English Information Sources
For Contacts, Events, and Getting-to-Know Paris
(periodicals, info centers, etc.)
Information compiled by Ann-Marie Subota
Periodicals
Paris Voice
A free bi-monthly English language magazine with a
little bit of everything – ads, features on upcoming events in Paris,
shopping in Paris, eating in Paris, interviews, etc.; this magazine is
geared toward English-speaking residents of Paris. I obtained my copy at
the American Church in Paris (65, quai d'Orsay, 7th).
Time Out Paris
A free English language guide to what's going on in Paris (produced by season) – culture,
entertainment, nightlife, some features on settling in in Paris, more ads,
etc.; this guide is geared more toward the tourist/short-term resident
than the established resident but is still a good resource – especially
for general info on upcoming exhibits, shows, festivals in Paris. I found
my copy at a youth hostel in Paris – l'Auberge de Jeunesse Léo LaGrange
(107, rue Martre 92110 Clichy).
FUSAC
A large, diversified monthly publication of English language ads and classifieds; here you'll
find everything from a large section of job advertisements to personal
ads, employment wanted ads, college and university recruitment ads,
house-swapping ads and activities offered – sports, dance, theatre,
conversation, etc. This is a good resource for those looking for work,
English-language services/businesses or just an idea of what the
English-speaking community in Paris has to offer. This guide can be found
all over Paris, from the American Church to the racks outside English and
French language schools to the tea rooms attached to some of the
English-language bookstores of Paris; I obtained my copy at Tea and
Tattered Pages (24, rue Mayet, 6th).
Living in France
A seasonal magazine with more in-depth features on issues and services pertinent to the
long-term Anglophone residents of Paris – articles cover topics ranging
from money management and taxes for ex-pats to schooling for ex-pat
children, dealing with the French government and dealing with health
issues in Paris. This magazine is available at a number of places
frequented by English-speakers – from the U.S. Embassy to the American
Church to the Abby Bookshop to the Maison des Associations de Paris; I
picked up my copy at the American Library (10, rue du Général-Camou, 7th).
Free Guides
Paris Insider's Guide
Published annually, this free guide has a great section on clubs and
associations in Paris that can prove helpful for those looking to
network/create their own internships/get involved in the Parisian
community while working with ex-pats; it also includes ads and small
features about cultural activities and traditions and info on businesses,
shopping, and services that appeal to/cater to the English-speaking
community of Paris; a good resource for new English-speaking residents of
Paris. I found my copy at the American Library in Paris (10, rue du Général-Camou, 7th).
Guide du Sport à Paris
This free guide, available at the mairie of each arrondissement, is
the best source for finding out when, where, and how to get involved in
team or community sports. France has a number of separate associations
that cater to players of specific sports – for example, to soccer players,
to tennis players, to hikers, etc. – and Paris offers a decent collection
of community playing fields, courts, pools, etc., but no one single body
overseas multiple sports and/or multiple public fields and terrains.
Luckily, the guide du sport gives you every number you'd ever need to make
contact regarding the use of any public terrains or the playing of any
specific sport. As for clubs or groups in Paris that cater to English
speakers, I've not found any that center around sports.
Low-Cost, Highly Useful Guides
Paris-Anglophone
Published every few years, this "yellow-pages" of English-speaking Paris is a must for anyone
looking to network – whether it be for business, exploring internship
possibilities or finding childcare/educational options that are
English-language friendly. It runs the gamut from restaurants to lawyers
to industrial firms to travel agencies to childcare services in terms of
what it covers. Best of all, this guide provides individual contacts for
the diverse businesses, schools, clubs, etc., it lists. Some searching
through the racks of the used bookstores in Paris can produce a copy of
the guide (particularly those which specialize in English-language books)
or a visit to
www.paris-anglo.com can produce recently updated contacts, addresses, etc.
Bloom Where You're Planted
This guide, published annually by the Women of the American Church, is a
good general guide to the ins and outs of living in Paris as a foreigner
and as an English-speaker. It provides good advice for navigating
everything from a trip to the local market to tracking down information
about, and finally choosing, a school for your children in France.
The section about substituting ingredients available in France for those
used in America in typical American recipes is particularly helpful for
those who like to cook.
Other useful information is provided
to help deal with culture shock, to aid children in adjusting to life in
France, and to help new residents understand the documents, bills, and
legal and financial matters they'll inevitably have to address upon
settling in France. Finally, a condensed telephone directory lists
services and businesses that cater to the English-speaking community in
Paris. This guide can be purchased at the American Church (65, quai
d'Orsay, 75007 Paris) or obtained as part of the annual "Bloom Where
You're Planted" Orientation Conference held every October at the American Church.
Information Centers
The Information Center of the Women of the American Church
The volunteers in the Information Center (located
in the basement of the American Church - 65, quai d'Orsay, 75007 Paris) offer a
wealth of knowledge on a variety of topics for any English-speaking
resident of Paris and any French-speaking resident looking to network with
Americans. Always friendly and willing to share the massive amount of
guides, pamphlets and contacts they've amassed, they can be a great aid in
the search for the more esoteric in Paris – the type of thing most guides
to living in Paris don't address. Luckily for the visitor, they're
willing to search for information for you and follow-up with you at a
later date, if necessary.
The Local Mairie of Each Arrondissement
The local Mairie has a wealth of information for
the new resident in France – from social benefits and programs available,
to local market locations and hours, to residency status and requirements,
to playing fields and community sports centers, to the rules and
regulations that govern starting a business in France. Sometimes actually
dealing with the staff can be difficult, but the published materials
available (some of which are only viewable within the mairie building) are
an incredible help to getting to know the many things Paris has to offer
its residents.
The Paris Tourist Office
For information on the exhibits within Paris many museums, the theatrical
productions being staged, the outdoor festivals and concerts, and the
general ins and outs of getting around Paris, this is one of the best
places to start. A number of free pamphlets are available for the
taking and the staff can also provide you with more specific information
regarding any particular topic that might interest you (for example,
day-trips out of Paris). The main Paris tourist office is located
25 rue des Pyramides in the 1er arrondisement.
http://www.parisinfo.com
The American Library in Paris
Though the American Library doesn't have an information center per say, the research librarian
is a wonderful resource for information on what local guides (i.e. only
available in Paris) exist and what resources are available for English
speakers in Paris. The information provided here regarding helpful guides
and contacts is largely the result of several leads she provided me. With
her help, and some digging through the diverse collections of the library,
no search will end in a dead-end. The research librarian can be found at
a desk just past the circulation desk/front entrance of the library at
10, rue du Général-Camou, 75007 Paris.
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