'I'm a French citizen living in Paris - the majority of expats face the same hurdle on arrival and it's enough to break them'
Expats moving to France can face a unique set of challenges
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Moving abroad is often romanticised, but the process requires thorough preparation as culture shocks often strike the ill-prepared.
A French native who returned to Paris after living in the United States has shed light on why many foreigners struggle to adapt to life in France.
Having experienced both cultures first-hand, Lucile explained why initial dreams of French living can quickly turn sour for many newcomers.
"For some people moving to France seems like a dream, but a lot of people who actually do it end up regretting it sooner or later," Lucile shared.
Dreams of living in France can quickly sour for newcomers
GETTY"The food is delicious, our cities are beautiful, there's culture everywhere, and we do have good public services and free healthcare," she explained.
These factors fill newcomers with excitement on arrival, pushing them to explore the city and sample local cuisine. Eventually, however, this excitement inevitably fades."
"After the 10th day eating a delicious croissant you actually take it for granted," Lucile noted, adding that this honeymoon phase gives way to harsher realities.
"That's when real life actually sets in and you start noticing all the annoying things. That's when some people who move to France start to really hate it."
Among the biggest hurdles is France's notorious bureaucracy, particularly when it comes to banking, according to the YouTuber.
The French native shared her boyfriend's frustrating experience trying to open a bank account.
"He gave up in the end because it was easier to keep his American bank account and have an international option to avoid the fees," she recalled.
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Lucile advised newcomers to keep an open mind on arrival
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“Just learning the day to day stuff can be so hard, and I feel can be enough to break someone who is moving to Paris.”
"Opening a bank account is so so hard. You need a tone of paperwork."
The transition extends beyond practical challenges to cultural differences, with newcomers often struggling with different communication styles and approaches to relationships.
To avoid this, Lucile advised: "If you want to move past the culture shock you have to keep an open mind because things are going to be different from your own culture."
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