Moving to Toulouse, France from the US
Toulouse has a rich heritage with remarkable architecture to match. Toulouse is known as “La Ville Rose”, the pink city, named because of the pink stone used to build its churches. A renowned tourist destination, Toulouse has two Unesco heritage sites: the Canal du Midi and the Basilica of St. Sernin, which is the largest Romanesque building in Europe.
It’s not just the beauty and history of Toulouse that’s attractive. It’s a thriving city, the 4th largest in France, with a surrounding populating of 1.2 million. Toulouse has seen France’s biggest economic growth in recent years, the largest population growth, AND was voted the second-best place in the country to work.
History and culture
The Garonne valley was a trade point for the Pyrenees, Mediterranean and Atlantic, from the Iron Age onwards. As “Tolosa” in the 2nd century BC it became a roman military outpost.
Through the next few centuries Toulouse was a key city for a number of kingdoms and powers, including Christians, Catholics and Muslims.
In the Treaty of Paris of 1229 Toulouse submitted to the crown of France. It was declared a “royal city” in 1271. becoming an intellectual and artistic centre. The city suffered from the Black Death, the Hundred Years’ War and famine.
In the 15th century it grew again through the wine and textile industry, then, from the popularity of a blue dye called “pastel” made from the plant Woad. Architecture and fine arts flourished even more in the city from this period. The city was modernised, with some rebuilding in the 18th Century, from which some stunning feats of architecture emerged.
Languages
As well as French, the region has an occasionally used dialect of French “Occitan”, one of the Romance Languages.
Though English is taught across France and there are many English speakers, the majority of the time you will only find basic English spoken and the expectation of a new resident will be to speak French as quickly as possible.
Location, geography, and climate
Toulouse sits on the banks of the River Garonne and is intersected by the Canal du Midi. It is around an hour’s drive from both the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. And two hours from the Pyrenees mountain range which separates France and Spain.
Toulouse is 680km from Paris, in the department of Haute-Garonne and the region of Occitanie, in the south-west of France.
The south of France is warm and welcoming. Toulouse has a humid subtropical, or “submediterranean” climate due to its closeness to the Mediterranean climate zone.
Winters are mild and summers hot, but not uncomfortable, and there is plenty of sunshine through spring and autumn. Annual rainfall is low and the average temperature is 20C, rising to 30C+ in summer, falling to an average of just 12C in the daytime during winter. It’s a very comfortable place to live.
Making your move to Toulouse
Visas and residency for Toulouse, France
As a citizen of the USA you can visit France for up to 90 days. To stay longer you will need to apply for a long-term French visa (visa long de sèjour).
Important note: long stay visas must be applied for before you arrive in France!
Long Stay Visas for France
Long stay visas are usually for 12 months, you will have to register at the Immigration Office (OFFI) within three months of arrival, and apply for residency later.
Spouse Visa
Usually taking about three weeks, and free to apply for. A spouse visa can be granted for a 12-month period.
Work Visa
To obtain a work visa you need to have a job in France first. You’ll need to have your work contract approved by the French Labour Ministry and then the OFFI offices. Your employer should include your family in their application file and it will take around three weeks, and cost around $100.
Visitor Visa
If you are not planning on working but would like to stay for longer than 90 day’s, there is a visitor visa which takes around a month to process. As well as the usual identity documentation you will need a letter explaining what you plan to do in France, and proof that you can support yourself, proof of your accommodation and your medical insurance.
Student Visa
For a student visa you will need financial guarantees, proof of enrolment, and other documents from Campus France. It takes about two weeks and costs $50.
Au Pair Visa
Students between the ages of 17 and 30 can apply for an au pair visa. You’ll need an “au pair contract” approved by the French ministry of labour, an invitation from your host family, and you will need to attend French courses.
There are also scientist’s, internship, and diplomatic visas.
Staying in France for longer than a year
Two months before your visa runs out you must apply for a residency permit (carte de sèjour) to stay longer than six months. You have to take all your documentation to the local prefecture to file your application. You will need to prove your family situation, financial resources, employment contract, address, and have all your identification. You will also need to prove you have a good grasp of French.
American Embassy in Toulouse
There is a US Consulate office in Toulouse. The consulate can help American citizens in an emergency, help deal with passport issues and offer certain other services.
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Pets
You can take your pets with you to France. France accepts dogs, cats and ferrets under the following conditions.
- They must be microchipped and tattooed, there are rules for the type of microchip
- Every animal must have a valid rabies vaccination, administered after any microchip, and at least 21 days prior to travel
- A blood test is not required for pets travelling from the USA and Canada
- An official health certificate must be completed and endorsed by the USDA
- The pet has to be accompanied by its owner during non-commercial movement
You may also take reptiles, small rodents, rabbits and birds to France. A health certificate must be issued and endorsed under the USDA.
The full rules for all animals can be found here
Travelling to Toulouse
Travelling to Toulouse by air
There are no direct flights to Toulouse Airport from the USA. You will need to change flights, most likely in the UK, Brussels or Paris. Not everywhere in the US has a route directly to Paris. In some cases, you could fly to Paris and make the rest of the journey to Toulouse by road or train.
Travelling to Toulouse by sea
You may be able to take a freight liner or cruise ship and make your passage to France by sea. It would take a few weeks, and unless you have arranged space on a freighter it doesn’t mean you can take extra baggage. You would then need to make the journey from your arrival port in France to Toulouse.
Shipping and removals
To transport the contents of your home, or those important belongings you wish to take with you, you must pack them, organise insurance and customs documents, and arrange transport both across land and sea. It’s a big task, and one thing that may be better to hire experts for, to make sure it’s 100% perfect. There would be nothing worse than starting your new life without your belongings.
A shipping and removals company will work with you to completely secure and transport your belongings. If you take a full service, they will create an inventory, pack, load and transport from your old home to your new home, stress free. A shipping and removals company will also take care of things like insurance and customs requirements.
What to pack for a move to Toulouse
If you are shipping your possessions, you must make sure they are wrapped safely and securely and protected from damp as they could be in transit for a while.
You can ship your belongings ahead of time, so they are waiting for you when you arrive. If you are going to be waiting for the rest of your items when you arrive in Toulouse, it’s important to pack what you will need immediately, and to pack appropriately for you how you will be travelling.
Depending on where you are from in the USA you may want to leave behind some of your winter clothing, unless of course you are planning to explore, or ski, the Pyrenees or Alps.
Remember you are moving to a country where English is not the first language. Though you will be able to order English language books online, you won’t find them in the shops. If you are shipping your belongings you may want to take some English titles with you, especially if you have children. Or consider moving to e-books.
Suitcase essentials
A few quick tips on suitcase and hand luggage contents:
- Pack according to what you have decided to purchase new when you get to Toulouse
- Pack as if you were going on vacation, if you are likely to be waiting for your shipment of belongings that will meet you there
- Add a few items which are important to you or remind you of home, like photo’s or treasured items of your children’s. This will help their transition to a new home straight away
- Take important documentation with you when you travel, ideally in your hand luggage if you are flying. This should include things like birth certificates, passports, visa’s, marriage certificates and bank cards.
- Create digital copies of your important photo’s, paperwork and documents and make sure they are stored safely so you are prepared for any lost luggage issues. Although rare they do happen.
- Look closely at weather forecasts when you arrive and plan clothing accordingly. If you are starting work or have children starting school immediately what might you need?
All that said don’t give in to the temptation to overpack. Only pack what you can comfortably carry transport with you.
Living in Toulouse
Employment
As of September 2017, unemployment in France was 9.7%.. Toulouse is a technological hub for France and is voted the second-best place in the country to work. Toulouse is home to aeronautical giants Airbus who employ around 20,000 people and at the time of writing have 553 live vacancies.
Toulouse is the centre of the European aerospace industry and home to the largest space centre in Europe. There are many aeronautical suppliers and other technology and engineering firms based in the city.
There are also four universities with the largest, the University of Toulouse, home to 103,000 students. Other strong industries and major employers in Toulouse include business services, personal services, transportation, trade and hospitality. The Eurocentre in the North of Toulouse is a major economic hub.
You will need a good level of French language ability, both spoken and written to be able to work for a French employer. Depending on the type of role you are interested in, you may need an excellent level of French language ability.
Looking for work in Toulouse
France has a national employment agency Pôle Emploi which posts jobs. There are also many jobs websites include Indeed, Monster and Craiglist, Expatica have a more detailed list.
If you are planning to work in France you will need to find a job first, and then apply for a work visa.
Education
Children in France must attend school between the ages of six and 16. There are primary level schools (école), elementary or middle schools (collège) and high schoosl (lycée).
You can choose from French state schools, state contracted private schools, or independent/international schools in France. Home schooling is legal in France under the guidance of the school’s inspectorate.
State schools will teach in French and expect a certain level of achievement in the language. Some may offer extra support in English. Attending a French school will help children to integrate into French society faster, but can be demanding.
International Schools
International schools for the Toulouse area are in nearby Colomiers. They are the International School of Toulouse, and the German school Deutsche Schule Toulouse.
Universities
There four major universities in Toulouse including the University of Toulouse, which is actually split into three. There are hundreds of thousands of students in the Toulouse area and a thriving student economy. Toulouse also has a number of excellent colleges including the Toulouse Business School (TBS) and the Toulouse School of Economics alongside several engineering schools.
Cost of living in Toulouse
The cost of living in Toulouse is around 11% lower than Paris. Toulouse is ranked 115th out of 523 cities for cost of living. Renting a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre will cost around 1,150 EURO per month, outside the city centre that falls to 825 EURO. A loaf of bread will cost 1.11 EURO, a dozen eggs 3.15 EURO, and a beer 1.80 EURO. A three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant is likely to cost around 50 EURO.
Transportation
You’ll be pleased to hear the French also drive on the right.
Public transport
The transport network in Toulouse is good, but there is no high-speed TGV rail connection with Paris, so it will take 5 hours on the train. There is an extensive bus system, and the Toulouse Metro, made up of automatic trains.
The main rail system has regional and national services, the station is Toulouse-Matabiau. There is also a single tram line running from Beauzelle to Toulouse.
Cycling
An across city bicycle rental scheme, the Vélô Toulouse was introduced in 2007.
Airports
The main airport is Toulouse Blagnac with a secondary airport, Toulouse Lasbordes, neither have direct flights to the USA.
Driving Licences
You can drive in France with your US driving licence but should carry a translated, notarized copy. If you are a resident of France, and from certain US states, you can exchange your US licence for a French one if you apply three months before the 12-month period is over. For other US states you will have to take the French written and practical driving tests, once the 12-month period has expired.
More information on eligible and un-eligible states can be found here.
Neighborhoods
Minimes – Just north of the Canal du Midi, this area is a mixture of apartments and houses. It is a quiet area, but is just 10 minutes from the heart of the city by bus. Côte Pavée – A residential area to the south-east of the city, made up of modern apartment buildings in a calm atmosphere near the Canal du Midi.
Saint Etienne – Located in the centre of the city, southeast of Place Esquirol, this is where the aristocrats of Toulouse built their own houses. It remains the most expensive area in the city to this day with many luxury and antique stores.
Saint Cyprien – Previously little known despite its closeness to the city centre, Saint Cyprien attracts everyone these days. It is a melting pot of cultures and styles and its current popularity is pushing property prices upwards, nearing those of the city centre.
Les Carmes – The area around place des Carmes is a stone’s throw from the city centre. Its medieval style streets are an important part of its charm, and it is a lively and popular spot by day and by day.
Cultural centers
Toulouse is a major tourist destination in France for those seeking its beautiful architecture, colourful history, and endearing French culture.
You can explore the coral coloured shopfronts and churches in the “Vieux Quartier” (Old Quarter), or the newer areas of the sprawling metropolis. Toulouse is lively and hectic, but with an old-world charm.
As Toulouse is so close to the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, the Pyrenees, or Spain just across the border, many locals enjoy the city on a Thursday, then head out of the city over the weekend. Toulouse is also close to Biarritz, the Dordogne, Carcassone and Languedoc for exploring. Or, take a drive through the many, surrounding, beautiful villages.
You can visit 18th Century Château’s or tour the quintessential French vineyards just 40 minutes away. Within the city itself there are many historic buildings, churches, galleries, and museums.
There is a strong expat community and a large international student population in this welcoming French city.
Major events
In July each year a travelling world music festival, the Convivencia, follows the course of the Canal du Midi. In March there is the Flamenco festival, June the Rio Loco festival. October sees Cinespaña, and a major antiques fair in November. One of the most interesting events for expats is the Grand Falconer’s Festival in Cordes-sur-Ciel in July, one of the oldest medieval festivals in France.
Sports
Toulouse is home to Stade Toulousain, one of the most successful rugby union clubs in Europe. There is also a successful rugby league team and “Ligue 1”, premier league, football team, Toulouse FC. The Stadium Municipal often hosts major rugby and football matches.
Many other sports are popular in the area, there are water sports centres, golf courses and swimming pools. The Pyrenees mountains are popular with hikers and skiers.