{"id":10343,"date":"2025-06-06T11:58:37","date_gmt":"2025-06-06T09:58:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cei-voyage.fr\/?p=10343"},"modified":"2025-06-06T14:24:35","modified_gmt":"2025-06-06T12:24:35","slug":"10-things-to-know-before-your-stay-in-france","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cei-voyage.fr\/en\/10-things-to-know-before-your-stay-in-france\/","title":{"rendered":"10 things I wish I knew before coming to France"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

France is one of the most beautiful and fascinating countries in the world. But no matter how many guidebooks you read or TikToks you scroll through, there are some things you only learn once you\u2019re here. Whether you\u2019re preparing for your first stay in France or just dreaming about croissants and cobblestone streets, here are ten things I wish someone had told me before I arrived and how experiences like CEI\u2019s can help you enjoy every moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. You don\u2019t need perfect French to connect<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You might think you need to speak fluently to be understood or make friends. But even a few basic phrases like “Bonjour<\/em>, merci<\/em>, \u00e7a va ?”<\/em> can go a long way. People appreciate your effort, and immersion programs like CEI\u2019s are designed to make speaking feel easy and natural. You\u2019ll be surprised how quickly real conversations happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. France is not just baguettes and the Eiffel Tower<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sure, Paris is iconic, but the real magic starts when you explore beyond the capital. Think surfing in Biarritz, hiking through the Alps, strolling medieval streets in Brittany, or catching a sunset in a tiny village you never expected to love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every corner of France feels like a new adventure. And with CEI, you\u2019re living these places. You try the food, meet local people, and feel what everyday life is really like. It\u2019s the kind of experience that turns \u201cjust a trip\u201d into something unforgettable.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Students
Photo: CEI Image Library \u2013 students enjoying a bicycle ride near Mont Saint-Michel during their stay in France<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

3. Yes, that sign really says \u201cferm\u00e9\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This can be a bit frustrating at first\u2026 until you realize it\u2019s part of the slower rhythm here. Life in France is not about rushing. It\u2019s about taking time, enjoying the moment, and knowing that not everything has to be open 24\/7.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Saying \u201cbonjour\u201d really matters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In France, \u201cbonjour\u201d means more than just hello. It\u2019s a small gesture that shows respect and warmth. From shopkeepers to strangers on the street, taking the time to greet someone creates a shared moment. And not saying it might feel surprisingly out of place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Croissants are just the beginning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sure, the croissants and cheese are iconic. But what truly leaves a lasting impression is the meaning behind every meal. It is the pause in the day, the company at the table, and the joy of eating well together.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Photo: CEI Image Library \u2013 students enjoying a crepe party during their language stay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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6. You don\u2019t snack the same way<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In France, snacking isn\u2019t really a thing. People eat at regular times, and that\u2019s that with one delicious exception. Around 4 p.m., it\u2019s time for \u201cle go\u00fbter,\u201d a sweet little break that kids look forward to\u2026 and adults happily join in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Every region feels like a different country<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In France, everything shifts from one region to the next \u2014 the landscapes, the food, even the way people speak. One week you’re surrounded by mountains, the next you’re strolling through a seaside village. CEI’s summer stays let you experience this incredible variety as part of local life.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Panoramic
Photo \u00a9 Adobe Stock<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

8. Sundays are truly for rest<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sundays in France feel different. Most shops are closed, the streets are calm, and everyone seems to take a deep breath. It\u2019s a day for long lunches, lazy afternoons, and enjoying the simple pleasure of slowing down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. You\u2019ll grow in ways you didn\u2019t expect<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A stay in France can open your eyes in ways you never expected. You build real connections, gain confidence, and return home with a fresh perspective. It\u2019s the kind of experience that leaves a mark and stays with you long after the journey ends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. It\u2019s OK to feel out of place at first<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s normal to feel a little out of place at first. Adapting takes time, and some things might surprise you. But with each day, it gets easier. Slowly, routines become familiar, connections grow, and before you know it, France starts to feel like your own little home away from home.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Photo: CEI Image Library \u2013 students enjoying the coastline during a CEI summer stay in Brittany<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Ready for your own adventure?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you want to experience the real France as a true explorer \u2014 CEI\u2019s programs are a great place to start. Whether it\u2019s a summer stay<\/a>, a language immersion<\/a>, or a school year abroad<\/a>, our programs help young people discover local culture, build confidence, and make lifelong memories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to start your adventure?<\/strong> Browse our programs now<\/a> and give your child a summer to remember!











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France is one of the most beautiful and fascinating countries in the world. But no matter how many guidebooks you read or TikToks you scroll through, there are some things you only learn once you\u2019re here. Whether you\u2019re preparing for your first stay in France or just dreaming about croissants and cobblestone streets, here are … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":465,"featured_media":10349,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[496,496],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10343","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cei-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cei-voyage.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10343","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cei-voyage.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cei-voyage.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cei-voyage.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/465"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cei-voyage.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10343"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.cei-voyage.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10343\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10369,"href":"https:\/\/www.cei-voyage.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10343\/revisions\/10369"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cei-voyage.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10349"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cei-voyage.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10343"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cei-voyage.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10343"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cei-voyage.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10343"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}