Welcome to The Local's "Americans in France" newsletter for members, featuring all the news and practical information you need as an American resident, visitor or second-home owner in France. You can sign up to receive it directly to your inbox before we publish it online via the link below.
Dear Americans in France,
As we wrap up celebrations of America's 250th anniversary and France's national day, le 14 juillet, I've been considering a different way to reflect on the two and a half centuries since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
One way to judge America's 250 years is to look at its relationship with its oldest ally - there have been plenty of ups and downs, as well as moments where one country inspired the other. Our Declaration of Independence influenced France's Droits de l'homme et du citoyen. Later, in the 20th century, American writers and artists escaped to France, seeking a freer, more accepting landscape.
That same dream of being able to work from anywhere in the world is particularly alive in 2026. The past month has also reignited the conversation around the rules of remote work in France.
The issue of foreigners working remotely in France while on a 'visitor' visa has long been a confusing grey area. The question boils down to the murky definition of 'work in France', as the visitor visa requires applicants to promise they will abstain from 'work in France'.
We now (finally) have an answer from the Interior Ministry, as well as parliament.
Last year, France welcomed over 100 million visitors, many of them coming during the summer months. If you have friends or family visiting, Airbnb can be a great rental option, especially in rural areas. That said, local authorities in areas with a housing shortage are increasingly pushing back on tourist rentals (including Airbnb). The restrictions are mainly aimed at owners, not visitors, but they're still worth being aware of.
France has also experienced a summer of record-breaking heat and forest fires, and we're not even to August yet. For those looking to visit, we keep updated maps showing the wildfires and warnings in place. And even if you are in an area that has not yet experienced a forest fire, it is still worth checking the risk level.
If you've been bombarded with questions about where to go to escape the heat, we have a few ideas, from caves to catacombs.
Do you have any other suggestions or questions? We'd love to hear from you via our ongoing Americans in France survey.
One reader, Gretchen Rose in Paris, requested advice for finding a trusted firm to handle French and US tax filings. "I have heard awful stories of expats using firms that did not know what they were doing. I would like the additional help from a trusted resource," Rose told us.
My first tip is to look at the free, English-language resources available on the tax website if you are looking for small clarifications. You can also visit or call your local tax office (albeit in French).
If you feel you'd benefit from professional advice, start by understanding the different terms, such as fiscaliste and expert comptable.
You can scroll through the online annuaire of registered accountants, but beware that their expertise will focus on French matters. Americans in France should seek out experts with cross-border knowledge, particularly with expertise in the US-FR tax treaty.
Late summer is a great time to start looking for professional tax help, as the season has ended and you can take your time finding the right fit.
As for Rose's tips for fellow Americans in France, she recommended "[Absorbing] the culture and the idiosyncracies.
"It’s part of living in a new culture. Do not place ‘American’ expectations on France. You likely came to escape elements of the US that did not work well for you. There are trade-offs, and in the end, France is a pretty great place to live."
À la prochaine . . .
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