Expat in Paris: Settling In and Finding Your Bearings

Moving to Paris is an adventure: exciting, and sometimes disorienting. Culture shock, the language, the distance from loved ones, the paperwork, the bearings you have to rebuild: many people go through all of this without always saying so. I lived abroad for 16 years myself, and I know what it means to start over.

Here are a few simple, practical ideas to help you find your place, at your own pace.

Updated on 28/10/2026

Get to know your surroundings

When everything is new, it’s reassuring to explore your neighbourhood, have a coffee on a terrace, find your local bakery, a few nice restaurants, your park, the community support networks near you. These small rituals gradually turn an unfamiliar place into a familiar one.

Look after yourself, your way, at your own pace

Yoga, meditation, reading, walking, sport, time in nature (even in the middle of the city), music, creativity… Choose whatever truly helps you unwind. Some people add sophrology or hypnosis to help them relax. If you’re in the 15th arrondissement, the Parc André-Citroën, the Square Saint Lambert, the Petite Ceinture promenade and the Île aux Cygnes are all places to catch your breath, a stone’s throw from home. The Bal Blomet is also the go-to spot for jazz and blues fans…

Let the city help you catch your breath

Paris isn’t all hustle and bustle. At weekends, let yourself be guided by whatever soothes you:

• Quiet museums, such as the Orangerie and its Water Lilies, or the Rodin Museum and its gardens
• Slow walks: the banks of the Seine, the Trocadéro, the lanes of Montmartre, the quiet benches of the Palais-Royal, the Jardin du Luxembourg, Les Invalides
• Sensory experiences: a ceramics, drawing, photography, watercolour or calligraphy workshop, a concert or a play, a dance class by the Seine…

Remember to check opening times before you set off.

Make connections

Arriving in a new city can feel like a solitary adventure. There are plenty of ways to meet new people:

• InterNations Paris: an expat community that organises meet-ups and interest groups.
• Meetup: groups for expats and internationals, for outings, drinks and language exchanges.
• Alliance Française Paris Île-de-France: French courses at every level. You learn the language there, and you meet other newcomers. The City of Paris also has a dedicated page on learning French.
• The American Library in Paris: a large English-language library, with author talks and cultural activities.
• WICE: a volunteer-run, English-speaking association offering cultural events, classes and social activities for the international community.
• Support forums (for example the Expat.com forum dedicated to Paris): useful for practical questions, best read with a pinch of salt.
• Associations and clubs: sport, photography, dance and volunteering are excellent ways to meet people around a shared activity.

Would you rather find a Spanish- or Italian-speaking community? Look for groups in your own language on these same platforms.

When adapting is hard

Changing country shakes up a lot: you lose your bearings, sometimes your role, your habits, your loved ones. It’s normal for it to be hard going, even when the move was your choice. If you feel it’s getting difficult for you, talking to someone can give you support, strength and energy to adapt to this new life.

I offer individual sessions in English, French, Spanish and Italian, in the 15th arrondissement of Paris or online.

Talking about it in the language you think and feel in is so much easier and more pleasant.

Find out more about support for expats.

For a first chat or to book a session:

Explore Further

• Manage Stress in Paris: 3 Simple Everyday Habits
• The FAQ: what you need to know before your first session