… a lovingly curated selection of the essentials you need for living in the City of Lights – prepared by people in the know.
Metro: Invalides (lines 8 and 13)
Founded nearly forty years ago, in 1978, the Canadian Women’s Group in Paris aims to enhance your enjoyment of Paris through valuable friendships and new experiences with fellow Canadian women residing in France. They organize a wide range of activities such as guided visits of Paris’ many beautiful sites and museums, outings to the theater, concerts and operas, as well as book and bridge clubs. To keep their members informed, a monthly newsletter is published and monthly meetings keep members active throughout the year.
Metro: Vavin (line 4)
Founded in 1973 as an international, non-partisan association with members in 46 countries. Advocates on vital topics that affect overseas Americans such as: taxation, absentee voting, citizenship, representation, Social Security, and Medicare.
Metro: Iéna (line 9), Trocedéro (lines 6 and 9)
You never have to feel alone or do it alone. AAWE is one of the longest running non-profit volunteer associations of (mostly) American women based long-term in France. Their varied social activities include: US-themed children’s parties, book groups, cultural outings, community fundraisers and much more.
Apart from its community gatherings, the association works diligently to remain the recognized leading resource for bilingual and international educational information in France. Their publications include: “Beyond the Bac: Higher Education in France and Abroad” and “Guide to Education in France, 8th Edition.” These are must have guides for international families living here with children in school.
Metro: Alma-Marceau (line 9)
The largest English-language lending library on the European continent, the ALP is more than just a library. It hosts popular evenings with authors and singers, organizes reading groups for toddlers, children and adults as well as offers writing workshops for teenagers. The super friendly staff serves more than 2,500 members from more than 60 different countries.
Metro: Vavin (line 4)
A fixture in the expat community in Paris since 1949, AWG Paris is the longest standing organization of American women in France. It welcomes all English-speaking women of any nationality. With a mission to foster and encourage social, educational and cultural activities among English-speaking women in France, whether you will be in Paris for a month, a year, or a lifetime, AWG Paris could be the place for you!
Metro: St-Phillipe-du-Roule (line 9)
A social and cultural club open to women who are, or who are married to, British or Commonwealth nationals. Their clubhouse in the heart of Paris includes a lending library of English books for its members, as well as space for their many regular weekly activities.
Benenova makes it incredibly simple to match you with volunteer opportunities in the field so you can get involved whenever you can, in a friendly atmosphere and with the assurance of being both well received and 100% useful.
Just browse their calendar and pick a project that best suits your interests and availability, then join the other volunteers on D-Day! The association launched its first pilot actions in 2013, and how has a community of over 8500 volunteers supporting over 230 collective projects each month in Île de France, Nantes and Lille. Their website is in English and in French.
This non-profit, volunteer association aims to help entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs “to be” to gain access to new and valuable skills, through workshops, networking, and real opportunities to showcase their products and services. Based in Paris’ western suburb of Yvelines, come and meet like-minded women who want to share their knowledge and experience as business-owners in France.
A private co-opted membership club founded in 1996 to enable women of different nationalities living in and around Paris to share their cultures in a friendly environment. It offers a wide variety of activities and functions for members by members.
Whether you are a brand new mother needing some breastfeeding support or an “old” experienced mother anxious to start-up a career again in your adopted country, Message has the help you need. Established in 1984 by six English-speaking, expatriate women living in Paris, the association has grown to over 2000 members in 30 years. Their goal is to provide support and a network for English–speaking parents living in Paris.
A non-profit, fully volunteer-run, network of global organizations wishing to advance women in leadership. The federation of 24 networks is present in 19 countries with 90 nationalities, and over 1,000 members in Paris. They hold numerous events throughout the year in both English and French to foster the personal and professional growth of it’s diverse network of women (and men).
Do you love children’s books and writing or illustrating for children? Join SCBWI France, a professional association open to both published and unpublished writers/illustrators. SCBWI organizes a wide range of activities, including evenings with children’s book publishers, authors and illustrators, writers’ workshops, exhibitions of works by illustrators in the group and writing contests.
When you join, as a member, you benefit from preferential rates for participation in all SCBWI events worldwide, which offer an invaluable network for improving your craft and sharing your work.
Telephone call center staffed with English-speaking volunteers, who are trained and supported by psychologists and ready to listen to your worries. It’s completely confidential and available from 3-11pm daily, either by telephone or Skype.
The Women of Success (TWS) is a network of professional women created by business and life coach Dawn Z Bournand (founder of Fabulously Successful). The network offers valuable peer support, shares tips, tools and techniques for creating a fulfilling life and business, and offers opportunities for members to help each other grow professionally and personally.
Remember campfires, patches, leadership training and plenty of fun workshops and lifelong friendships? The Paris overseas branch provides a community filled with activity for American girls living abroad. It’s one of the USA Girl Scouts Overseas chapters that are located in 90 countries around the world. More than 5,000 girls living in the Paris region have joined the ranks since its start in 1949.
Metro: La Motte Picquet Grenelle (lines 6, 8, 10)
One of Paris’ oldest Anglophone associations bringing together expats, new and old, through year round cultural, educational and social activities and events. WICE keeps the mind sharp, the body active and the spirit alive. Join the internationally known writer’s workshop, book club, learn a language or participate in an art class, walking tour or wine tasting.
If you love some of INSPIRELLE‘s portraits and Paris photos, turn to professional photographer Alexis Duclos. One of our most fervent supporters, Alexis is an experienced award-winning photographer and video cameraman who can capture your individual and family portraits for business or personal use as well as produce corporate videos to enhance your company websites.
To consult his versatile work visit his website: http://www.alexisduclos.com
The American School of Paris (ASP) in Saint Cloud, a western suburb of Paris, is a great place for families to find innovative activities and holiday camps in English. Through its Extension Program the private, international school opens its world-class facilities to external students aged 4 to 18 during school vacations as well as Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the school year.
Camps and year-round activities led in English include basketball, tennis, soccer, coding, science, fashion design, filmmaking, theatre and more. Kids looking to improve their English skills have a choice of English immersion classes and even intensive workshops to prepare for the English BAC exam or the SAT American college entrance exam. At ASP, there’s bound to be a camp or workshop right for your child.
Check out their WEBSITE for all the details!
176 Rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris, France 1.07 km
145 Rue Saint-Dominique, 75007 Paris, France 0.65 km
Founded in 1960 by a pioneer in bilingual education, Mrs. Patricia Lennen, this school welcomes children and their families from all over the world. With their staff of well-qualified and experienced teachers, they continue to adapt the concept of bilingual education affording children the skill to think and learn in both French and English from the beginning of their schooling – from ages 2 thru 11 years old.
Established over 40 years ago as an independent and not-for-profit organization, all of their teachers hold AMI (Assoication Montessori Internationale) diplomas. The school offers a unique bilingual Montessori education, at 3 locations in the heart of Paris, for children from 2-9 years old.
Get ready to rock ‘n roll! What better way for kids and teens to develop their musical talents than to join a band? Musicians in grades 3 to 12 (or CE2 – terminale) can join Rock U, which holds practice sessions at the American Church. Guitarist and vocalist Matt Black, a familiar face at parties and Anglophone events, leads the Rock U. You can register for Fall, Winter, or Spring sessions, and everyone’s invited to the Rock U band’s concerts at the end of each session. Cost is 335€ per session.
Read about Rock U and other activities in our Ultimate Guide to After-School and Weekend Activities for Kid!
Metro: La Tour-Maubourg (line 8)
Offering numerous art classes during the school year, plus additional school vacation-time creative art workshops to children and adults. Bonus, English-speaking artists offer a selection of art classes from Tuesday-Saturdays during the school year.
Find out all the scoop in our ultimate guide to kid’s activities!
Metro: Champs Elysées Clemenceau (line 1 and 13)
A hands-on science museum housed in the magnificent Grand Palais in the heart of Paris. Includes a planetarium, permanent and temporary exhibits and regular demonstrations and workshops. It’s also a sister museum to the Cité des Sciences, so you can get an annual Universcience pass to visit both museums through the year.
49 Avenue Bosquet, 75007 Paris, France 0.85 km
Metro: École Militaire (line 8)
Missing that Betty Crocker cake mix and frosting in a tub or Lucky Charms cereal? The Real McCoy is an American grocer with two locations around the corner from each other, packed with items you may not find elsewhere, and a small café serving American-style breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner – cooked to order. And come November, you can also order your Thanksgiving turkey — uncooked or cooked and ready to take home to the dinner table with cranberry sauce and stuffing.
Metro: Champs Elysées-Clemenceau (line 1)
Immortalize your loved ones in a portrait captured in the iconic Studio Harcourt in Paris. With its distinctive black and white style, Studio Harcourt has been creating legendary portraits since 1934. If this studio is out of your price range, have your portrait quickly done in one of the two Harcourt luxury photo booths in Paris for 10€!
Harcourt Photo Booth: MK2 Cinema, 128-162 avenue de France 75013 or Franck et Fils department store: 80, rue de Passy – 75016 PARIS
Metro: École Militaire (line 8), Saint François Xavier (line 13)
A well-known GP to the Anglophone community in Paris. She has special interest and experience in women’s health issues, as well as travel medicine, an interdisciplinary specialty concerned with the prevention and management of health problems associated with travel. For many of our commuting expats, a consultation can help avoid major discomfort and possible sickness when working or visiting abroad.
Metro: Franklin D. Roosevelt (lines 1 and 9)
Part of a big international chain, this full service beauty salon and spa is pricey (107 – 157€ for a women’s cut and blowdry), but you will walk out feeling like a well-coiffed glamour queen. We love chilling out in massage chairs while getting our tresses washed.
Metro: Ecole Militaire (line 8)
Yuzuka is a Japanese spa salon located just minutes away from the Champs de Mars and Ecole Militaire in the chic 7th arrondissement. As you step through the door and smell the scent of yuzu, the aromatic Japanese citrus fruit from which this spa gets its name, you’ll feel your stress melt away.
Read our full review of Yuzuka HERE.
Specialist children’s hairdressers with TVs at each seat, a playroom for waiting, and a small toy when finished. They’ve been a fixture in the 17th near Parc Monceau for 15 years and are now in the 7th and 9th arrondissements . Also, the owner recently designed her own children’s clothing line which is available for purchase in the salons.
As a new concept over 20 years ago, Blanc d’Ivoire creates new furniture designs that mix together the past with the newest trends. With their elegant and simple style these pieces can easily fit in any room of a your home.
Their new collection strives to return to the fundamentals while taking you into the timeless world of creation. The clean lines and curves, the natural materials and colors represent the best in the French way of life and interior design.
Metro: Rue du Bac (line 12)
BAW offers a full range of training and support for amateur and professional actors, writers, directors, and students in theatre and film. Experienced performers and directors teach the acting workshops and classes in English for all ages. BAW encourages a multilingual and multicultural exchange among performers to enhance creative expression. Aspiring teenage actors can enroll in the Wednesday workshops to study the acting craft and discover their potential.
Alexandre de Paris always said, “Every woman is a queen in my chair” and indeed at this luxurious salon near the Grand Palais, you can enjoy a relaxing moment while being pampered. You can even pick up one of their beautiful hair accessories while you’re there.
Insider’s Tip: our friends love Vietnamese hairdresser PHUC, especially for weddings.