Vivir en París

Paris is the capital of France and is in the north-central part of the country. Paris is one of the eight departments of the Île-de-France administrative region. It is the most important commercial and cultural center of the country. The Île-de-France region is the most popular of France’s 18 regions.

In this blog, we talk about the city and the different aspects such as environment, culture, public transport, housing, and more. And lastly, provide you with some phrases to get you started. Keep reading for more!

City overview

People from all over the world come to Paris to enjoy its culture, food, art, fashion, and intellectual community. It also has many businesses and opportunities for commerce because of its fame as an attractive city. Paris’ impressive landscape features, bridges, gardens, historical buildings, public squares, and boulevards.

Paris was founded in 987 A.D. This makes Paris one of the oldest cities in Europe. It is even older than several countries in the world. In 2019, the city had an estimated population of 2,165,423 in an area of over 105 square kilometers, making Paris the 30th most populated city in the world in 2020.

Fun facts about Paris

Paris is referred to as the City of Light because it was one of the first cities to have street lighting installed in it.

The Bloody Mary cocktail was created in Paris.

The Paris Art Museum is the largest in the world.

It takes two hours’ worth of walking distance from the southern tip to the northern tip of the city.

The Eiffel Tower is the most valuable European icon.

The Paris metro is the second busiest in Europe when compared to other subway systems in the continent.

Entorno

Paris has a European oceanic climate which is influenced by the North Atlantic Current. The general climate is temperate/pleasant throughout the year. However, the weather can be very changeable/unstable, particularly in the winter and in the spring, when the wind can be very cold.

Summer days are generally warm and pleasant. The average temperature is between 15°C and 25°C and the sun shines brightly. However, there are a few days when the temperature exceeds 32°C. Sometimes there are also longer, more intense heat periods, for example, the heat wave of 2003, when the temperature exceeded 30°C for weeks, reached 40°C during the day, and rarely cooled down in the night.

Spring and autumn have cool days and nights on average, but they are changeable and unstable. Surprisingly warm or cool weather often occurs during both seasons. The sun is rare during the winter. The winter days are cool, and nights are cold generally with temperatures around 3°C above freezing temperature. However, light snow flurries are quite common, but temperatures rarely fall below -5°C. It snows every year but rarely stays.

Culture & Nightlife

Art

A lot of people think of Paris as a city of art, and they are not mistaken. Throughout history, France has been heavily involved in European art movements, and there is a lot of wonderful and famous art on its way through Paris. Even if you are not an art fanatic, it is quite fascinating to see some of the famous art culture that has emerged from this world capital.

When people think of Paris, they imagine its famous monuments. Paris has many breathtaking destinations with impressive architecture and design, and these places have become known for their beauty. The numerous photo opportunities are the most popular reasons for tourists, artists, writers, and bloggers to visit the ‘’City of Light’’ Paris. Thus, for those who want to learn more about the history and culture of Paris through masterpieces, Paris is a great place to visit.

Park and gardens

For a huge city like Paris, Paris is full of green spaces that break the suffocation of the metropolis. These beautiful gardens open the city up and are great stops on a day of exploration. You can run into a few central parks by

accident or pack your bag and go to another park further away to spend a day in nature. In general, the green areas in Paris are simply magnificent, and make the city very pleasant.

The plethora of major parks is one of the biggest reasons why families visit Paris. Plenty of space for family picnics and sports games. A stop at the park is a must if you are traveling with your family.

Fashion

Paris is a city where haute couture and trends have been created for centuries. Big brands like Chanel, Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Dior, and many others started in Paris. Paris is also known for the Paris Fashion Week, which is one of fashion’s most important days during the year. All the fashionistas know it, Paris is a must for all shoppers.

Paris has an overwhelming sense of classical culture mixed with elegant modernity and offers many shopping opportunities for tourists who want to indulge themselves. Whether you want to go shopping in some of the famous luxury stores or just pick up some lovely souvenirs, the city has it all.

The most famous shopping district of Paris is the Avenue des Champs-Élysées. This wide street is nearly 2 km long and is full of restaurants, cafes, theaters, and shops. Everything here tends to be fancier, so this is the place to be if you have some money to spend and want to fit in with the high-end fashionistas of Paris. Other high-end shopping spots include Rue Du Commerce, Triangle D’or, Boulevard Saint Germain, and Rue De Rivoli. Boulevard Haussmann is another place in Paris with great department stores.

Café culture

Café culture is rooted in Parisian society. Locals like to relax in a café with a drink and meet friends and colleagues or just spend time alone, this can be during a busy day, before work or even after work. The café culture has been a part of the Parisian lifestyle for centuries.

Paris has one of the strongest café cultures in the world. There is nothing more satisfying than sitting on a wicker chair in a Parisian café in the open air, drinking some coffee, eating croissants, and watching the Parisians go about their day.

Here is a list of some of the best cafes in Paris:

La Fontaine de Belleville: Classic Parisian style serving coffee, cake, and French food with live jazz bands on weekends.

Au Vieux Paris D’Arcole: This 16th-century townhouse serves classic dishes with antiques, stained glass, and an impressive interior

Le Fouquet’s: The hotel’s luxurious brasserie serves rich starters, main courses, and desserts as well as wine and cocktails.

Odette: An elegant stop for sophisticated cream puffs, pastries, wines, and a view of Notre Dame from the tables outside.

La Fourmi Ailée: Dozens of teas in a charming former bookstore with a fireplace and home cooking menu.

Vida nocturna

Paris is a wonderful city that benefits from a lively and varied nightlife scene. Whether you are only in town for a short time or have plenty of time to spare, there is plenty to enjoy in Paris after the sun goes down. Paris has a nightlife that can appeal to many tastes, so whether you are interested in visiting clubs, cabarets, bars or just want to experience Paris after sunset.

And do not worry if you are looking for alternatives to the Parisian nightlife or if you are not interested in visiting bars, nightclubs or cabarets, the city is beautifully lit up at night and there are plenty of sights to see after the sun goes down. If you want to spend your evening in Paris, you will certainly find something nice to do.

Cuisine

Without a doubt, the food is one of the main reasons to travel to Paris. French cuisine is on the list of the best cuisines in the world, and all foodies around the world come to France just for the food.

The French invented the prestigious Michelin Star rating system to show how good the food is, the rating system measures the quality of the world’s best restaurants. You do not have to eat at a Michelin Star restaurant to taste the French cuisine. There are a few French meals that you can find in restaurants at every price point.

Actividades

Paris is a versatile and sophisticated city that attracts the wealthy, but it can also be enjoyed on a budget. The city is full of activities, so no tourists staying here will be bored. Paris is home to countless wonderful sights and monuments that add to the beauty of its wide boulevards and its charming cafes. Therefore, Paris deserves to be on every traveler’s bucket list. Here are some of the famous places to visit while in Paris.

Eiffel Tower

Gustave Eiffel designed the Eiffel Tower, which is the most recognized symbol of Paris. The tower was constructed for the 1889 International Exposition, despite strenuous opposition from politicians who believed it would be unsafe or ugly or both. When the exposition ended in 1909, people planned to destroy the tower, however, its use as an antenna for radio transmission prevented this. Additional height for television transmission was added, almost 24 meters, to the tower’s original height. Climbing the Eiffel Tower is a must to appreciate the splendor of Paris.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame de Paris, also known as Notre Dame, has always been mentioned as a place where Parisians held their religious rituals. This is one of Paris’ most enduring landmarks, the Roman Catholic Cathedral lies on the eastern side of the Ile de la Cité. The cathedral is widely recognized as one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in France and Europe. Starting in 1163 and completed in 1345, the cathedral is worth a visit for its many sculptures and gargoyles adorning the roof.

Louvre Museum

The Louvre Museum is the most visited in the world. This historic building is in the heart of Paris and is a former royal residence with an area of 210,000 square meters, of which 60,600 is for exhibitions. The Louvre Museum occupies part of its four sides and its two galleries of the palace. The museum’s treasures include the Triumph of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo, and the Mona Lisa. The extensive collection includes works from at least 26 centuries and is widely spread culturally and geographically.

Arc de Triomphe

Fascinated by ancient Roman architecture, Napoleon commissioned Jean Chalgrin to design a triumphal arch dedicated to the glory of the imperial armies. It was built in the 19th century in 1806 and is the largest monument of its kind in the world. The Arc de Triomphe is at the center of Charles de Gaulle’s palace. The Arc de Triomphe is influenced by the Arch of Constantine in Rome and is twice as tall and twice as wide as the Arch of Constantine. Jean Chalgrin was the architect and François Rude designed the frieze and the spirited group “Departure of the Volunteers 1792” (called “La Marseillaise”).

Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris has two theme parks, namely Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios. Further, Disneyland Paris has resort hotels, a Disney nature resort, a shopping, dining, and entertainment complex, and a golf course. Opened in 1992, Disneyland Park is the original theme park of the complex. Walt Disney Studios Park is the second theme park which opened in 2002. Popular attractions are Space Mountain, It’s a Small World, and Big Thunder Mountain. Mickey Fans can visit Disneyland Paris, located 32 km from central Paris and connected to the RER A suburb.

Transporte público

Paris is an excellent city to explore on foot, however, it is almost inevitable that you will use public transportation at least once during your stay in Paris. In Paris, the public transport is well organized. The city has several options to get you from point A to point B. Here is a short overview of the public transport you could use during your stay in the beautiful city.

* The opening and closing times listed are for information. Check online for the specific times for your journey in Paris. For more precise times, you can also check the stations.

Metro

The metro is the cheapest, simplest, and fastest way to travel around Paris. The city has 16 metro lines and approximately 300 metro stations; the entryway is marked with a large yellow letter “M”. Subways start running daily, including holidays, at around 5:30 AM. and stop around 1:00 AM (Sunday through Thursday) or 2:00 AM (Friday and Saturday). The frequency of the subway depends on the time of day and the day: during peak hours, the subway runs every 2 minutes.

RER

The RER train network is composed of five lines serving Paris and the Paris region (Ile-de-France). Each line has a distinctive color which is indicated on the RATP and SNCF signs and maps. RER trains start to run around 5:00 AM and stop around 1:00 AM daily, including on holidays. In Paris, the RER works almost in the same way as the metro, except that you must pass the ticket through the machines twice, on the way in and on the way out. If your RER station is in correspondence with the metro connection, you can use the same ticket for the entire journey.

Regional train

In Paris, the Transiliens are local trains that leave from the main train stations (Nord, Est, Lyon, Austerlitz, Montparnasse, Saint-Lazare). Tickets and passes are available at the Ile-de-France ticket offices and ticket vending machines at train stations and metro/RER stations. Free brochures with timetables are available at train stations. The local lines complement the RER network, sharing many connections.

Tramway

Actualmente, París cuenta con doce líneas de tranvía que sirven el perímetro de la ciudad. Los billetes de tranvía son los mismos que los del metro y RER en París. A continuación se muestra la lista de las diferentes líneas de tranvía en la ciudad y sus conexiones. Los tranvías comienzan a circular alrededor de las 5:00 AM y se detienen alrededor de la 1:00 AM diariamente.

T1: Conecta Asnières-Quatre Routes con Gare de Noisy-le-Sec.

T2: Conecta Pont de Bezons con Porte de Versailles.

T3: La línea de tranvía T3 se divide en dos líneas, a saber T3a y T3b. T3a conecta Pont du Garigliano con Porte de Vincennes. T3b conecta Porte de Vincennes con Porte d'Asnières Marguerite Long. La razón de la separación es no interrumpir el tráfico de vehículos en Porte de Vincennes.

T4: Conecta Bondy con Aulnay-sous-Bois. Puedes transbordar aquí desde Gargan y viajar al Hôpital de Montfermeil.

T5: Conecta Marché de Saint-Denis con Garges-Sarcelles.

T6: Conecta Viroflay-Rive-Droite con Châtillon-Montrouge.

T7: Conecta Villejuif-Louis Aragon con Porte de l'Essonne. Esta es también la línea de tranvía que conecta con el Aeropuerto de Orly.

T8: La línea de tranvía T8 tiene dos ramales terminales. Esta línea conecta Saint-Denis-Porte de Paris con Épinay-Orgemont y Villetaneuse-Université.

T9: Conecta Porte de Choisy con Orly-Gaston Viens.

T11 Express: Actualmente, la línea T11 conecta Épinay-sur-Seine con Le Bourget. Sin embargo, existen planes para la ampliación de esta línea que conectará Sartrouville con Noisy-le-Sec.

T13 Express: Conecta Saint-Germain-en-Laye con Saint-Cyr.

Actualmente existen planes para ampliar las líneas de tranvía e incluir las siguientes líneas. Los planes están previstos para 2023.

T10: Conecta La Croix de Berny con Clamart-Place du Garde.

T12: Conecta Massy-Palaiseau con Évry-Courcouronnes.

Autobús

Existen muchas líneas de autobús y numerosos autobuses que circulan por el centro de la ciudad, lugares populares y monumentos históricos. París cuenta con 64 líneas de autobús que funcionan en paralelo y complementan la red de metro. El establecimiento de rutas de autobús especiales en las principales carreteras mejoró los tiempos de viaje. Puedes hacerte una idea del tiempo de viaje asignando aproximadamente 5 minutos a cada parada, a veces más en caso de tráfico intenso. Los autobuses circulan de lunes a sábado desde alrededor de las 6:00 AM hasta las 00:30 AM. Algunas líneas se detienen a las 8:30 PM. Casi la mitad de los autobuses operan los domingos y días festivos.

Servicio de autobús nocturno

El servicio de autobús nocturno Noctilien opera en París y la región de Île-de-France de 0:30 AM a 5:30 AM. Noctilien cuenta con 48 líneas de autobús en París y la región de Île-de-France para que todos puedan utilizar el transporte público. Puedes utilizar tu tarjeta de viaje o tu billete de metro/autobús si cubre las zonas relevantes; las zonas son las mismas que en el metro/RER.

Vivienda

Mudarse a París puede parecer una tarea desalentadora para los extranjeros. Probablemente hayas oído hablar de las quejas sobre propiedades sobrevaloradas, propietarios que no hablan inglés y la falta de alquileres a largo plazo. Aunque es cierto que encontrar un apartamento para alquilar en París es muy desafiante, hay pasos que puedes seguir para simplificarlo y aumentar tus posibilidades de éxito.

El primer paso es investigar la zona, familiarizarte con la geografía de la ciudad y conocer el mercado inmobiliario. Además, elige una ubicación y decide tu presupuesto y los requisitos para tu apartamento. Sin embargo, mantén una mente abierta con respecto a la ubicación. Y finalmente, elige el apartamento, pero no te apresures demasiado. Intenta visitar tantos apartamentos como puedas en un corto período. Además, puedes utilizar tus conexiones a través de redes sociales para conectar con personas que puedan ayudarte a encontrar un apartamento; también únete a grupos de Facebook y otras comunidades en línea para aumentar tus posibilidades. Además, utilizar buenos sitios web para tus anuncios de apartamentos también es una ventaja, aunque las propiedades listadas en el sitio web a menudo se alquilan rápidamente debido al competitivo mercado de alquileres.

Recruit4WorkRecruit4Work colabora con dos plataformas de alojamiento, a saber, Housing Anywhere y Uniplaces. ¡Utiliza uno de estos sitios web para encontrar tu apartamento y obtén un descuento porcentual en el alquiler! Ve a[www.recruit4.work/finding-a-house-when-moving-abroad/](www.recruit4.work/finding-a-house-when-moving-abroad/)para más información!

También puedes utilizar los siguientes sitios web para anuncios de apartamentos:

[www.pap.fr](www.pap.fr)

[www.fusac.fr](www.fusac.fr)

[www.craigslist.fr](www.craigslist.fr)

[www.leboincoin.fr](www.leboincoin.fr)

Sanidad

El sistema de salud pública híbrido universal de Francia proporciona una atención médica de alta calidad para todos los ciudadanos y es reconocido como uno de los mejores del mundo. En Francia, los gastos médicos son pagados tanto por el estado como por los individuos.

Los residentes de Francia están cubiertos por contribuciones obligatorias de seguro de salud, con seguro privado opcional para aquellos que deseen cobertura adicional. Todos los residentes legales, incluidos los expatriados, que cumplan las condiciones de residencia pueden beneficiarse del sistema de seguro médico y de salud francés. Los extranjeros que inmigran a Francia no están inmediatamente incluidos en el régimen de seguros. Para beneficiarte del mismo, debes haber residido en Francia durante al menos tres meses o trabajar allí (estar cubierto por seguro del empleador) e intención de vivir en Francia de forma "constante y regular" durante al menos seis meses al año. Se recomienda que contrates un seguro privado hasta que califiques.

También puedes solicitar una Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea (TSE) uniéndote al sistema de Seguro de Salud Nacional francés. Esto te permite obtener atención médica gratuita o con descuento cuando visitas otros estados miembros de la UE.

En caso de emergencia

Aquí hay una lista de números de emergencia franceses también conocidos como numéros d'urgence. Además, puedes encontrar algunas palabras/frases de emergencia en francés para ayudarte en una emergencia.

SAMU: 15 (Ambulancia y equipos médicos especializados)

Policía: 17

Bomberos: 18

Para personas sordas y con discapacidad auditiva: 114

Emergencia General: 112 (Número de emergencia europeo para contactar a servicios de emergencia en cualquier país u idioma de la UE; ¡guarda este número cuando viajes por Europa!)

Inglés

Francés

¡Ayuda!

Au secours!

Me robaron

Je me suis fait voler

Fui atacado

J'ai été agressé

Estoy sangrando mucho

Je saigne beaucoup

Diabético

Diabétique

Conmoción cerebral

Une commotion cérébrale

Dificultad para respirar/jadeo

Haleter or difficulté à respire

Es una emergencia

C'est un cas d'urgence

Por favor, llévame rápidamente al hospital

Emmenez-moi rapidement à l'hôpital

Policía

La Police Nationale or gendarmerie

Bomberos

Los bomberos

Servicios de emergencia/ambulancia

Servicio de Ayuda Médica de Urgencia o SAMU

Documentos importantes

Al viajar a otro país, es crucial llevar un documento de identidad válido. Esto es para evitar problemas cuando la policía te pida que muestres tus documentos. Por último, lleva una copia de tu póliza de seguros o anota toda la información necesaria, por si acaso de enfermedad o accidente. Además, haz una copia de tu pasaporte o documento de identidad, lleva la copia contigo y deja el original en el alojamiento donde te hospedes. De esta manera, si pierdes tu bolsa o te roban, seguirás teniendo el documento de identidad original.

Algunas palabras y frases para empezar

A principios de los años 2000, el francés era la lengua oficial de más de 25 países. El francés es probablemente la lengua romance más importante internacionalmente del mundo. Las lenguas romance son un grupo de idiomas similares que históricamente derivan del latín vulgar y forman un subgrupo de la rama itálica de la familia lingüística indoeuropea. Los idiomas más importantes de la familia son el francés, italiano, español, portugués y rumano.

Inglés

Francés

Hola

Hola

Mi nombre es …

Me llamo …

Muchas gracias

Muchas gracias

Bien

Bien

Disculpe, perdón

Perdón, disculpe

Por favor

Por favor

Adiós

Adiós

La cuenta, por favor

La cuenta, por favor

¿Puede ayudarme?

¿Puede ayudarme?

¿Dónde puedo encontrar...?

¿Dónde puedo encontrar …?

¿Cuánto cuesta esto?

¿Cuánto cuesta?

¿Habla inglés?

¿Habla inglés?

No hablo francés

No hablo francés

No entiendo

No entiendo