I can’t speak for the entirety of France but if you’re looking for expats in Provence here are a few suggestions.
When I first moved to France I had it in my head that I would only meet French people. I soon learned that in the countryside, meeting any people was a bit tricky. Throw into the equation a lack of funds and a lack of confidence in my French skills…
Let’s just say I didn’t make many friends during my first couple years here! I wanted to find somewhere to learn the language and wondered if there were courses, similar to this AJ Hoge learning course (which helps non-English speakers) that could help me to improve my French. Being an expat is always hard and I knew that going in. I had a friend who moved to Thailand with her family and her young kids were having an awful time trying to fit in until she found a Kindergarten in Bangkok for Internationals and that helped bring them out of their shell. Knowing this, I knew it would be hard at the start but it would get better as I got more confident.
People in Southern France are known to be more closed that people from the North. I’ve known of even French people who move here from other areas and have trouble. Small villages can be the trickiest. Where everyone has grown up together, they’re not jumping to make new friends unless they have a particular interest in speaking English.
After two years, I accepted the fact that I need to do some serious reaching out to other expats. People that have moved here from abroad will automatically have common ground with you. They will often lead to French friends and tips on where in your area to seek friends.
Expat communities are small in spirit. People tend to know each other so they can suggest people in your age range to meet. I didn’t even know that an English family was living on the next street! It’s surprising how many retirees you come across that have moved here for a better life, now that their working years are behind them. Some of them even credit this guide to retiring abroad with helping them to take the plunge and they seem glad to have done so.
Whether you’ve just moved to Provence (Bouches du Rhone region) or have been here for ages and not really managed to connect (I’ve met a few people), here are my suggestions for meeting expats in Provence.
Where to find Expats in Provence:
There are all kinds of groups such as French-English conversation, Dinner, and wine tasting propositions, hiking, get-togethers and even singing carols during the holidays. You’ll find people from all nationalities and walks of life. If there aren’t any activities that appeal to you, propose your own!
This is a group of women (sorry boys) who get together in various parts of Provence either to advertise their business or meet new friends. Each meeting has a little activity and it costs either 50 € per year to join or 10 € a meeting.
Ladies in Avignon, Nîmes, Uzès, and environs (LiANU)
This is another closed Facebook group but you can easily be invited if you live in the area. It’s free to go to events and you’ll meet people from all walks of life.
I read about this app on the Guardian. I was convinced to join and I’m happy for it. This is an app for women seeking other female friends. You have a basic profile and connect with people close to you. In my case, there aren’t many people in the countryside but it’s catching on. Tons of people in cities such as Marseille, Aix en Provence and Montpellier. Also, the women on this app are much younger than other sites.
A new app for business networking. People also looking just to meet new people as well. You’re allowed to see 20 different local contacts every day.
Instagram
Yup! Believe it or not, 2 of my friends found me on Instagram. They noticed I posted generally in a specific area, I spoke English and I had a blog. I’m always up for meeting new people et voila! Thanks to them being proactive I now know a couple people that are my age in the area.
This is a site where you can post classifieds to for work, buying and selling as well as friends!
Another website with groups you can join with various interests. About 5 € per month.
Aix en Provence:
Book in Bar (Aix en Provence)
A lovely English bookshop in Aix en Provence. Once a month there’s an English book club with a great turnout.
AntiCafé (Aix en Provence)
This café is the first of it’s kind in Southern France. A trend that’s gaining popularity in Paris via Russia is where you pay for the time you spend in the café rather than the drinks. The tea and coffee are free and there are little nibbles as well. At least once a week there’s an international exchange for people wanting to meet up as well as practice their English. You’ll be popular if you’re an anglophone!
Camille Books and Tea (Avignon)
A second hand English bookshop. Each Wednesday and Friday, from 5pm-7pm there are conversation evenings where you can practice you French and locals can practice their English. A mix of ages.
LinkedIn
I’ve had a few people reach out to me through this business network website.
BritsNimes (Nimes)
A group of English-speaking people wanting to get together in the area around Nimes and Uzès. Bookclubs, restaurant outings, hikes and more.
Around Manosque
Expats Around Manosque Facebook Group
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have found any other groups or resourceful ways to meet locals and expats in the area.
Read my silly anecdotes about living in France as an expat:
Living in France as an Expat
More Expat Silliness
If you’re feeling a little lost and alone, here is some expat humour for you (more on Youtube)
Hey Ashley, great resource! Technology can be a double-edged sword but it’s awesome when it connects us with others… through blogging, social media, apps, whatever. I just downloaded VINA and hope I have a few matches even though I’m not in a big city. I feel like it’s hard to connect with others sometimes especially as an adult when we all have our own lives and obligations, you know? VINA seems hip and fun and like they create my kind of crowd, so here’s to hoping I meet some new people 😉 BONNES FETES!
It can indeed be tricky to meet new people as an adult. I also find I get more picky the older I get! I hope Vina works out for you. Bonnes Fêtes à vous aussi!
I’m so sorry you are having trouble making French friends! I am so surprised that you find the southern French to be closed, since my experience has been the exact opposite. The first time my husband and I rented a house near Nîmes, we met our neighbors who immediately invited us to their bbq that weekend. There we met their friends, who then invited us to THEIR bbq’s and very quickly we had plans for every weekend and many week-day evenings and made friends that 16 years later we are very close to. Just recently we rented a house in a different village and our neighbor invited me to join me at her craft circle after she saw me knitting, and when she discovered that I was a singer by training, invited me to join the area choir. I am sincerely looking forward to moving there full time in 2 years so I can participate in all the things I have been invited to!
Wishing you all the best in the new year, I hope it is full of fun and friendship!
Thank you for the new year wishes Rebecca! People say that the French in Languedoc Rousillion are more friendly and your experience is the proof! I’m so glad that you’ve been embraced by your neighbours here in France. I can’t really complain because I’ve started meeting great people through Curious Provence!
That last book I read was “Being stripped naked”… don’t think about the topic of the book, this book is about British expats life in Hongkong during 1997. His experience…. It’s really amazing. I simply couldn’t stop reading it. http://bsn-books.com
Interesting!
This spoke to me on many levels!
I moved to France to be with my now fiancé in the south (Drôme) but like you said, unless you grew up with the locals, shared memories with them which I didn’t, i found it hard to fit in.. my french is better now but I have a 20month old and I admit, the first year of her life was a difficult one, with no one to share things with and speak to here because I literally knew no one who would speak a little English (I felt a little amount of English was good enough as then they can explain things better to what they where saying in french). Those that could, said I should speak french so spoke to me just in french.. they could not see that the only person I spoke to in English most times was my fiancé and I was really struggling with learning french so carried on speaking fran-lish to them, I was craving a little outside conversation.. A lonely time indeed!
We have now moved to a bigger area (Pertuis) so I am in search of some mummy Friends! I’ve had no such luck on meet up but thanks to your blog I have discovered Book in Bar and Hey Vena which I have just downloaded now.. thank you!
Hi Chloe, I’m happy you found these tips somewhat helpful. I know how difficult it can be. You’re unfortunately a little far from me here in Les Alpilles. It’s tricky right now meeting new people with Covid. However, Kelly at La Belugue in Beaumont-du-Pertuis is American. She isn’t a mamma but does fun cooking classes (now online). You should reach out! -Ashley