France Travel Forum

I'll be in france from september to mid december. Does anyone have any advice in regards to finding work as a backpacker in france? i studied french at school and did quite well, so I have a reasonable ability (far from perfect though)

thanks.

You haven't said where you are from or on what Passport you travel- which makes an answer to your question more difficult.
There are a number of people who contribute regularly to this Forum with a wealth of knowledge about Visas, work permits, tourist visa etc.

As you have not mentioned any specific qualifications and do not have a full command of French perhaps I should also say that there is a significant problem of unemployment in France and the winter months may not be good for casual work. Good Luck.

while I am no expert, I'm sure that any EU country, like France, will discriminate in favor of EU citizens, especially when it comes to getting employment. Even at tourist locations, there was a "special" (HIGHER) admission price for non-EU citizens.

Looking for a job in France ? At that period you can try grape harvest in some of the beautiful French vineyards! And when it is finished you may have contacts for other jobs. . .
Hard job but rewarding, not only for money but for local life, friendship, generally good food. . .. . .
Here are some links (but there are a lot websites about, in French!).
The first is the French agency for employment, and there is NO DISCRIMINATION, who has a lot of offers (but to check on location.

http://www.google.fr/search?hl=fr&q=emploi+vendanges&meta=


There are also forums. . .like this one :
http://www.e-voyageur.com/forum/voyage-674.php
but I am not sure what they tell inside


You can even drink Champagne when working:
http://www.jobetudiant.net/etudiant/offre,34450,Vendanges.php
It is the best one, specially dedicated to students.

Out of EU tourists don’t get higher prices! But many have students passes, have other “privileges” (like big “family card”, senior card, jobless people, etc. . . ) allowing price reductions, BUT IN NO WAY ARE FULL FARE PRICES DIFFERENT FOR EU OR NON EU CITIZEN! !

Employment may depend on whether or not you are an EU citizen. You didn't put that information on your post or your Home Page.

BTW, we have never been charged more than an EU citizen for entrance to anything in France. I'm not sure how they would even know what your citizenship was since you don't need a passport to purchase a ticket to a tourist attraction.

We have never seen anything to indicate differential entrance fees for EU and non-EU citizens - except in Spain where on Wednesdays EU citizns have free admission to Royal Palaces likethose at El Escorial and Aranjuez - which were the two most recent occasions we had this Benefit.

It would be interesting to know what passport you do hold. If you are from a non EU country (the USA for example) and are indeed staying for the full period of time your question suggests (Sept. to mid Dec) you may be required to apply for an extended stay visa (for periods exceeding 90 days within 12 consecutive months).

Similarly, if want to work in France, you may be required to apply for a work visa.

In either event, there is a bit of work involved to obtain either of the above.

On the other hand, this may not apply at all depending upon where you are from.

If the poster is going mid-September to mid-December, he should be okay regarding a Schengen visa. The rule is 90 days in; 90 days out; 90 more days in; and a final 90 days out each year. In effect, you may stay in a Schengen country for 6 months a year, but they cannot be 6 consecutive months.

http://www.eurovisa.info/SchengenCountries.htm

The work permission is another story and the poster should check this carefully.