As with many things involving French bureaucracy, when I received my vie privée et familial visa, the process was not truly over. In addition to coming back to pick up my titre de séjour, the administrator told me that I’d … Continue reading
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 a Long Term Stay Visitor Visa (VFS and Covid-19 edition)
Note from the editor: In light of new guidance on remote working in France as shared by the official French tax office in June 2025, we have also officially changed our stance on remote working for a US company while … 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
How to Apply for the Passeport Talent Visa
Americans have had the Profession Libérale and Long-term Stay Visitor statuses closed for application from the US for some time now due to Covid-19. Other countries do have these options available and Americans who have had legal residence in other … Continue reading
An Introduction to CAF (Caisses d’Allocations Familiales)
A friend of a friend told me that Shelby would be studying in Paris some time ago and we met and took a walk around Paris and hit it off. She ended up doing some work for me as well … Continue reading