Paris Inside Out : The Insider's Handbook to Life in Paris

by David Applefield

ISBN13: 9780762705948

ISBN10: 0762705949

Format: Trade Paper

Pub. Date: 2000-01-01

Publisher(s): Globe Pequot

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Summary

Paris Inside Out combines comprehensive practical information with firsthand insider advice to help you cut through the red tape, sort out the details, and adjust to the rhythms of Parisian life. Packed with priceless tips on how to survive the cultural confusion and thrive in the City of Lights, Paris Inside Out is a must-have for anyone who plans to live in Paris for a week, a semester, or a lifetime. Book jacket.

Author Biography

David Applefield, an American writer originally from Boston, has been living and working in Paris for nearly twenty years. He is the author of two novels and two Paris guidebooks, and he writes articles on cross-cultural issues

A Word on the World from Here: Paris in 2005	p. xiii
The Author's Credo for Survival in Paris	p. xix
Introduction	p. 1
Paris Statistics	p. 2
Religions	p. 3
Ethnic Mix	p. 4
Most Common French Names	p. 4
Common References to France and Its Institutions in the Press	p. 4
Common Symbols of the French Republic	p. 5
French Elections/Terms in Office	p. 5
Converting Measurements and Sizes	p. 5
Commas vs. Decimal Points	p. 6
Survival Tips	p. 7
Holidays	p. 8
Work Week	p. 9
Vacation Time	p. 9
Calendar of Public Holidays, School Vacations, and Other Special Days in France	p. 10
Climate	p. 13
Geography	p. 15
France's Political Arena	p. 16
Early Questions and Decisions	p. 23
French Consular Offices	p. 24
Maison de la France (French Government Tourist Office)	p. 24
The Alliance Francaise	p. 24
Franco-American Chambers of Commerce	p. 25
If You're Still Trying to Decide If Moving to France Is a Good Idea	p. 25
Early Legal Questions Concerning Your Status in France	p. 27
An Early Tip from the U.S. Consulate in Paris	p. 32
Summing Up Your Gains and Losses	p. 33
Legal and Administrative Matters	p. 35
General Comments	p. 35
Entering France as a Short-Term Visitor	p. 37
Entering France as a Student, an Extended Visitor, or a Resident	p. 37
French Embassies and Consular Offices around the World	p. 38
The "Category of Status"	p. 39
Carte de Sejour	p. 41
Carte de Resident	p. 48
Other Cases Requiring Extended-Stay Visitor Status	p. 49
Businesspeople	p. 49
French Nationality	p. 50
Summing Up	p. 51
Travel and Tourism	p. 53
Gateways in North America	p. 54
Distances from Paris	p. 54
Arriving in Paris by Plane	p. 55
Arriving in Paris by Train/French Railroad SNCF	p. 61
Customs and Entry Regulations	p. 64
Student Travel around Europe	p. 64
Traveling in Europe by Train	p. 66
Other Ways of Getting around Europe	p. 67
Government: What Embassies and Consulates Can and Cannot Do for You	p. 69
Contacts of American-Citizen Services of the Embassy in Paris	p. 70
Registering at Your Embassy or Consulate	p. 70
Services Provided by the Office of American Services	p. 71
Passport Renewal	p. 71
Special Consular Services	p. 72
What Consular Officers Cannot Do for You	p. 74
Obtaining Documents	p. 75
Being Born in France	p. 76
Getting Married in France	p. 78
Selected Consulates and Embassies in Paris	p. 80
Cultural Awareness	p. 83
Overview	p. 83
The French Language	p. 83
Greetings	p. 89
Farewells	p. 90
Going Out/Dating/Dining	p. 91
Sexuality	p. 92
Drinking	p. 95
Smoking	p. 95
Drugs	p. 96
Parties	p. 97
Common Abbreviations	p. 98
Children	p. 99
Animals and Society	p. 101
The Emerging Urban Landscape	p. 104
Safety and Security	p. 104
Police, Law, and Authority	p. 109
A Word on Terrorism	p. 110
Housing and Accommodations	p. 113
Where to Live in Paris	p. 113
A Word on the Banlieues	p. 118
The Chinatowns of Paris	p. 119
Housing Options	p. 122
Relocation Companies	p. 126
Street Signs and Addresses	p. 127
Finding an Apartment	p. 128
The French Apartment	p. 134
Renting a Room with a French Family	p. 136
Cite Universitaire	p. 138
Doing Laundry in Paris	p. 139
Hostels in Paris	p. 140
Moving In	p. 141
When You're Moving Home	p. 142
Students Moving to Paris	p. 143
Picking a Moving or Shipping Company	p. 143
Storage Facilities	p. 144
Shipping Excess Baggage	p. 144
Duty-Free Imports	p. 144
A Recent Update on Paris Property Values by Area	p. 145
Health and Insurance	p. 149
The French Health System	p. 149
Health Insurance/Assurance	p. 154
Urban Transportation and Driving	p. 159
The Metro and RER	p. 159
Buses	p. 168
Paris Tram	p. 170
Taxis	p. 170
Cars/Driving	p. 171
Motorcycles (Motos)	p. 178
Bicycles	p. 178
Auto Parts/Used Parts	p. 178
Driving Schools	p. 179
Banking and Money	p. 181
The Euro vs. the Franc	p. 181
A Few Early Questions	p. 183
Opening an Account	p. 185
Credit Cards	p. 187
Transferring Funds from Abroad: Getting Cash Fast	p. 188
Telecommunications and Media	p. 191
The Public Telephone Booth and the Telecarte	p. 192
01 and 1	p. 192
Number Prefixes	p. 192
Rates	p. 193
Call Back and Alternative Companies	p. 194
Long-Distance Phone Cards	p. 194
Prepaid Telephone Cards	p. 194
Cell Phones	p. 194
Getting Directory Information	p. 195
Country Codes Most Often Dialed	p. 196
City Codes Most Often Dialed	p. 196
Telephone Skills in French	p. 197
Minitel	p. 197
France Telecom's Wanadoo and the ADSL Modem	p. 198
Internet Cable Connection Providers	p. 198
The Post Office (La Poste)	p. 198
Media	p. 201
The Press	p. 207
Computers in Paris	p. 208
Working in France	p. 215
The Work Culture	p. 215
Working in France and the U.S. Embassy	p. 218
Part-Time Student Employment	p. 221
Other Situations That May Grant Working Status	p. 222
Finding Work in France	p. 222
Understanding French Taxes	p. 228
Tax Accountants and Consultants in Paris	p. 229
Applying for Jobs	p. 231
Keeping the Workplace Legal and Safe	p. 231
The Dismissal Process	p. 232
Teaching	p. 232
A Business Service	p. 232
A Final Way of Obtaining a Work Permit	p. 233
Unconventional Freelance Ideas	p. 233
Studying in France	p. 235
Student Visa Procedures	p. 235
Education: Understanding the French System	p. 237
French Schools	p. 239
American and English Schools in Paris	p. 241
Bilingual and Transition Schools	p. 243
Kindergarten and Nursery Schools	p. 244
Art and Music Schools	p. 245
Other Resources for Students	p. 245
Salon de l'Etudiant	p. 246
French-Language Schools	p. 246
MBA and Business-School Programs in Paris	p. 254
Other Classes in Paris	p. 255
Other Sources of Information	p. 255
Official Translators and Interpreters	p. 255
Foreign and Exchange Programs in Paris	p. 259
Alumni Associations	p. 259
Arts and Culture in Paris	p. 261
Annual Events	p. 261
Museums in Paris	p. 264
Galleries	p. 268
Cinema/Film	p. 269
Paris and the Performing Arts	p. 274
The Literary Scene	p. 281
Bookstores	p. 282
Libraries (bibliotheques)	p. 286
Sports and Recreation	p. 291
University Sports	p. 292
Exercise and Sports	p. 293
Selected Sports Contacts in the Paris Area	p. 297
Parks	p. 298
Children in Paris	p. 299
Culinary Paris	p. 303
Cafe Culture	p. 303
Shops, Markets, and Foods	p. 306
Restaurants	p. 317
A Note on Weight	p. 320
American Food	p. 320
International Cuisine	p. 321
Fast Food	p. 322
A Word on Pizza a la francaise	p. 323
Typical Dishes and Special Foods	p. 324
Cooking Schools	p. 325
Wine	p. 325
A Selection of Cafes, Bars, Bistros, and Brasseries	p. 329
Consumerism in Paris	p. 333
Open-Air Markets	p. 333
Flea Markets	p. 334
Other Remarkable Markets	p. 335
Marjolaine	p. 335
Fashions and Shopping	p. 335
Rentals of All Sorts	p. 339
TVA (Value Added Tax)	p. 339
The Tabac	p. 340
Mail-Order Catalogues	p. 340
To Order Tickets for Concerts, Theater, and Sporting Events	p. 341
Returns and Refunds	p. 341
Anglo-American Clubs and Organizations in Paris	p. 343
Religious Organizations	p. 351
Resources	p. 355
Paris Web Information	p. 355
Useful Telephone Numbers	p. 359
Information Available to the English-Speaking Community	p. 360
Expressions/Slang	p. 361
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

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Paris Inside Out : The Insider's Handbook to Life in Paris

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eBook

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Paris Inside Out : The Insider's Handbook to Life in Paris

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eBook

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