Victoria O’Reilly, 29, has worked as a PA in France for seven years and has a degree in French and European studies. She recently became executive PA to the chief executive of the Paris-based events group Reed Midem. Her hours are 10am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, and although salaries are lower in France, so is the cost of living. Victoria bought her first flat, in Paris, last year.

“France is more hierarchical than the UK,” she says, “and although the working style tends to be quite formal, this is a very international company and we are all on first-name terms. Last week I spent five days in Cannes ensuring that my boss was in the right place at the right time and helping to finalise his speeches. I stayed in a lovely flat and went to an opening-night cocktail party.

“In the average week, I do a lot of bookings and agendas as well as web-based research in advance of meetings. Making sure that departmental heads get their reports to my boss on time is a key part of the job.

“Although I miss friends and family — and baked beans and decent curries — Paris is home. The French work/life balance is just about right. France is my life now and I am happy with how my career is going.”

Euro London Appointments offers the following advice for would-be Francophiles:

Although English is the key global business language, employers across the Channel demand fluent French.

To rent a flat in Paris you need a French bank account, a guarantor, proof of salary and at least a month’s rent as deposit.

EU citizens do not need a work permit to work in France, but non-EU citizens need a work permit and normally need to be sponsored by an employer. If you are unsure of your status, check with www.prefecture-police-paris.interieur.gov.fr

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