Living and working in a Paris new town?

I’ve worked for 2 Swiss and 1 Swedish multinationals and English was the default language.

Felt odd on teams calls with sites in Sweden, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Germany & Israel and English is the only language used.

My nephew is Spanish/ British but grew up in Spain and is currently working at a Bosch site in Germany. Although he is learning German, a lot of meetings are held in English (even though no “English” are present) as they don’t speak Spanish. They’re quite impressed how good his English is as he hasn’t said that his mum is British!

One of the Swiss companies I was at, although based in the UK I travelled to HQ a lot. Was appreciated when I spoke what little French I knew and they were happy to help me improve my knowledge- especially picking up idioms/ slang you don’t get taught at school.

Main problem will be when you’re not at work. Will the co find any language courses?

Same as above. Worked in Switzerland where the business language was English but out of work you'll get on much better with your coworkers if you can speak their language.

Your french will very rapidly improve... what % of your office is non french, plus you have 'non work time'. Given that to make this work your employer will be offering a full time contract (as I assume you don't have a EU passport) will they be helping with courses?

I lived in Croissy, which is (just) Yvelines and worked at La Defense. Being on the RER makes a big difference, so finding somewhere to live where you don’t have to drive to get into Paris would be a big help.

The working language was French and my employer made a big effort to bring non-natives up to speed. In smaller groups people would help out with quick summaries, or confirmations, in English, but it obviously makes your life (in general) better if you’re reasonably proficient

EDIT - the above looks a bit self-centered - what I was trying to say was “This was how it worked for me; could well be that it works similar for you”.

My French is non existent but it’s intriguing me nonetheless as I’m hoping it being at a multinational that I might be ok.

Maybe the way you phrased it has clouded what you meant to say, but I think working abroad forces you to learn the local language, unless you really want to live 24/7 in an expat bubble.

As an alternative experience I worked for a Swiss company in France which had English as the official group language. The language spoken on site was French except when someone from Switzerland turned up. I was interviewed for the job in French despite the fact they were interested in my English skills.

I think you need to know more about the job and what is expected of you in terms of languages.

As for St Quentin en Yvelines, as with every French town I've lived in there will be a lively "vie associative" in the town(s) with Paris short train ride away. How well you fit in will depend on how much effort you make with the language. Immerse yourself in French starting now if you're serious about the idea.

If you like things French and go in wanting to be a part of it then jump feet first and don't hold your nose. The first few months your brain will fry, within a few years it will start to feel normal and after a few decades you'll realise there's nowhere else on the planet you'd rather be.

I absolutely love living in France. I’m self employed so I don’t work in French. I am getting more proficient though - some weeks we do loads of socialising with our neighbours and each time it’s a bit more in depth (everyone is nice and very supportive of us learning French, it’s just the better our French gets, the more detailed and interesting conversations can be).

Definitely don’t live somewhere you have to drive - the mayor of Paris is really into walking and cycling and is slowly reducing the numbers of cars going into the city centre. It’s much more pleasant now. The transport in the outer areas is a bit variable (though improving) so choose carefully.

Other than that, France has tomatoes. What more do you want?

Might be with watching this recentNetflix Documentary Series
about one girl's struggles with doing something silimar.

I'd say go for it, if you are at a stage in life where you are able to do this sort of thing without inconveniencing a partner's career or children's education. I have family who moved to a similar peripheral Paris town about 15 years ago for a temporary work opportunity and have permanently settled there as they love it so much.

I wouldn't be too concerned about not having French for working if they aren't. However, if you want any sort of life outside of the office you definitely need some French. Especially in Paris.

I recommend using the Learn French with Paul Noble. It'll have you conversing quickly enough.

Teams meetings are usually interesting in my experience. I work for a multinational and for a long time I felt left out during the pre-meeting pleasantries where everyone else exchanges hellos and how are you in their languages. I can do French (I should hope so as I married to a French woman), but when almost everyone else can do it in multiple languages. Put's us Brits to shame.

@Clover, how did you manage to find work without having French language in the first place? I take you were there pre-brexit?