Hey everyone,

I'm leaving for France in late May from Montreal and plan to work there during the summer for 3 months. I've never even been to Europe before so of course I'm going to want to spend some time in Paris (one week MAX.). I'm going to be booking a flight around May 23 to arrive at the CDG airport. Do you think I'm better off exploring Paris when I first arrive in late May before I go job hunting in the South, or after I've worked (if I even find a job ) before my return home in late August?

Thanks!
- Nick

Paris will be less crowded in May, and it's usually very nice weather there.

I used to live in Paris, and yes, indeed, it is less crowded in August, but it was extremely hot last year. Also, the trains do not run as frequently as in May and many shops are closed. August is when everyone is on break. I believe you should see Paris in May as it is more lively. August is a more touristic season and the locals are not there.

Working in France (legally) is not all that easy. Have you checked on the formalities? France is much more strict than people realise about working "au noire" for cash. The employers run risks of fines and hassles if they are not hiring French, Europeans with cartes de sejour, or others with permits de travail.

Grape harvesting is still ok,I think, but there are also things to arrange ahead. Rouss

Roussillon,

I've been theorizing that grape harvesting is not O.K. for non-EU folks without working papers, unless one does it on a volunteer basis. Do you have information?

Dave:
I just know that it is always complicated for nonEu people...this article is from last year and states it is "theoretically possible" but in practice, not worth the hassle and paperwork for the grower...
http://www.boston.com/travel/getaway...rience?pg=full

I'm just worried that our friend from Canada may have an expectation for work which won't come true...with the volunteering thing, there are still insurance issues on the job, health insurance things if one gets sick etc. which make even volunteering complicated..

Also found this:
Association Québec-France
Summer Work Exchange

9 Place Royale
Québec, Québec G1K 4G2
tel: (418) 643-1616
fax: (418) 643-3053

Description: The program arranges for young residents of Québec to work at municipal jobs in France during the summer. The work is mainly done at summer camps, but sites also include pools, parks, libraries and public buildings.

Eligibility: The program is for Québec residents aged 18–30 who are fluent in French.

Length of Term: Work terms range from four weeks to two months.

Conditions: Participants pay all travel expenses, plus a $50 administration fee, and receive a salary. The program looks after work permits and legal documents.

No. of Positions Open: 100 individuals can participate each year.

Apply Before: Applications are accepted between February and March.

Well, we don't know what kind of job NIck is looking for or what contacts he has (although I gather he isn't sure he'll get a job).

I think you should visit Paris first for that reason, also (as well as it being different ambience then) -- August is high tourist season down south, so it is more likely you could get a service job there if you will be there through the summer.

Oh I'm doing someting similar to what rousillon said. Its a program through consul france-montreal that makes it real easy for a guy under 25 to get a Visa de long sejour. So yes I will have the papers to be able to work legally. I've got three different kinds of insurance as well so the documents are ready.

Now I'm just trying to decide if I should explore before trying to find work or if I should work then explore before I return.

Again, I do understand that its really hard to find a chance to find work in France but I'm going to try. If it doesn't work out, my worst case scenario would be that I stay for a couple of weeks and go to sites around the country and just do more in a shorter period of time.

From what I understand, my best bet for finding work would be to go to Aix. Hopefully Aix isn't only good for boosting my chances of finding work but that it'll also be a good place for me to stay with a lot of things to do and see.

Thanks for everything so far. More people are suggesting that I stay in Paris first. I shouldn't apply for jobs while I'm there right? Because if I'm staying in Paris for less than a week its not like I'm going to have my own address there. So do you people think my plan would work out best if I land at the CDG airport in late may, hostel my way about Paris for 4-7 days and then take a train down to Aix to start job-hunting?

I'm TOTALLY open to ANY suggestions anyone might have. Feel free to recommend a different plan altogether.

I'm not sure if I should start another post for this but if I follow thru the plan I mentioned above, should I already have an apartment rented so that I'll already have a permanent address when I apply for jobs? Or should I try to find a job then look for a place (because I found alot of affordable places to stay in Aix online)?

By the way, when I talk about a job I'm tlaking about unqualified work such as in a cafe, restoraunt, etc. The only experience I have is that I've worked for a fast-food chain here in Mtl. for a little over two years. But I'd be totally be willing to settle for something like wripping tickters at a theatre if I had to do work of that nature to get a job.

If you have any suggestions instead of Aix please let me know, its just that I'm religious (christian) and I heard there's a lot of amazing religious sites to check out in Aix. Preferably I'd like a town that someone my age (18) can go out and have fun every now and then, a place that will give me a good feel for the french culture, and a city that is along the TGV route or at least has easy access to a good transportation system.

At one point I considered tyring to find a job in Paris but I heard that it won't be as easy as in the south and that things are more expensive (i.e.: a buss pass in Paris can cost me around 100Euro while they're only about 25E in a city like Aix).

Thanks!!
- Nick

"Wripping tickters at a theatre"? -- you ARE a bad dawg.

Just remember that May is a big holiday month in France, for some reason.

And sober-sided older posters on Fodors (like me) might say "Work first, play later".

lol... well said tedgale.
i really need a new e-mail address!!
lol i meant Wripping tickets @ a movie theatre. I said that just because its a pretty lame job so it shows I'll do anything.
Actually, I don't even know if they have cinemas in France? lol. you know, like famous players type places that show hollywood movies.. hmmmmm

I don't know if it would be easy to find a job in Aix. I suspect it would be easier in a larger city, and one that doesn't already have a very large student population. I don't really know, though. You are kidding about not knowing if they have cinemas in France, right? They love film. There are some in Aix, of course, it's a town of around 100K population.

I never thought of Aix as being some super religious location, although it certainly has a famous church (cathedral of St Saveur), but most cities of that size do. What are religious things have you heard about in Aix?

I don't know, I'd think you might have better luck in Nice, but am just guessing.

BTW Nick there are a couple famous festivals down there in the summer that can make it very crowded and difficult to get lodging. I don't know how that would affect looking for a job -- maybe better, maybe worse. There is a big theater festival in Avignon around July, and a very famous big lyric opera festival in Aix during July, also. This is the web site
http://www.festival-aix.com/

Oh Nick, go play first then settle down and work!
I think May sounds perfect, why not be there when everything is open and the weather is bearable?
I hope you find a job, I hope you have a wonderful time and that this is just the start of your new Travel Habit
Is the Upside of Wripping Tickets , getting to see Free movies?

Glad to hear you have the insurance/temp permit arranged....

what about Lourdes in the Pyrenees? It is beautiful countryside, a holy place, and they have tons of senior tourism...I would imagine they are short of people to handle the crowds...

I also think that being a waiter or dishwasher in the seasonal resorts of Provence would be a possibility...but I would suggest you write emails NOW to the places so that you already have some contacts to see. Write to some of the places in St. Remy, Les Beaux, Arles, Nimes, Aix etc. Try hotel/restos that have internet addresses (look in Michelin) and you may have some luck in a good place. Bonne chance mon vieux, Rouss