Moved to France, or staying in France and want to make new friends? Whilst French people sometimes have a reputation for being aloof, it’s really not the case – but they are much more traditional in their outlook than some cultures. In France etiquette and politeness are valued and so it may feel that it takes longer to make friends. It’s actually quite easy if you make a bit of an effort and know a few key tips for great ways for expats to make friends in France – and of course I’m going to share them with you!
Join a club
France is clubland – pretty much every town and village hosts a club of several and there even more options in the bigger towns and in cities. Even where I live in very rural France, a village of 152 people, there are lots of clubs from gardening to art classes, fitness, sports and all sorts – there’s even line dancing! There are also very specific and sometimes unusual clubs for instance in Boulogne-sur-Mer near where I live there is a Charles Dickens appreciation club as the writer used to live there. Anglo-French clubs are quite common too, called café polyglottes. Many French people are keen to learn English so there are plenty of opportunities for you to practice your French while French people get to practice their English.
Volunteer
Voluntary opportunities are plentiful in France and if you’re an animal lover, then helping out at animal refuge might be just the thing for you. The main refuges like SPA which are all over France, often offer dog walking slots or time with the animals, and there are multiple private refuges that always need help.
You might be able to help at a school – I’ve volunteered to help kids practice their English at a local French lycée (secondary school) and college. It’s a great way to also practice your French at the same time.
In rural areas like mine, there are lots of get togethers throughout the year and some of them are really great for volunteering – from the annual street cleaning event where we all wander round with largely empty bin bags because there’s hardly any rubbish to pick up, to the annual regional straw sculpture contest where locals form teams to compete to outdo each other with straw creations!
Meet the locals
There are plenty of opportunities to meet local people, especially in rural areas. In all of the villages in my part of France there are several annual get togethers, the harvest party, Christmas, New Year, Easter, Bastille Day and more. The armistice day remembrance service is held in all towns and villages and is taken very seriously here. In my village, the mayor reads out the names of those who gave their lives in war and always includes the name of a British soldier who died in World War II and who is buried in the local cemetery.
Joining in these local events helps you to meet your neighbours in a really positive way.
Pretty much every get together is followed by a vin d’honneur, a glass of wine offered by the mayor – it’s a great chance to catch up with your neighbours and it’s really appreciated by the locals if you try to fit in.
Attend cultural events
France loves its culture. There are literally thousands of museums and art galleries in France from the big state sponsored museums to smaller village art exhibitions. If there’s an opening of a new exhibition, why not pop along, I promise you your efforts will be well received. You’ll find heaps going on from waiters races in the local town to roving theatre groups, musical recitals and more.
Planning a new life in France?
A great source of information for finding property, and getting help to move to France from visas to financial advice and everything you need to make a smooth move – the French Property Show, held in April and October offers personalised advice from experts.
Get your free ticket from the Good Life France at: frenchpropertyshowticket
Janine Marsh is the author of several internationally best-selling books about France. Her latest book How to be French – a celebration of the French lifestyle and art de vivre, is out now – a look at the French way of life. Find all books on her website janinemarsh.com
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