Before you go: Richard Tyrrell, senior editor for Going-there, an international relocation firm (www.going-there.com), says that the most common complaint from expatriates is about bureaucracy. His advice is to go prepared. Before you cross La Manche, transfer your bank account and ask your bank manager for a financial guarantee to secure rental property. Also, gather your paperwork, including bank statements, proof of earnings (payslips), and two years’ tax returns. He also advises getting key documents translated — you will need to provide a certified translation of your birth certificate when you apply for a residence permit (carte de séjour).

Living: Many expats like to live in western Paris for easy access to the offices of La Defense and the international schools. Renting is the norm and apartments are generally cheaper than those in London. Even so, demand is high and rents have risen 11 per cent in the past year. If you plan to stay for less than a year a furnished apartment makes most sense. For longer assignments an unfurnished one on a lease of three to six years is the norm. Joy Chezaud, founder of the Paris-based relocation firm Cosmopolitan Services Unlimited (www.cosmopolitanservices.com), says that expats are often surprised when asked to provide a company letter to confirm their salary (usually expected to be four times the annual rent) or a bank guarantee plus one year’s rent as a deposit.

Family: EU nationals are free to work in France and foreign children are eligible for free education in state schools. However, both usually require good spoken French. Private school options with lessons given in English include the British School of Paris (bsp.ecis.org), Lycée International (British section) (www.lycee-international.net) and the International School of Paris ( www.isparis.edu). A guide to education options is published by the Association of American Wives of Europeans (www.aaweparis.org).

Work life: Michelle O’Brien, director of the Paris-based relocation firm A Good Start in France (www.agoodstart.fr), says that people are often surprised by Parisian working hours — typically 9am to 7pm. “The cliché of French workers having long lazy lunches is definitely dated,” she says, adding that product- ivity-obsessed Anglo-Saxons often feel frustrated by the French love of meetings and discussions.

LIVING IN PARIS

ALEX SNELLING, 28, project manager, L’Oréal, Paris

“I moved to Paris about 16 months ago and it’s been an awfully big adventure. I read books about moving abroad and felt pretty nervous. But the support from my company meant that although it wasn’t easy it was more manageable than I’d thought. French bureaucracy is a trial but L’Oréal has helped — it runs seminars to help expats to do things like fill in their tax returns and organises regular social events.

The biggest decision was choosing where to live; with L’Oréal I had access to a relocation firm and a househunting agency, but I found my flat myself, one evening walking around the city. It’s in a stunning location in Montmartre, close to the Sacré Coeur.

I can speak French and have worked for an international company, but there have been a couple of surprises. One was lunch: in the UK you grab a quick sandwich at the desk, here people go to the canteen and get a starter, main course, dessert and cheese. Lunch can last about an hour and a half. It is a crucial part of your working day; eating and chatting about professional and personal issues. Although you do tend to work later and there isn’t the informal session in the pub that you enjoy in the UK. The other thing I wasn’t prepared for was the way the British can get labelled as ‘square’ Anglo-Saxons obsessed with timekeeping and agendas. The French tend to be more flexible and relaxed about timing.

There is a much higher quality of life here than in London and the public transport system is excellent. Although I do miss some things about home: television, newspapers and a good cup of tea. If anything I feel my roots more strongly since moving here. For example, on Remembrance Day it was nice to wear a poppy and explain to people what it was all about. Living here really is how you’d imagine it to be when you stroll around on holiday. It is amazing. I’ve met a lot of interesting people and I’m not sure I would want to move back to London now.”

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