d’escargot.
  • Le Beurre d’escargot is a mix of melted butter, to which is added minced persil, scallions, garlic & pepper.
  • Generally consumed on Christmas & other celebrations.
  • The recipe is will be customized.
  • Don’t hesitate to ask the Chef for their personal version, they’ll surely have one.

Fondue Bourguignonne

  • Fondue Bourguignonne is 1 of the simplest dishes of this list, and somehow 1 of the tastiest.
  • Put dices of strong red meat in boiling oil & voila.
  • Ask for a fondue sauce, if they don’t serve one.
  • The most common accompaniment for Fondue is Mayonnaise & its 2 variations: Tartare sauce (with capers, persil & pickles) & Aïoli (with garlic).
  • Fondue can be also be accompanied with Sauce au céleri (celery, nuts & lemon) or Sauce tomate aux anchois (anchovies, tomato paste & olive oil).
  • There is even a sauce made of tomato paste & whisky.
  • Generally served with rice or french fries.

Galette comtoise

  • La Galette comtoise looks a lot like a pie.
  • It is 1 of the few French ‘tartes’ that is closed, meaning its garniture is hidden under its crust much like British & German pies.
  • It can also be found under the name ‘galette bisontine‘ or ‘La galette de Goumeau’.
  • Made of milk, sugar, butter & flour, as usual, its peculiarity resides in the Fleur d’Oranger.
  • La Fleur d’Oranger is an arôme used in many French pastries (e.g. Madeleines) used to give the cake a specific taste.
  • In this case it reinforce the Brioche-like taste of the Galette’s crust.
  • Many recipes add ‘creme pâtissière’ (a cream similar to custard) to the mix.

Gougères

  • The Gougères are choux salé.
  • Much like the cream puffs you know, but filled with cheese.
  • The cheese traditionally used is Gruyère (Swiss cheese) sprinkled with Muscade.
  • Although these fantastic little puffs can accommodate Comte, Reblochon, Emmental, Mimollette & many others.
  • Newer versions will also embed Charcuteries & various types of herbs (e.g Herbes de Provence).
  • The recipe is highly customizable.
  • Again, try then in multiple restaurants & bistrots to have a bit of the many variations.

Griottes & Griottine

  • Griottine is a beautiful cake.
  • This is type of cake you’d like to marry.
  • And you probably will, because you’re drunk.
  • Griottine is the name of the cake but also the Liqueur used to make it.
  • Obtained by macerating Griottes in kirsch, local cherries, the Griottine serves as the core of the recipe.
  • The cake is made of soft & intense dark chocolate.
  • Griottes can also be consumed as is.

Mont-d’or

  • Bearing the colloquial name of the Jura’s mountain, the Mont-d’or is a royal cheese.
  • Cooked in the oven as is, in tartiflette, or even consumed raw with a slice of bread, the Mont d’or a versatile cheese.
  • Le Mont d’Or also known as ‘Vacherin du Haut-Doubsone’ is 1 of the most sought-after cheeses of France since it is only produced during a limited period.
  • It is made from August 15 to march 15.
  • It is then commercialized September 10 to May 10.

Pôchouse Bourguignonne

  • Pôchouse Bourguignonne, Burgundian Fish Stew, is an ‘estouffade de poisson’.
  • Slowly cooked in white wine with vegetables, bacon & thyme/bay leaves, la Pôchouse should satisfy every fish enthusiast.
  • Many local river fishes are used in its confection such as eel, pike, sea bass, or tench.
  • Generally served a sauce made of flour & butter, very similar to a Béchamel sauce.

Potée Comtoise

  • Onions, carrots, potatoes, leeks, turnips & cabbage.
  • Nothing particular?
  • Thyme, Pepper, Laurel, Olive oil, Chicken stock.
  • The seasoning is pretty basic too.
  • What makes this stew memorable is the Sausages used in its confection.
  • La Saucisse de Morteau & la Saucisse de Montbéliard will be the unique flavor of this dish.
  • Sometimes ham (‘jambon sec fumé du Haut-Doubs’) will be added to the mix.

Poulet de Bresse aux Morilles

  • Poulet de Bresse is the glory of Bresse.
  • One of the plumpest chicken, fat & with thin bones it will give you the most meat for money.
  • The morels (‘Morilles’) are only here to sublime it.
  • The sauce is a mixture of butter & fresh cream.
  • Also, the chickens are red, white & blue.
  • That’s funny.

Saucisse de Morteau & de Montbéliard

  • It began thousands of years before modern gastronomy.
  • During the last millennia emerged a Sausage.
  • A Sausage that would soon become the symbol of a people, of a country.
  • That’s the official version.
  • Smoked with softwood, seasoned with cumin, The Montbéliard is generally eaten after having been poached.
  • If you prepare it yourself, but if it isn’t be sure to cook it before eating.
  • Same for the Morteau.
  • In the oven, in the skillet or on the BBQ it’s always a success.

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8 Specialties of Rhones-Alpes-Savoie you need to try

Disclaimer: Most of the dishes you will experience here are Potatoes, Charcuterie & Cheese.
Heavy, creamy, ample cheese.
If you want to live a long & healthy life do not read the rest of this article.

What are the formidable specialties to come?

  • Beaufort
  • Gratin Dauphinois
  • Fondue savoyarde
  • Noix de Grenoble
  • Raclette
  • Tartiflette
  • Reblochon
  • Tomme de Savoie 

Beaufort

  • Many part of France are made of cheese.
  • But Alpes-Savoie must be one of the cheesiest parts of the country.
  • The greatest variety of Gruyère, or Swiss cheese as it is also known.
  • The Beaufort has won the name of “Prince des Gruyères”.
  • Many Alpines cheeses will be describe as Fruity or Nutty.
    • The Beaufort is both, and therefore is goes well with fruits, especially grapes, & nuts.
  • Because of its slight sweetness is can be baked in Tartes, Souffle, Fondue(more of that to come) & even in waffles.

Gratin dauphinois

  • What a dish.
  • Finely sliced blanched Potatoes & Heavy Cream.
  • Embellished with a thin coat of grated cheese.
  • That’s quite the contrast.
  • The Gratin dauphinois is the potato at its finest.
  • Many other dishes in this list will drown the potato’s taste under cream, cheese & charcuterie.
  • This one does not.
  • Here, the potatoes are the cream.
  • If you want to enjoy potatoes with only a little bit of garnish & spices this is the dish.
  • Subsequently, the potatoes should be cooked with more care.

Fondue savoyarde

  • When you place a large variety of cheeses in a hot pot & it turns into the savoriest lava.
  • Usually multiple cheeses are used.
  • If you’ve never tried a Fondue Savoyarde before we recommend something neutral such as Comte, Beaufort & Emmental,
    • These 3 are fruity enough, and not too strong to begin with.
  • Put your little cube of bread on your fork & dive into the pool of cheese.
  • Fondue can contain white wine, ask for an alcohol-less version if necessary.

Noix de Grenoble

  • Is it a dish?
  • It may as well be, you can eat it just like that & it will be satisfying.
  • Cultivated on the borders of the Isère since the XIth century, it was already a delicacy.
  • Used in the confection of Confitures, Crèmes de noix, Crèmes aromatiques, and other confectioneries such as Nougat.
  • The oil will add an original taste to your salads, tartines & pastas.
  • It is even used in the fabrication of Mustard.
  • The Noix de Grenoble pairs perfectly with regional cheeses.
  • It goes also well with honey & chocolate.

Raclette

  • La Raclette is the Dish.
  • Melted cheese on potatoes.
  • And as you roll these potatoes in, you make the raclette flow.
  • Raclette is the festival food, because raclette is a festival.
  • Aromatic, salty, sweet, pungent, raclette is the cheese of the Alpes.
  • The texture of the raclette cheese is smooth, soft, creamy and firm, hard and slightly crumbly.
  • It comes with lots of charcuterie : ham and saucisson, and rosette, and salami & so on.
  • Sometimes they will be served with herbs, garlic & pickles(cornichons).
  • You could also go for more unusual garnishes such as truffles or tomatoes.

Tartiflette

  • Savoyard gratin composed of soft potatoes, roasted bacon, minced golden onions & heavy cream.
  • The tartiflette can be freshen with a selection of aromatic herbs: persil, coriandre, cerfeuil.
    • Ask for these if you want a greener version.
  • Covered with Reblochon this gratin is one of the most memorable dishes of the region.

Reblochon

  • Quite the fatty cheese.
  • Produced with a milk coming from second milking, or fattier, giving it its creaminess.
  • ‘Reblocher’ means in French to pinch the cow’s udder a second time.
  • Supple, soft & unctuous with a nutty after-taste the Reblochon is piece of choice on your plateau de fromage.

Tomme de Savoie 

  • A Cheese that tastes like Butter.
  • Originally, la Tomme de Savoie was made with the skimmed milk remaining from butter’s fabrication.
  • Therefore, it is quite lean compared to many other French cheeses.
  • This peculiarity made its popularity even at an European scale.
  • As with many other French cheeses the milk used in its fabrication comes from its region.

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10 Specialties of Alsace you need to try

  • Cheese, potatoes & meat.
  • Little cakes, tasty ginger bread & massive brioches.
  • Alsace gastronomy is savory, diverse, the portions are consequent & the dishes will make you ask for more.
  • As it is 1 of the nicest regions you’ll want to stay there, sit at a table, just eating.

What are the formidable dishes to come?
What are the Alsatian specialties?

  • Flammekueche
  • Baeckeoffe
  • Kouglof
  • Pain d’épices
  • Spaetzle
  • Bredele
  • Beerawecka
  • Mannala
  • Munster
  • Choucroute garnie

Flammekueche

  • ‘The Flammekueche is very much like a pizza’, are tired to hear many Alsaciens.
  • It is a way to compare the 2 dishes but only if you like pizza with no tomatoes.
  • For the Flammekueche is a fine tart, embellished with cream, onions & smoked bacon.
  • Sometimes will be added a thin veil of local cheese.
  • It is truly a fine piece of french cuisine, and one of the most delicate dishes of Alsace.

Baeckeoffe

  • ‘It looks like a stew.’ and you’d be right to think that.
  • Although the Baeckeoffe is longer to come, much longer.
  • It generally requires many, many hours of preliminary preparations.
  • Tender lamb meat cut right off the shoulder, a bed of lofty potatoes and baby carrots & onions.
  • Olive oil, drizzled on their bodies.
  • And all that bath in white wine with the best hostesses, Tarragon & Rosemary.
  • To enjoy hot with a fresh, crispy salad.
  • The fruity white wine is core to many Alsatian dishes, but you can opt for an alcohol-less version.

Kouglof

  • Kouglof (or Gugelhupf) is largely regarded as the Alsatian Brioche.
  • And in a country were brioches & cakes are half of the dishes that means it is extraordinary.
  • For a Brioche.
  • In the shape of a small castle it is one of the best looking traditional pastries you’ll find.
  • Much like a Panettone it can be garnished with Nuts, Candied fruit & Chocolate.
  • Generally you’ll find it vanilla, all fluffy & moist.
  • If you can find one that was prepared in an enameled clay mold (‘moule en terre émaillé’), that’s even better.

Pain d’épices

  • Ginger bread? But this one is different.
  • You may have had some ginger bread, you know about cinnamon, the molasse, maybe there was some syrup in it.
  • This one is not crunchy, it’s moist.
  • And it is drenched with honey.
  • Rye flour, honey & spices: cardamom, anise, nutmeg, cloves, you name it.
  • That’s the traditional recipe.
  • But the cinnamon pinch comes from the Alsatian version.

Spaetzle

  • ‘They’re shaped like a sparrow’ or they should be.
  • A Spaetzle is a little Spatz, or a ‘little sparrow’.
  • Generally served with sausages & swabian-style lentils, these little pastas will make everything right.
  • And by that I mean that they’ll remind you of your childhood noodles.
  • You can also find them in salad for a lighter version.
  • Go for traditionally made Spaetzle as they are thicker & rounder.
  • The commercial version will be disappointing, and are definitely not shaped like sparrows.

Bredele

  • Cookies or petit fours.
  • They may seem unremarkable, but they are cookies.
  • You can eat cookies elsewhere, but wouldn’t it be great to try cookies everywhere you go?
  • There’s a plethora of them: anis, confiture, citron, spirals, chocolate Spritz…
  • Everything that brings back Christmas everyday.
  • 1 of the most remarkable are the Noisettins, Bredele with an hazelnut embedded in the middle, the crunchiest & nuttiest one.

Beerawecka

  • Now that’s a loaded cake.
  • Schnaps, quetsche & liqueur de mirabelle.
  • If you’re going out for a drink you may want to eat this instead.
  • The Beerawecka is a small cake filled with candied & dried fruits drenched in alcohol.
  • Much like an energy bar that would make/get you drunk.

Mannala

  • Mannala or ‘little people’ in Alsatian are milk breads.
  • These little ‘pain au lait’ people are embedded with chocolate chips & coated with sugar.
  • The ultimate small brioche, since it’s human-shaped.
  • If you like Brioches & you like Humans, do for them.
  • There’s much more to say, but I prefer to eat them.

Munster

  • The Alsatian Cheese from the Munster valley.
  • This powerful soft cheese (fromage a pâte molle) is often eaten raw or accompanied with a strong red wine.
  • You could also opt for a slice of bread.

Choucroute garnie

  • Laaaa Choooucrouuute gaaarnie!
  • If you’ve ever been to France you know that Alsace is Choucroute.
  • That’s kind of a cliche actually, I don’t know if Alsaciens like it so much.
  • The Choucroute or Sauerkraut, as you may know it, is fermented cabbage.
  • As you may not know, the Alsatian version may be cooked in beer or white wine.
  • And, that’s it!
  • Choucroute + Sausages + Charcuterie + Potatoes = Happiness.