Relocating to Paris: The Executive Playbook
Paris is Europe’s #1 FDI destination and home to Station F, Mistral AI, and 70%+ of France’s tech ecosystem. For executives and founders relocating, understanding the city’s geography, housing market, and logistics is essential.
Key Arrondissements for Tech Professionals
| Area | Profile | Avg Rent (2BR) |
|---|---|---|
| 13th (Station F / BnF) | Startup hub, young professionals | €1,800–2,500 |
| Le Marais (3rd/4th) | Scale-up offices, creative, central | €2,500–3,500 |
| 9th/10th (SoPi / Canal) | VC firms, media, vibrant nightlife | €1,800–2,800 |
| 16th / Boulogne | Families, international schools, quiet | €2,200–3,200 |
| Neuilly / La Défense | Corporate HQs, expat families | €2,000–3,000 |
Practical Setup Checklist
Banking: Open a French bank account (BNP Paribas, Société Générale, or digital: Qonto for business, Shine). Phone: French SIM (Free Mobile €19.99/mo unlimited). Transport: Navigo pass (€86.40/mo, all zones Métro/RER/bus/tram). Healthcare: Register with Assurance Maladie + mutuelle. Housing: Expect 1–3 months deposit + guarantor (use Garantme or Visale for guarantee).
Housing: Finding an Apartment
The Paris rental market is competitive. Key platforms: SeLoger.com, Leboncoin.fr, PAP.fr (direct from owners), Lodgis.com (furnished, expat-friendly). Typical requirements: 3 months’ payslips showing 3× rent, employer attestation, ID, previous landlord reference. Foreigners without French payslips can use Garantme or Visale (government guarantee scheme). Furnished vs unfurnished: Furnished rentals have 1-year leases (flexible) while unfurnished have 3-year leases (more tenant protection). Agency fees: typically 1 month’s rent.
Administrative Setup: First 30 Days
Day 1–3: Activate French SIM card (Free Mobile €19.99/mo unlimited data, or Orange/SFR). Download essential apps: Citymapper (transport), Doctolib (medical appointments), Too Good To Go (food). Week 1: Open bank account — traditional (BNP Paribas, SG, Crédit Agricole) takes 1–2 weeks with appointment; digital banks (Qonto for business, Shine, Boursorama) open in 48 hours. Week 2: Register electricity (EDF/Engie), internet (Free, Orange, SFR — installation takes 1–3 weeks). Week 2–3: Register with CPAM for healthcare. Get your attestation de domicile (proof of address) which you’ll need for everything.
Transport
The Navigo pass (€86.40/month, all zones) covers Métro (16 lines), RER (5 suburban lines), bus (350+ routes), and tram (13 lines). Paris is also exceptionally bikeable: Vélib’ (bike-share, €37.60/year), 1,000+ km of cycle lanes. For cars: Paris has strict low-emission zones (ZFE) — pre-2011 diesel vehicles are banned. Most tech professionals in central Paris don’t own cars. SNCF TGV connects Paris to Lyon (2h), Marseille (3h15), Bordeaux (2h), London Eurostar (2h15), Brussels (1h22). Charles de Gaulle airport: 45 min by RER B from central Paris.
Cost of Living: Monthly Budget
| Expense | Central Paris | Inner Suburbs |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (2BR) | €2,200–3,500 | €1,400–2,200 |
| Utilities + Internet | €150–200 | €120–170 |
| Transport (Navigo) | €86 | €86 |
| Groceries | €400–600 | €350–500 |
| Health (mutuelle) | €50–150 | €50–150 |
| Dining/Entertainment | €300–600 | €200–400 |
| Total (single) | €3,200–5,100 | €2,250–3,500 |