My relationship with France began at 3 years old when my grandmother, a European from Morocco, taught me to sing Frère Jacques. Since then, I have been learning its language and culture in the classroom, on the street and working at French companies.
After my husband and I met at a French language meet-up in Orange County, California, he accompanied me to New York so I could complete a Masters in French Studies at New York University. After three years in New York and lots of hard work, my husband was offered a CDI contract at a media company in Paris. We now live in the 10th arrondissement near the picturesque Canal Saint Martin and enjoy discovering new corners of The City of Light every day.
The goal of Pasa’s Paris is both to share our experiences and to help others in the many steps it takes to become established as a foreigner in France.
Wow! This is really great! You are a natural blogger! Miss you.
Just signed up as a subscriber. I am enjoying your blog. You are very good.
I found your blog as I looked for the name of the cafe across the street from the Metro stop Jules Joffrin. I ate there when I spend one weekend in Paris in 2008. Yes, just one
I can’t wait to visit Paris, again!
Thanks for your comment. I’m glad you got to visit a part of Paris that isn’t often shown in guidebooks. I hope the blog is helpful for you when you come back to Paris!
yay, jessica! we’re glad for your blog, this is great! happy to see you doing so well, too
Looking forward to following your adventures and learning new things about Paris along the journey!
I’ve had a yearning to go to Paris since my 10th grade french teacher taught me all of the nuances of the language. I haven’t taken french since then but have been trying to figure out when I’m going to visit. I hear it is very expensive to live in France. I am a writer/blogger as well penning my first book to my granddaughter. I accidentally landed on your page and think it’s really nice to start a new adventure in all things French. I’m glad that you followed your heart.
Hi Bettie Jean,
Thanks so much for your kind comments! I’m glad you enjoy the blog. Good luck writing your book!
Best,
-Jessica
Actually I was looking for a Morrocan oil or Drench oil under google and your name came up. I’m glad I landed here!!
Thanks for sharing your experiences and recipes. I’ve been to Paris 7 times in the past 10 years and it’s now replaced NYC as my favorite city. I hope to make France my home, at least part time, in the next year.
Hi Dawn,
Best of luck on your next French adventure!
Thanks very much for your comment. I prefer Paris to NYC as well
Best,
Jessica
Très jolie histoire, bonne continuation à tous les deux
Merci Mickael!
Great blog. Would you happen to have any good advice for parents of a soon to be student of École Parsons à Paris? My wife has concerns and is afraid our daughter will have issues traversing Paris. We visited the school in early February and the city seemed simple enough to get around. The Metro is great, there are grocery stores everywhere and the general small town feel in each of the neighborhoods was really nice. One concern I have is that my daughter is a vegetarian and there weren’t a whole lot of vegetarian places to choose from. Did you have any issues finding a good doctor? Any advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Hi David,
Thanks for your comment. I don’t have children yet, but one thing I found very helpful once I arrived in Paris was attending the Bloom Where You’re Planted program put on by the American Church in Paris (the program is not religious): http://www.acparis.org/community-activities/women-of-the-american-church-woac This has great information for foreigners living in Paris (especially families), from health to school, work and pleasure. As for finding a doctor, this program will answer those questions for you. If you are in the French system and have a carte vitale, you go to http://ameli-direct.ameli.fr/ to find a doctor. It’s pretty straight-forward, but it is in French. For vegetarian food, check out David Lebovitz’ site: http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2008/04/tips-for-vegeta-1/
Bon courage!
-Jessica
Thanks so much for the advice/links. Hopefully this will help give her mother some sort of warm and fuzzy feeling before her baby girl goes so far away.
I’m pleased to have stumbled across your blog. My husband and are considering relocating to Paris so it will be great to read about your experiences – despite being a tad jealous! Thanks for sharing
Thanks for your comment Elizabeth. I hope you enjoy reading the blog and wish you the best of luck in moving to Paris!
Best,
-Jessica
Is your husband French? Not that it matters, but just wondering as you said he got a CDI in France, I was wondering if his native language was French.
Hi Mademoiselle Slimalicious,
Thanks for your comments. I like your blog, too. My husband is American, but his French is improving every day
Best,
-Jessica
Jessica,
My husband and I are doing a trip to Paris next Easter weekend, and I was SO happy to see your blog!!! Hope all is well!
Hi Amelia,
Great to hear from you. I hope the blog will give you some useful advise while planning your trip to Paris! Best to you and your husband,
-Jessica
Hi Jessica,
Your blog is amazing! When reading your blog I realised I know nothing about Paris even being frequent visitor of it. It’s much of help especially now as we are planing to stay for more extensive period of time. Keep up on doing great job!
Agnis
Hi Agnis,
Thanks so much for your comment! I’m glad you find the blog helpful. Just curious, is there any subject or place in Paris or France you are interested in but can’t find enough information about online?
-Jessica
Thanks
Hey,
I really liked your writing and was wondering if you would be interested in contributing to another French help site. We are just starting Paris, Piece of Cake (parispoc.com) as a guide and help site directed toward students. We need a lot of help on the content side, but feel we have a fun new idea with information aggregated in a different way from most sites today. I think your writing style and advice would be a great fit.
Hope to hear from you…
Best,
William
My wife and I will be staying in the 10th for two months this spring. We came across your blog while researching the web. So far we have learned of a good boulangerie (and most importantly how to properly order) and where to locate Mediterranean goodies along with olive oil!
We look forward to learning a lot more about our upcoming neighborhood.
Merci
Thanks for your comment David,
I wish you and your wife a wonderful time in the 10th. Hopefully the weather is nice enough for you to picnic along Canal Saint Martin or in the parc Buttes Chaumont (in the 19th but not far away). Beware of apartments that are near police, fire stations or hospitals as it will be very noisy- we were near all three.
All the best,
-Jessica
My husband and I are moving to Paris from Seattle WA 1/28/13. We have one year Visas. We have sold our real estate business and won’t be working in Paris-just learning how to enjoy life there. I have just spent several hours reading your blogs and book marking my favorites. Thank you for writing and sharing, for the charming photos and the wealth of useful information. I found your blog while searching for information on leasing an apartment. It sounds a bit daunting especially since neither my husband and I are far from fluent in French, but doable! We will stay in a hotel while we search so hope it does not take too long. I look forward to making the trips you wrote about and visiting museums and restaurants. Again, thank you!
Hi Brenda,
Thanks so much for your comment. I’m glad to hear that the blog is helpful for you. I’m sure you will find a place without too much trouble, as real estate agents in Paris do speak English and you are familiar with real estate in Seattle. Best of luck!
-Jessica
Hi Brenda, Do you have a blog about your time in Paris? I am leaving 7/29 for a year in France my self. I will be in Suresnes for most of August, if you are still there. Don’t even know if you will get this??? Pasa, do you still write this blog?
Hi Debbie,
I moved back to California in June of 2012, so that’s why I haven’t written any new posts. Good luck with your move to France! I hope my past blog entries will be helpful for you.
Best,
Jessica
Bon Jour, Jessica! Would you be so kind as to email me? My questions I have regarding Paris, France are numerous, and involve music. I’m in California too, welcome back!
God Bless!
Marne