I first looked into a trottinette (what the French call the platform-with-wheels-and-a-stick electric scooters) in January 2020, in the throes of yet another transportation strike (oh, for those good old days when strikes were our big problems!). I wasn’t alone. … Continue reading
Author: Stephen Heiner
To Know the Place Again for the First Time: TAIP’s Soft Reboot
Eight years and one week ago, I penned my first ever blog post on a website I called The American in Paris. It talked about my plans to leave the US and some of my thinking that led me to … Continue reading
How to Get Free Money for Your New Electric Bike in France
One of the aspects of life in French that is perhaps underappreciated by its citizens is the number of benefits on offer at any given time. Sure, the French will brag to you about all that’s available, but often, they … Continue reading
French Tax Season Concludes
It’s that time of year when French accountants have closed their offices, put do-not-disturb autoresponders in their email inboxes, and have fled town to relax. Tax season is over. I never expected to write so much about taxes on this … Continue reading
Firing SFR Mobile
This is the unwitting third in a series of “firing” articles. Once you realize that it’s definitely more difficult and hence, more satisfying, to fire service providers in France, you are far more willing to do so. Some time ago … Continue reading
My Change of Heart on Picard
In December 2015 I authored a (perhaps too indignant) piece slamming the frozen food chain Picard (and even questioning its raison d’etre). It’s Spring 2021 and I have to take back at least some of my words due to a … Continue reading
USPS to France? Be Prepared to Wait
Covid-19 has shaped many parts of our lives in the last 12 months. One way that wasn’t entirely expected (at least not by me) was the performance of the United States Postal Service. While the USPS has never been a … Continue reading
A French Telemarketing Experience
During my time in France I’ve gotten a few telemarketing calls. Once, my internet company SFR called offering a slightly better version of the home internet plan I already had. The call lasted maybe 15 minutes in total and I … Continue reading
20% off Courses until the End of 2020
If you’ve been considering buying my courses on the Long Stay Visitor or Profession Libérale paths to living and building a life in France, I’ve created coupon codes that are good until December 31st, 2020. Simply click one of the … Continue reading
Flying During Lockdown
While many of my planned trips this year evaporated in the spring, there were still some trips I chose to take for business and personal reasons. During a brief window in the summer when PCR tests weren’t required, I went … Continue reading