Practical Paris

Having a baby in France (part 2)

Here is part 2 of our article about having a baby in France. Part 1 was about products (https://www.fusac.fr/having-a-baby-in-france-part-1) and Part 2 is about resources: groups, apps and books that could be useful if you are having a baby in France!

Being a parent is not always easy and it can feel quite lonely if you don't have enough support. It can be even more difficult if you are an English speaker having a baby in France! The support group Message started in 1984 with a few young English-speaking mothers wanting to connect with others for support in raising their children while living away from local customs, traditions and family. In the past 35 years, it has grown into a vibrant and thriving community of parents who continue, year after year, to support one another, share openly, forge new friendships, and build bright futures for families in France. You can join as an individual (50 euros for a new member) or as a family (70 euros) for 12 months. Message runs hu…

Moving to Paris or France

Moving to Paris

So you are moving to the city of light! Good news! However, Paris and the French organization in general can be painful for the unprepared. Several Japanese tourists moving to Paris have suffered the so-called “Paris syndrome” - a shock after discovering the difference between the dream city they imagined and the reality of Paris. For example unsafe streets (compared to Japan perhaps, but Paris is not unsafe compared to many other cities), a crowded metro and administrative hassle. The following guide lists some frequent questions newcomers ask when moving to Paris or France.

How to find an apartment?

First, choose the area! Paris is divided into arrondissements from 1st to 20th, often written in roman numerals:

I, II, III, IV, V, VI are very central, with mostly old pre-Hausmann Parisian buildings. They are well suited for wealthy students or workers, but don't even imagine parking a car.VII, VIII, XIV, XV, XVI and XVII are usuall…

Break in?! Pickpocketed? Emergency?! Bike stolen?!

Was your apartment or vehicle broken into? Your bag or car stolen? Your home tagged with grafitti? We certainly hope not, but sometimes it is necessary to make a police declaration for theft or damage. The good news is that you can do a pre-declaration online and avoid waiting at the commissariat. Not only will you save time by not having to personally go to the station and wait in line, you can also fill out the form calmly in your own home with a dctionary handy and without pressure to speak French. Once the pre-declaration is transmitted you will be contacted within 24 hours by a police agent who will process the complaint then ask you to stop by to sign (within a month) and finalize the complaint. www.pre-plainte-en-ligne.gouv.fr I can personally vouch for the efficacity of this system. I used it when my bike was stolen. It makes making a complaint quite simple and stress free and thus encourages actually &…

Hôtel Marignan – a new “all inclusive” package for families

From stay-at-home to vacation without missing a beat

Hôtel Marignan, a Parisian family-owned hotel, proposes a new “all inclusive” package for families looking for good value on a trip to Paris

To encourage tourism in Paris after months of confinement, and to make it possible for families to visit Paris in the best conditions, the Parisian family-owned hotel, Hôtel Marignan, offers a new all-inclusive package for clients who would like to visit Paris economically. The hotel offers rooms for from 4 to 5 people with private shower and toilette for 135€ for four guests and 145€ for five guests, including breakfast and all of the hotel’s services. All clients have free use of an equipped kitchen, a washing machine, a clothes dryer, equipment for babies and young children…And, the hotel accepts ANCV vacation coupons.

Reservations: reserv@hotel-marignan.com / +33 1 43 54 63 81

www.hotel-marignan.com / www.hotel-marignan.com/blog/

www.facebook.co…

Pregnant in France

This is the first of a three part series of article about being Pregnant in France

If you've just found out your are pregnant or thinking about having a baby in the near future, we've compiled for you some practical info on the different steps to follow in France. It can be overwhelming at first so in order to have a peaceful pregnancy, it is best to take one step at a time!

What should I do after I take a pregnancy test and it is positive? First of all, congratulations! It is the beginning of a beautiful and intense journey! The first thing to do is to go and see a doctor in order to confirm the pregnancy with a blood test. My personal preference is an appointment with a mid-wife (sage-femme) rather than a regular doctor as she can perform an échographie de datation (dating ultrasound) so you can hear the very first heartbeat if you are at least 5 or 6 weeks pregnant. I was about 7 to 8 weeks pregnant when I saw a mid-wife for the first time and was so p…

Bicycle theft and BICYCODE

Bicycle theft and BICYCODE As we head into this new period where new bike lanes are popping up like dandelions many people will be buying bicycles, many will also be stolen and resold. Bikes are stolen way too often and it is likely to increase in the next months. Be sure you lock them up tight with two quality locks. Cable-type locks don't withstand the test of an equipped thief. U-locks are the best rated and will hold up longer. Add a fixed frame lock to be even better protected. Be sure to lock your bike to something solid and fixed as well. Position the lock on your frame - not on the wheel - and try to place it as high up as possible (50cm from the ground) so a thief doesn't have easy leverage. Many bike racks are not well conceived and only allow you to lock the front wheel to the rack, these are best avoided as they are pretty much useless. Lock your bike inside a hallway or garage or bike room as well. Most bikes are stolen during the day, in busy places and from insid…

NEWS from Anglophone Paris community businesses and organizations

Many businesses and organisations of Anglophone Paris have new information to share concerning their operations during COVID-19. To help you find your way around, FUSAC is bringing this information together in one place for free.

The rubrique Community News and Covid-19 allows anglophone Paris to get the word out about how they might be impacted during the pandemic -- modified opening hours and/or reopening dates, social distancing protocol, new services, special offers, delivery / pickup options, outreach to the community, etc. Click the link today to what your favorite or local English speaking businesses and professionals are up to and how they are adapting.

Make a post for your activity: The Community News and Covid-19 rubric is a good place to share crucial information about your Anglophone Paris business or organization during these changing times and the good news is the listings are free of charge. To post your message all y…

Routine and ritual two words to focus on when stuck at home

Ideas for things to do inside and help rhythm the day because having structure is very important.

Alternate concentrated activities with physical ones. Be sure to get up and move. Having the same order each day is beneficial and helps the time pass. Have both discipline and flexibility. Routine and ritual. For everyone, especially children routine is reassuring. When you've lost your old daily routine create a new one.

Cook:

American in Paris Charlotte Puckette who is a caterer and cooking teacher shares some recipes to make for your family. Here's a chance to experiment, learn something new and teach cooking skills to the kids.

Sesame Peanut Noodles with 5-Spice Marinated Duck (or Beef) from Charlotte Puckette Read:

See our suggestions each week in the Online Book Room. Before ordering online contact your local bookshop, many of them have been working very hard to keep their businesses alive and they are now delivering to you…

Moving in France?

This article is about moving WITHIN France, if you are moving TO France see our other article. www.fusac.fr/moving-to-paris/

A very practical website offered by the French Public Service allows you to officially update your address with public service and administrations when you're moving in France. In one fell swoop and a few clicks you can inform the EDF, vehicle registration, tax, social security, carte vitale, retirement, unemployment offices and other administrations of your new address.

Plus this form works not just for moving in France and your physical address but also for updating:

email address,landline phone number,mobile phone number

They call this service The Teleservice of Service Public.

You'll need certain ID numbers (client numbers, social security number, carte grise...) to complete all the info required on the form. Check on the site first then gather the necessary from your bills or ID cards. Start by looki…

Understanding the Municipal Elections in France

First: what is a Municipality? In France a municipality is referred to as a « commune ». The French word commune appeared in the 12th century, from Medieval Latin « communia », meaning a large gathering of people sharing a common life; from Latin « communis », things held in common. It consists of the municipal council and the executive which is the mayor and deputy mayor. The mayor, elected by the councillors, is solely responsible for the administration. But he can delegate some of his functions to one or more deputies. In Paris there is a council for the whole city and for each arrondissement. The term hôtel de ville designates the building which houses la mairie. The terme mairie designates the communal administration since the Révolution of 1789. In smaller towns mairie is used for both the building and the administration. Who is elected in the Municipal Elections in France? All French municipalities will elect their local councillors for 6 years all at the same time. Cou…