So in France you receive a tax bill for the current year based on what you were assessed the previous year. You then pay that bill in payments so that by the time that year’s taxes are due, you will ostensibly be … Continue reading
OFII for Prof Lib
It was 07h40. “I’m early,” I thought, and decided to stop in for a quick breakfast. It was a patisserie on rue de la roquette, halfway between Bastille and my 08h00 appointment that morning. My thoughts flashed back to my … Continue reading
Profession Liberale Visa: Part 2 (90 Days Later)
Ninety days after you obtain your profession libérale visa, assuming you have done everything correctly after that momentous day at the prefecture, you will have a number of new documents to present to the Prefecture for your follow-up visit. Chief … Continue reading
Don’t Buy the Paris Pass
I really think that Americans in particular don’t leave enough unscheduled, unstructured “white space” in their European travels. They run around, convinced that they will never return, and so they have to see everything. I know. I get it. That … Continue reading
Book Club: Eiffel’s Tower, by Jill Jonnes
“But there’s no such thing as Paris without the Eiffel Tower,” said my friend Florence the other day. Locals have complicated views about the tower of iron, but perhaps she is right. But the beginning of pondering that question should … Continue reading
The Kind of Afternoon You Want to Lose
Matt was standing outside — about to message me — but I spotted him through the window. I was working at Le Poncelet, my favorite cafe in the 17th, the arrondissement I spent my first year in Paris in. I … Continue reading
The Expat Visits “Home”
If you’ve built a full and rich life someplace before coming to Paris, visiting that place is much less a “vacation” than a carefully and meticulously planned series of meetings, appointments, coffees, and meals. Throw in the occasional doctor/dentist visit … Continue reading
The US Visit: Tips & Tricks
I’m just returning from my fourth visit to America after relocating to France, and I thought I might share some tips and strategies to help you when you make your flights back. Consider Flying Out of London The fares are … Continue reading
How to Get a Same Day US Passport (in Los Angeles)
One of the challenges of living in Europe is that you may get your passport stamped a lot. I say may because there are times I’ve traveled through four countries and never been asked for ID, much less a passport. But … Continue reading
Book Club: A Year in the Merde, by Stephen Clarke
I read a lot of books about Paris and France before moving here and I’ve only recently realized I might do well to share them with you. So, I’ll start with an old favorite. It was the second week I … Continue reading