How to socialize in Paris ?

The best ways to make friends in France

Bonjour, it’s Théo 👋

I’m back from New York City and I’m ready to talk about Paris again !

For the next few weeks on my social media (@frenchguytheo on TikTok & Instagram), I’ll help you to understand the Parisian life.

After talking a lot about tourism, I also want to give some advice to any foreigner who wants to live in France for a while, and not just for a short trip.

When I started FrenchGuyTheo, I remembered that a lot of people were asking me in DMs how they can socialize in France, because making friends in a different country, when you sometimes don’t understand the language, can be really difficult.

So today I’ll give you a few tips to socialize in Paris (and France in general) 😊

Photo by VENUS MAJOR on Unsplash

Are French people rude ?

We have a reputation. French people can seem cold, rude or arrogant.

Some of us can look snobby, but it’s clearly an exception. Most French people are welcoming and easy to chat with.

The problem can be the language, as we are not all the best at speaking in English, but most young people can maintain a long conversation without any problem.

The rude reputation can come from the differences with other countries. If you live in the US, people can seen really friendly even if they don’t know you. But it also means that you can’t really know if they really want to be friends with you, as they are just naturally sociable and polite.

In France, we are more… honest 😅

French people are automatically on defense mode. We don’t trust people easily. Because if someone come to talk to you from nowhere in the streets, it can be for asking money or to scam you, not to be friend.

But when you start chatting with a French person, and they give you their trust, you can be considered as a friend pretty much quickly, and those relationship can last long.

Even if we don’t seem friendly, we can become really strong friends. 💪

French language classes

The best way to socialize in France… is to actually speak French.

If you take French classes you will meet a lot of international people who also want to learn it and to socialize in Paris.

You can easily find plenty of different classes, open during the day or the evening, just a quick Google search can give you a list 👌

Bars & clubs

If you want to socialize directly in action, you can go to student bars or international places.

The night clubs can also be an option, if you don’t mind being surrounded by drunk young people. 😅

You can find cheap student bars in Jussieu (a metro station near a University in Paris) like Le Nouvel Institut.

And if you want a fancier option, the Harry’s New York Bar and the Little Red Door speakeasy are both international bars with delicious cocktails.

International Facebook groups

For a long time, Facebook groups were THE place to meet people in a foreign country, and it’s still a really good option.

Try to find a specialized group for people from your country, or speaking your language, that are studying or working in Paris.

Even if you are not a student anymore, you can find business Facebook groups or focused on other social activities like going to the Gym or practicing Yoga in Paris.

Apps

It exists a few apps to talk in other languages where you could find people living in Paris like you.

HelloTalk for example, helps you to speak another language with users online. Even some love apps like Tinder, OkCupid or Hinge (that is more international) can be an option to meet people easily, depends if you are looking for a lover or just a friend.

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So here are different options to socialize in Paris, and in France in general. But my biggest advice will be this one : Get out of your confort zone.

Living in a foreign country can be overwhelming, you could be tempted to stay confortable at home, watching Netflix, but you wouldn’t be making the most of your life here.

Socializing starts with one friend that you meet randomly, or a DM you send to someone on Instagram, then he introduces you to another friend, then another one… And you will create your own social circle.

Yesterday, I was at a movie screening organized by a friend, with international people invited. We ended the night by having dinner all together in a brasserie restaurant and most of us didn’t know each other. It can be as easy as this to meet people in Paris.

Stay active, keep contacting people and stay away of your confort zone, that’s how you will grow the most in your life.

And if you have any tip for someone who wants to socialize here, you can share it by commenting this article 📬

See you in Paris,

À bientôt 👋

Théo