10 Things You Need to Know BEFORE Going to FRANCE

That blouse is beautiful on you, KJ !

I am not one to get physical exams as I rely on natural remedies to stay healthy. If I refuse the normal screenings for women, do you know if that will that disqualify me from obtaining health insurance in France? Thanks in advance! 🙂

I am not one to get physicals or health screenings for women as I prefer to rely on natural treatments and food as medicine. With that in mind, do you know if refusing to have health screening tests might disqualify me from obtaining health insurance in France? Thanks in advance!

I am not one to get health screenings for women as I prefer to rely on natural remedies and food as medicine. With that in mind, do you know if refusing to have a health screening might disqualify me from obtaining health insurance in France? Thanks in advance!

Accurate, detailed, timely. Excellent links to more info. I'm not a fan of this couple, so..the rating of this episode is fact-based. Recommend highly.

KJ and Tony, Still welcome your honest thoughts and courage in your other channel. Your voices are very important to us. Thanks From Jan J.

Street and metro performers - buskers - need a license to perform publicly in France and have their "spot" ! It's a profession unto itself. You apply to the government, perform for a board, and get licensed! The only people "fighting" for turf are the unlicensed buskers. Next time, look for their licenses. They're supposed to be displayed at all times.

Thank you. I was wondering if you used your American health insurance or if you bought the "gap" insurance in France. Debby in Kansas

Great video! Thank you both!

So sorry that my comment was repeated so many times! It was erased multiple times on my end, so I eventually gave up and posted my comment/question on one of your other videos. Thanks for your response. 🙂

Great tips! The right of protest is written into the French Constitution, and they certainly hold fiercely to that right! 
Although French healthcare is universal, it isn't totally free. You are reimbursed 70% of medical fees, with the exception of some major illnesses such as cancer and diabetes which are covered at 100% Therefore, most French purchase top-up insurance from a "mutuelle" to cover what the government doesn't pay. Also some physicians have opted out of the universal system, and if you consult them they charge much higher fees. This tends to be true for super-specialists. Essentially, there is a two-tiered system like in the UK and other European countries. For example my GP charges the standard 25 euros/office visit and I'm reimbursed 17. The gastroenterologist charges the standard specialist fee of 60 euros, but the ophthalmologist retina specialist has opted out and charges 90. Your choice if you want a doctor who is "conventionné sans dépassement d'honoraires," or someone in the private system. Hope this clarification helps.

What part of Paris was the apartment you were going to rent? What area did you decide on?

Strikes can interfere with services such as transportation, etc. Visitors and residents alike might need a Plan B. They can happen at any time, but it might be possible to research the seasons when certain types of strikes are more common. Can you also comment about labor unions (which go hand and hand with strikes/protests). Unions are not as strong in the U.S. as in France, so that could be a culture shock to some.

Love your blouse and beautiful red nails, looking very "french"!

french health insurance is not free stop drinking the liberal koolaid, have you seen the income tax rate of france? you forgot to mention that. its literally more than double what middle class americans pay.

A healthcare tip: Sign up with Doctolib. If you need to make a doctor's appointment in a hurry it will help you find a GP in your area, often on the same or next day. Data from lab tests and doctor's appointments in general are often shared here. (not all physicians use Doctolib, though it is very widely used)

I for some reason thought you were looking to purchase an apartment once you decided where you want to live. We want to buy a unit when we make our move in under two years from now.

You could have gotten around a lot of renting difficulties through "Garantme". They provide this service. A lot of foreigners use them. Not expensive.

Happy Monday, KJ/T! Excellent, informative video. Are you going to Paris or Nice first? Thought you were going south immediately? The weather will be sweet in either city soon. Hi from Wisconsin 🍺 😊

I also think it's fun' learning to speak a different language! 🥖☕ Even a bit here & there! 💗

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K J & Tony Thank you so much ! I live in a city where there are alot of french sppeaking people ! My husband speaks French & Italian & that has helped us both so much! Thank you for all the helpful information ! It is much appreciated !

You are both very charmants,

You are going to love Nice...One of my favorite cities and my husband was born there! I lived in Aix en Provence for 4 years and Bordeaux for 10...Don't forget those! So much to discover in France. My first weekend away with my husband was to 3 countries...Villefranche-sur-mer, Nice France, Monaco and San Raphael Italy! It was awesome so try it!!!

FYI: Un Peu is pronounced and usually said, Un petit per. Your video was very good. Actually here now. I have been many times, but I have to say it has gotten a lot harder, the travel experience itself from flying to arriving in the city and just getting around. The metro has gotten crazy. I guess my age has really affected my ability to live this very fast life.
I do live in Los Angeles so I am use to a pretty hectic life. I am here visiting my nephew who is studying here for a semester. This could be the last trip to Paris and it’s sad as the city is very magical.

The one thing I need to know before going to France is to not go to France. 😂

It is really time consuming and difficult to get a license to busk in France. And Spain is even worse. I have spent hours in municipal offices, applying and waiting and getting nowhere as it wasn’t my primary source of income and I didn’t have a designated spot. So I have up as I was just a tourist.

I'm moving to France next month starting in Paris. In researching ways to meet people and integrate into the culture, I learned that Paris' beautiful public parks/gardens have volunteer programs. I'll be looking into this more after I get settled. Thanks for all your helpful videos!

Street demonstrations seem to be a part of everyday French life. As you say "No big deal." Protests in the form of strikes are more disruptive and more likely to affect both residents and tourists - eg certain streets closed off due to garbage accumulating, transportation, medical services etc.

Most statements are true, but there is always a misunderstanding of European "Universal healthcare" with Americans. It is not free, you have to pay premiums calculated on the basic annual net cash income of one of the family members. The other family members are then also insured free. For the co-pays you subscribe to a so called "Mutuelle".

The physical exam is required as part of the visa - it has nothing to do with French healthcare insurance. It is essentially to make sure you are healthy and to provide assistance if you are not. There is no "pass/fail." Also, as someone else noted, if you are not employed in France, you will have to pay into the social security system based on your income. To get a longterm visitor visa, you will need to pre-purchase private emergency health and repatriation insurance in advance. Doctors, labs, tests and medicines and typically much less expensive in France, even if you pay out of pocket. Once you apply to be in the French medical system, it can take several months to years (based on reports from fellow expats) to get your Carte Vitale.

I’ve been to France 3 times and have always found the French to be helpful and welcoming with only a few exceptions. I love Paris but would not live in the city even though there is so much to do and see. I have family in the Marseille area and have thought about a long stay somewhere in between.

Brave people are the most Inspirational 👏

I love your videos and follow your journey in France. Please what is the name of the plant behind you.? I’m making some changes in my Family Room and love your plant. Thank you !

A quick comment about #9 separation of church and state -some of their national holidays are old religious holidays (Assomption Aug. 15, Pentecost and Ascension in May), etc. Congratulations on your very helpful and nice blog!

Always enjoy watching you both. Would you be willing to share more information about the insurance company you chose? Thank you.

Hi, Thanks for your very informative content. Just curious, after the novelty wears off how hard an adjustment is it to make living in a french world? Where everything around you is french, TV, news, cultural differences, sports, language, etc;

You are pronouncing “Un peu” wrong…it’s not “on poo”, you will be corrected in France when you say things. I get corrected all the time. I have been living in France for 3.5 years. French is not an easy language but the French will appreciate that you are tying. It’s too bad that we didn’t get a chance to meet, when you were here.
The reason they eat later is because of a few reasons, one is in the summer, it’s hotter and No AC. Apéro time is a big thing in France, usually happens in the early evening around 6 to 9 pm before dinner. The idea is to stimulate the appetite, but not ruin dinner. There’s no time limit either. 😊
Protesting is a life here and you will always know when and where, because they have to get a permit in order to have it….the reason why they protest is because they don’t get to vote on policies.
So, will the two of you try again?

You have it a few more things to do for long term residency, after you have your physical for your residency card, doesn’t mean you have a permanent residency. You still have to get your visa every year or 10 years depending on what they give you and then you have to apply for a social Security card, that’s what allows you up to have health care in France. It can be a long slow process and always make sure you keep duplicate records because they might lose them and ask you again for them. You also will need to speak at an A level speaking in French for permanent residence.

Just off the top from a French American living already 21 years in France, do not join expats groups, join French group and mingle in the adjustment will be super . No comparison to me as I was French before coming to live here.

Thanks for the great videos. Just to add a note about Paris apartments, it took me about 2 months to find an apartment I liked in Paris but I was picky. In my case, I used a company called GarantMe to get a place in the 14th arrondisement, with rent over 2100€ per month for a 2BR. I sent them all my financial docs and they guaranteed my financial solvency to my landlord. The "guarant" gets added to the apartment lease and is basically an insurance policy. The reason for all of this is that evicting a non-paying tenant out of an apartment is a long process so landlords want tenants to ideally be salaried, working in a French company and to have a French bank account, both of which I don't have.

Incredible piano in the train stations

"Protests in France are usually peacful." Well, it all depends. Every time there are protests, they are accompanied by rioters who couldn't care less what the protests are all about. All they are interested in are violent activites and destruction. Tourists or bystanders don't usually become targets but if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time, you could end up getting hurt.

KJ and Tony, I’ve commented on your channel before. For some reason, I’m so drawn to the both of u. I’m so happy that you’ve taken the time to get to know French people. I’m French, living in San Diego, and my husband (American) and I are going back to France in about 3 years. J’espère vous rencontrer à Paris.

Good morning. When you applied for your first long stay visa, did you have to provide original birth/marriage/divorce certificates or just copies of the aforementioned? Thanks in advance.

I have a degree in French literature and speak well enough. I know all of the protocols , but that doesn’t mean anyone is going to be nice to me. I just got back from a two week trip to France. They get a D- in customer service and an A+ in making life more difficult . I see so many videos on how I should act as an American. I’m extremely gracious . I say Bonjour. I’m not loud . I do all of it because I’m familiar with the culture , but one thing I could not do is move there and adjust to a constant complaining and frowning society . Many love throwing shade. You know, the egocentric ones. That’s universal . If I throw shade back , that’s suppose to earn respect. I don’t want to do that. I’m too old for that 😂 and to adjust to another culture. I like smiling and I like having a positive attitude . I like being nice and not being an asshole.
I will continue to visit France on vacations , but as soon as I get home, it makes me more and more grateful to live where I do. Where I live, smiling at strangers doesn’t mean I’m suspicious or I’m about to pickpocket you. It’s just a positive way of acknowledging your presence without saying hello. I will smile at people until I die because i Want to . I will never do it in France! 🤣 . Kudos to you for being able to tolerate the paperwork and constant hoops you must jump through to make a life there. I would be exhausted .I’m already trying to preserve what’s left of my ever dwindling youth. The stress you are encountering would age the crap out of me.

The street performers in France sounds street performers you find in New York City.