The culture of France has been shaped by geography, by historical events, and by foreign and internal forces and groups. France, and in particular Paris, has played an important role as a center of high culture since the 17th century and from the 19th century on, worldwide. From the late 19th century, France has also played an important role in cinema, fashion, cuisine, literature, technology, social science and mathematics. The importance of French culture has waxed and waned over the centuries, depending on its economic, political and military importance. French culture today is marked both by great regional and socioeconomic differences and strong unifying tendencies.
Weather in France
France generally enjoys cool winters and mild summers except along the Mediterranean where mild winters and hot summers are the norm.
Average winter temperatures range from 32° F to 46° F and average summer temperatures from 61° F to 75° F. For the most warmth and sunshine go to the south of the country. The Provence and Languedoc regions are characterized by mild winters and blisteringly hot summers.
Along the north and central regions, Paris has cool and fairly rainy winters, though summers here are usually hot.
Winters are a lot colder in the eastern regions of Alsace-Lorraine and in the mountainous regions of the Alps, the Pyrénées, and the Massif Central.
Cost of living in France
The French capital, Paris, is among the top ten most expensive cities in the world especially when compare cities like Bangkok. Living here offers up a huge amount of opportunity for great culture and cuisine – but it comes at a cost. However, if you look beyond the capital, prices start to fall dramatically.
Choose to live in Nantes, for example, and you’ll find that rents – a huge driver of your overall cost of living – are under half the price of those in Paris. Similarly, Marseille is one France’s cheaper cities but still has a huge amount to offer. Or get off the beaten track and leave the cities behind entirely for an even lower cost of living.
General living expenses
Living expenses in France excluding rent | Paris average cost | Nantes average cost |
Single person, per month | €860 | €704 |
Single person, per year | €10,320 | €8,448 |
University student, per month | €658 | €530 |
4-person family, per month | €3,106 | €2,543 |
4-person family, per year | €37,272 | €30,516 |
Housing & Rent
Renting in France | Average monthly cost – Paris | Average monthly cost – Nantes |
One bedroom apartment, city center | €1,085 | €502 |
One bedroom apartment, outside of city center | €807 | €391 |
Three-bedroom family home, city center | €2,245 | €968 |
Three-bedroom family home, outside of city center | €1,490 | €830 |
Internet | €26 | €26 |
Utilities – gas, electric and water for a 85m2 apartment | €155 | €116 |
For more detailed cost of living in the France, please click here
International Schools
41 rue Pasteur,
92210 Saint-Cloud,
France
Co-educational, Day, Pre-Preparatory, Preparatory, Senior, Sixth Form.
Read more about American School of Paris
252 Rue Judaïque,
33000 Bordeaux,
France
Co-educational, Day, Nursery, Pre-Preparatory, Preparatory, Senior, Sixth Form.
Read more about Bordeaux International School
245 Route les Lucioles,
06560 Valbonne,
France
Co-educational, Day, Nursery, Pre-Preparatory, Preparatory, Senior, Sixth Form.
Read more about Ebica: ICS Côte d’Azur
418 bis rue Albert Bailly,
Marcq-en-Baroeul,
59700,
France
Co-educational, Boarding, Day, Preparatory, Senior, Sixth Form.
Read more about École Jeannine Manuel – Lille
70 rue du Théâtre,
Paris,
75015,
France
Co-educational, Day, Nursery, Pre-Preparatory, Preparatory, Senior, Sixth Form.
Read more about École Jeannine Manuel – Paris
23 rue de Cronstadt,
75015 Paris,
France
Co-educational, Day, Pre-Preparatory, Preparatory, Senior, Sixth Form.
Read more about ICS Paris
Customs Regulations for Returning Citizens
France is one of many European countries which shares some similar customs regulations. Will not quite as strict as countries like the United States and not as relaxed as Thailand, France does have its own very special import regulations for which you should be aware of.
That said, here are a few of the main points summed up for which you should be made aware of:
Importation of House Hold Goods
Used household goods duty-free if owned abroad for six months, if the owner is moving his principal residence to France, and the items arrive within one year from the arrival date reflected on the Change of Residence
Required Documentation
Following documents are required for import of household goods and personal effects into the France:
- Passport
- Original Visa, Residence and Work Permit (requirement may vary according to nationality)
- Certificate of Change of Residence obtained from the French Consulate with Customer’s signature indicating dates of stay abroad
- Attestation de non-cession (signed original stating Customer has lived abroad for at least one year, has owned all items for more than six months, and that goods will not be sold for twelve months)
- Proof of residence in France (Certificate of Residence, lease contract or utility bills)
- Letter of professional transfer from employer indicating date of employment abroad
- Valued inventory in French (valued in Euros) dated and signed by Customer — three copies
- Inventory must indicate contents of each carton
- List all electrical items separately (purchase invoices required) must show brand name and serial number
- Delivery address in France with access, floor, entry code if any
- For shipments to Port of Montoir, France, a Customs Clearance Mandate Special may be required.
For more detailed information, please view the full Customs Regulations Guide from FIDI. Please also contact one of our move specialists who are here to help you with importing your house hold goods into France from Thailand.
Motor Vehicles
A vehicle that is imported from outside of the European Union is required to undergo a series of tests performed by the UTAC (www.utac.com) at a cost of approx. Euro 1,600. Headlights and tires must also comply with European standards and customers must check in advance of shipping to determine any costs they will incur in having the vehicle meet those standards.
Pets
- Must be at least three months old
- Subject to quarantine
- Endangered species and exotic animals prohibited
- Pets should be accompanied by their owner with vaccination card and certificate of good health
For more detailed information, please view the full Customs Regulations Guide from FIDI. Please also contact one of our move specialists who are here to help you with importing your house hold goods into France from Thailand.
Transit Times and Ports of Entry
Sea Shipments:
Port of Entry | Transit Time | Customs Clearance |
Le Havre | 28-30 Days | 5 Working Days |
Fos Marseille | 30 Days | 5 Working Days |
Air Shipments:
Port of Entry | Transit Time | Customs Clearance |
TBD | TBD | TBD |