Month:

🕰️ In the Middle Ages, the streets of Paris were littered with waste, excrement, and stagnant water. Despite laws requiring residents to sweep in front of their homes and build latrines, enforcement was minimal. Early sewers emptied directly into the Seine, which was also a source of drinking water.

🏛️ During the 17th and 18th centuries, street cleaning became a profession, supported by taxes on waste collection. Yet, Paris remained dirty, and complaints were widespread.

🚧 In the 19th century, Haussmann’s urban reforms were a game-changer. A modern sewer system was developed, along with significant sanitary improvements. However, the 1832 cholera outbreak exposed glaring inadequacies.

🗑️ In 1884, Prefect Eugène Poubelle revolutionized waste collection by requiring garbage to be placed in designated bins—later named after him! While this marked progress, the cleanliness of Paris remains a point of contention today.

🌍 What if everyone did their part? Cigarette butts, cans, and dog waste still too often end up on the sidewalks. A small individual effort could make a big difference in preserving Paris’s charm.

📞 Are you an expat looking to better understand local customs or make your move to Paris smoother? Contact us today for personalized support in your integration and to discover all that France has to offer!

📋 One of the first essential steps upon your arrival will be to register yourself (and your family) with the French social security system. Here’s how health coverage works for you and your dependents:

👔 If you are employed:
• You will be covered retroactively from the start date of your employment in France.

• For your family:
👩‍❤️‍👨 Your spouse will be covered starting on the date the health insurance office receives the registration application.
👶 Your minor children will be covered retroactively from your employment start date.

🏠 If you are not working:
You and your family will be covered based on residency, which involves a three-month waiting period. This means you will only be eligible for affiliation and medical reimbursements after three months of stable residence in France.

📞 We are here to answer any questions and guide you through the social security registration process.

🍷 “Sire, I need more chefs than diplomats.”
This famous quote by Talleyrand, uttered at the Congress of Vienna following Napoleon I’s first abdication, underscores a key insight: French gastronomy could serve as a powerful tool in delicate negotiations to advance the interests of a weakened France.

👨‍🍳 The grand dinners orchestrated by Talleyrand’s legendary chef, Carême, dazzled kings, ministers, and ambassadors alike. With an abundance of refined dishes and exquisite wines, each guest was charmed by the art of French dining… “Give me good chefs, and I will secure good treaties.”

🕯️ These lavish feasts were a subtle form of “soft power,” designed to create a positive atmosphere and elevate France’s standing. In a relaxed, convivial setting, conversations flowed more freely, often leading to revealing exchanges…

🔍 Talleyrand skillfully leveraged these interactions, with his attentive staff discreetly capturing valuable information. Each insight became a strategic asset for the next day’s negotiations.

📞 Are you moving to France and looking to fully immerse yourself in French culture while easing your integration?

Contact us today to start your relocation journey and discover everything France has to offer!