Looking for Indian Expats in Paris?

Paris offers many things that Indian expats can enjoy, from food and culture to travel around Europe. Learn about benefits of living in the French capital and the common challenges Indians may experience.

Pros of life in Paris

Paris has a rich cultural life. There are lots of cafes, local markets, parks, bakeries and new neighborhoods to discover every day.

Health care works well. Once you understand which local doctors to attend or app to use, you can feel like a local in Paris. Many doctors and services can be found and booked online.

You can get around without having a car. The subway, buses, bikes, and walking make daily life easier.

A great place to travel. Many European destinations are close by train or plane. You can easily travel every weekend to different cities/countries.

Cons of life in Paris

Renting a flat can be very hard. Apartments are usually expensive and small, and you can be asked for many documents.

Official processes can take time. Paperwork, taxes, residence documents and adopting new rules can feel difficult at first.

The level of spice in French dishes may seem unusually low. You can ask for “spicy” and receive only one tiny piece of chili, it can be already a hot meal.

The metro is useful but not always comfortable with bags. Stairs and crowded trains can make a simple trip harder than expected.

Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys for expats — Expat Insider — where we ask people living around the world about every aspect of expat life. We’ve rounded up key facts about the typical Indian expat: what motivated them to move to a new country, what they enjoy about life abroad, as well as what they struggle with the most.

To gain a better understanding of expat life in Paris, we asked our Indian members for their opinions. Let’s start with the positive ones first.

Now let's see some common negative topics that our Indian members had on their minds:

Where can I meet other Indians in Paris?

If you would like to meet other Indians in Paris, you can visit La Chapelle, in the 10th arrondissement, often known as "Little India". Restaurants, grocery shops, sweet shops and cafes around Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis and Rue Cail are popular places for Indian and South Asian people to meet informally. Maison de L'Inde at the Cite Internationale Universitaire de Paris is another good option. It organizes Indian festivals, cultural events, lunches, career networking, music, dance and talks, which makes it especially useful for students and professionals. Paris India Connections on Meetup hosts semi-regular events, and our InterNations events are also a great opportunity to meet Indians in Paris. Our Newcomers’ Events are based on introducing newcomers to the community, which makes finding friends a lot easier than trying your luck in a bar or any other place.

Where do Indians live in Paris?

Quite a few of our Indian members live in the more international parts of town. Both international companies and opportunities for international socializing tend to be located in the center of the city. Here are some of the most popular parts of Paris:

La Chapelle: Popular among Indians and other South Asian communities, between 10th and 18th arrondissements. This area is often called "Little India" of its Tamil shops, restaurants, groceries etc.

The 16th Arrondissement: Quite for families, safe and close to parks and international schools. Areas such as Passy, Auteuil and Trocadéro are especially well known for their international community.

The 7th Arrondissement: Great for expats seeking an elegant and close to international institutions area. Good choice for people who want to live near the Eiffel Tower and central Paris.

How much money should I make to live in Paris?

The average salary for jobs in Paris is around 3,750-4,600 EUR per month (before taxes). If you’re making at least this amount, you can live comfortably here. However, if you have a family and kids to support, you might want to aim higher. Earning between 7,500-10,000 EUR gross per month is considered a good salary for a family.

Will I be able to survive in Paris without speaking French?

Paris is an international city that attracts many Indians every year, so it is possible to get around if you are new to France, especially in central areas, but it can feel limiting. English is usually understood in tourists arears, universities, multinational companies and among young professionals. You will usually face the language barrier when you need to complete official paperwork, make a phone call, find a flat, see a doctor, or apply for jobs.

However, learning basic French before or soon after moving will make life in Paris much better and help you feel more independent. Treat your time in Paris as an opportunity to learn some French. There are many language schools and City of Paris courses for beginners and language apps that can help you improve in your own time and on your budget.

We’re not just in Paris! InterNations has lively communities in 420 cities around the globe.

If you’re thinking about moving abroad or are simply in the mood for a good night out while traveling, InterNations is your go-to platform. As a member, you’re welcome to join events in any of our InterNations Communities.