Gap Year in Paris, France

For a gapper, Paris means an opportunity to learn more about art history, become fluent in French, study culinary arts, or perhaps dive into an internship in fashion, business, or international politics. Whatever interest or area of professional development you want to explore, Paris is sure to allow you the gap year of your dreams.

France as a whole is one of the top cultural centers, but also home to an array of attractions for you to see during your gap year. Furthermore, Paris is France’s most modern city and a leader in politics, arts, and fashion.

So get ready to spend your gap year in the place known as the “City of Lights”, and be awestruck by Paris’s beauty and history. There is something for everyone and finding something to do in your off-time should be no problem. Let Paris take you on the adventure of a lifetime!

Whether you want to be an au pair, teach English, learn French, volunteer, or intern, Paris has what you’re looking for.

Au Pair:

To become an au pair in Paris, you should already have some experience with children and childcare, and in some cases, you might have to have some basic French speaking skills as well. If you qualify though, it’s a great way to legally work in France (they even have a visa for it). Furthermore, some au pair gigs come with French classes -- double perk!

The tasks and responsibilities of an au pair might vary depending on the age of the children but in general, these include: bringing/picking them up from school, feeding, bathing, playing, and helping them with homework; household tasks related to the children and helping with family tasks such as setting the table, doing dishes, etc.

Some families want an au pair to help their children learn English, so be sure to ask if this is a responsibility of yours as well. In exchange, you’ll get to discover Paris while immersing yourself in a true Parisian family life.

Do note, however, that as an au pair, your time is far less flexible than you may be used to. If you want to also spend time exploring France and the rest of Europe, plan to tack on a few weeks or months before or after your time as an au pair for travel.

Teach English:

There are several ways that you could teach English in Paris. France’s government program, TAPIF, private language academies, business teaching, and private lessons are the most popular ways (however, teachers who enroll in TAPIF rarely get placed in Paris).

A general level of professionalism, a basic understanding of French, TEFL certificate, and relevant teaching experience aren’t required but are highly encouraged. As the English language is growing in demand which means that the demand for suitable teachers has risen along with it.

Internships:

Internships are one of the best ways to improve your French and gain some professional experience, not to mention spending a gap year in a foreign country looks great on your resume. Internships are often reserved for college and graduate students and are seldom paid since they are typically done for school credit. A few industries that are popular in Paris are art, architecture, fashion, media, politics, and marketing.

There are certain organizations that will help you through the application process and will help you find a placement in your field. If this is a consideration for you, having an intermediate to advanced level of French will help significantly.

French Language Courses:

France is a key economic partner and is the 3rd chosen country for foreign investors. French is a major language of high-tech and business - tourism and hospitality industry and research institutes. Learning French can improve the interpersonal skills you will bring to your international internship or professional job. By learning French in France, students will be able to learn from native French speakers, the proper French accent, and practice with the locals. There are a variety of ways that you can learn French in France, those being: university courses, private tutoring, homestay programs and cultural immersion. With ways to make it affordable, there is no reason to not take advantage of learning the local language!

Visa Information

France is a member of the Schengen Agreement. This is 26 European countries that have removed passport and immigration control from their joint borders. In order to move freely from country to country during your stay in Paris, you will need to acquire a Schengen visa before you travel. For more information on this type of Visa, please consult the Schengen Visa website.

Living in Paris can be very expensive. Housing prices there are similar to what you might see in New York City. It’s typically cheaper to live outside of Paris and travel into the city if you need to -- though if you’re thrifty and creative, you may be able to make it work (especially as an au pair!).

You can save money on transportation by walking, biking, or taking the bus and metro. Paris is well-connected by public transportation.