My husband and I have two boys (11 yo) and are planning on an extended stay in France. My husband has his own consulting business in the U.S. so we would need good internet connection and also to be fairly close (1-2 hours) from an airport. We would like to stay in a smaller town. I homeschool our kids, so the time of year is not an issue from that standpoint. We were in France last fall for one week (as part of a 3 week European trip) and had a lot of fun with the language and culture. Also, we have a lot of family in England, so we would like to have them visit us or vice versa. I would like suggestions on what part of France to stay in and possible accomodations. Thanks!
Posted by
Fontainebleau, France
893 posts
If you want to stay more than 90 days, you'll have to apply for an extended stay tourist visa. There are certain requirements you'll need to meet, like having enough money, a place to stay and insurance. But it's not an impossible thing to get. Look on the website for the consulate office that's closest to your home. If you want to spend a lot of time in England, your best bet will be the northern part of France. Does the airport have to be international, or will a regional one do? Because you can live in Paris and still be almost 2 hours from the airport. Check out www.leboncoin.fr for accomodations. You might be able to find something that way. Any town that has a university will likely have furnished rentals available. Don't let anyone tell you it's going to be hard. When we moved here, our next door neighbors were an American mom and her 3 homeschooling kids who were here for 6 months. (They leased a car without problem.)
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
You'll only get ninety days in France, cumulatively - - read up on Schengen. Credit card insurance for rental autos is limited to thirty days at a time - - you'll have to exchange cars a couple of times. Look at the interior of Lower Normandy for proximity to England. Picardie is almost as good. Avoid as much of the summer as you can. Use gitesdefrance.com to find a place - - some have internet/wifi.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32353 posts
karen, As the others have mentioned, it's extremely important to have the proper documentation for stays exceeding 90-days. The penalties under the Schengen rules can be severe!
Posted by
Columbia, MO, USA
249 posts
I want to come along and be their algebra/geometry teacher.