News Digest: American Expat Survey, Assomption & What is it REALLY Like Living in France?

After three show-stopping weeks, the 2024 Paris Olympics came to a close this weekend, and it turns out that the rumours were true – Tom Cruise did indeed abseil from the roof of the Stade de France! Not only that, he left the stadium on a motorbike with the Olympic flag, flew over to Hollywood and performed an epic skydiving stunt to pass the flag over to Los Angeles, where the next Olympic Games will be held. See the video below for the full spectacle.

Additional highlights of the closing ceremony included a triumphant parade of athletes, performances by bands and artists, including Air, Phoenix, and Yseult, and plenty of theatrics and gravity-defying acrobatics.

France’s summer of sport isn’t over yet, though! After a 2-week break, the 2024 Paralympic Games will start in Paris on August 28^th.

Calling all American expats in France! The US White House has issued a new survey aimed designed to “more formally engage with Americans living abroad.” If you’re a US national who is currently resident in France (or in any other overseas country), you’re invited to fill in the survey and share your views on topics that affect non-resident US citizens, such as taxation, voting, and living abroad.

Organised by the White House Office of Public Engagement, this is the first survey of its kind to be put out, and while there is no obligation to take part, it presents an opportunity for expats and emigrants to make their voices heard on a range of topics.

If you do want to fill in the survey, you can find it here.

I’ll be hosting my first webinar with my FrenchEntrée and French Property News colleagues tomorrow, Wednesday, August 14th, and we hope you can join us! This time, rather than inviting our expert partners to our panel, we’re going to be answering your questions directly and giving our honest advice about the property-buying and moving to France journey.

We’ll be revealing what we wish we’d known before buying in France, giving our top tips for integrating into French life and learning French, and sharing our personal experiences, challenges, and mistakes.

Join FrenchEntrée Property & Relocation Advisor Debbie Nye, French Property News Editor Karen Tait, and myself tomorrow evening for an honest conversation about buying and moving to France.

If you have a question for us or a subject matter you’d like to hear us discuss, let us know in advance – you can email me at [email protected].

Start Your French Property Journey with Top Tips from the FrenchEntree Team

Wednesday 14th August
4pm UK / 5pm France / 11am USA (EDT)

Whether you’re still recovering from last weekend’s canicule (heatwave) or need a break from all the Olympics-themed festivities, this coming weekend is the ideal opportunity for a vacation. The religious festival of Assomption on August 15^th, which is a national holiday or jour férié, this year falls on a Thursday, meaning that many workers will opt to “faire le pont” and enjoy a four-day weekend.

If you are planning a trip away, be aware that traffic will likely be heavy along major national routes on Friday and Sunday – keep an eye on Bison Futé for the latest news. Banks and public services will be closed on Thursday, but you may find some supermarkets and shops operate with reduced hours instead – be sure to check ahead to avoid disappointment.