France
Dating in France as an expat: ten city guides and a free profile
Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux and more: meet internationals and French singles who enjoy a story from somewhere else.
- Ten city guides
- Free to start
- Paid plans in euros
- Manual checks on many profiles
In short
Dating in France is less about rules than about time: long conversations, unhurried meals and a slow start. ExpatSingles helps expats begin with people who share the experience of living abroad. Join free, set your city and get suggestions near you every day.
- Guides: ten French city guides, from Paris and Lyon to Nice and Lille.
- Free of charge: a full profile, suggestions every day, the badge check and some messages daily.
- Languages: write in English or French, and tick Language Exchange if you like to mix.
- VIP: unlimited messages, from €16.99 a week.
France attracts people with its cities, its food and its way of life, and many newcomers discover that the hardest part is not the language but the social circle. Friendships often go back to school and university, and an invitation into them takes time. Dating in France as an expat is easier when you begin with people who also arrived from elsewhere, or French singles who welcome it.
Why expats try online dating in France
A dating site lets you meet people outside work and the language course, at a pace you choose.
ExpatSingles in France
Made France your home and hoping to meet someone there? That is what ExpatSingles is for
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A shared experience
The people you meet have moved country themselves, or would love to date someone who has, so paperwork stories and homesickness need no translation.
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Your languages, your choice
Write in English or French, and say on your profile which you prefer.
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Close to home
Suggestions follow your own city and distance, whether that is a Paris arrondissement or a village near Montpellier.
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Discretion
Members see your username and nearest town, never your full name, email or address.
Pick a city below for its guide: the quartiers expats live in, the places for a first date and how dating there feels when you are new.
Expat dating guides for ten French cities
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Paris
Le Marais, Canal Saint-Martin and Saint-Germain
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Lyon
Croix-Rousse, Confluence and Presqu'île
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Marseille
Cours Julien, Vieux-Port and Le Panier
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Toulouse
Carmes, Saint-Cyprien and Jean-Jaurès
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Nice
Vieux Nice, Le Port and Quartier des Musiciens
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Bordeaux
Chartrons, Saint-Pierre and Bacalan
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Nantes
Bouffay, Graslin and Île de Nantes
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Strasbourg
Krutenau, Orangerie and Neudorf
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Montpellier
L'Écusson, Port Marianne and Les Arceaux
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Lille
Vieux-Lille, Wazemmes and Vauban
Dating culture in France: a few useful notes
French dating culture is often described as less formal about labels than in English-speaking countries: people tend to see each other a few times and let things develop, rather than talking about going on dates. Clear, honest interest is appreciated.
Meals matter. A first date over coffee or lunch is common, and a dinner can last much longer than you might expect, so do not plan anything straight after. Greeting with la bise, a light kiss on each cheek, is normal among friends; follow your date's lead.
Trying a little French goes a long way, even if the conversation switches to English. Ticking Language Exchange on your profile is an easy way to show you are happy to practise.
Free to join
Take your time in France, starting with a free hello
Set your city and see who lives nearby. Only your username and your town are ever on show.
Join freeHow to start dating in France on ExpatSingles
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Create a free profile
Your username, a recent photo and the city you live in now.
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Add your languages
Say whether you write in English, French or both.
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Get a verified badge
The ID check is free; a video call with a moderator works too.
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Start a conversation
Write a few messages a day free of charge, or choose VIP to write without a limit.
Dating safely in France
- Cafes and markets. A first date in a cafe or at a market is about as safe as it gets. Keep the first conversations on ExpatSingles; the site warns you when a match wants to move to WhatsApp or another app, which is how many scams start.
- Money and photo checks. Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr, the official French service, advises never to send money to someone you have only spoken to online or by phone, and suggests a reverse image search on their photos. If you never met the person and money was requested, a complaint can be filed online through THESEE on the Service Public website. Info Escroqueries, the Interior Ministry's free fraud line, answers on 0 805 805 817 on weekdays.
- Card details shared? If your card or account details were shared, contact your bank to block the card and dispute the payments. In an emergency call 17 or 112, or send a free text message to 114 if you cannot speak.
What ExpatSingles costs in France
A profile, daily suggestions and verification are free in France. The paid plans, VIP and VIP Plus, are in euros, and each longer plan shows its monthly cost below the total.
| Plan length | VIP | VIP Plus |
|---|---|---|
| 1 week | €16.99 | €17.99 |
| 1 month | €44.95 | €38.53 |
| 3 months | €84.95€28.32 a month | €89.87€29.96 a month |
| 6 months | €111.95€18.66 a month | €128.31€21.39 a month |
| 12 months | €169.95€14.16 a monthpaid once | €208.05€17.34 a monthpaid once |
Shorter plans, from one week to six months, keep renewing until you cancel. The year plan is paid in one go and stops by itself. What each membership includes.
Dating in France: questions from expats
How does dating in France work for expats?
Dating in France for expats usually starts slowly: people meet a few times, talk a lot and let a relationship develop without many labels. Meeting other internationals, or French singles open to them, makes the start easier.
Do I need to speak French to date in France?
You do not need fluent French to date in France on ExpatSingles; many members write in English. A few words of French, and Language Exchange on your profile, are a friendly touch.
How much does ExpatSingles cost in France?
ExpatSingles is free to join in France. VIP costs €44.95 for a month or €169.95 for a year paid once, about €14.16 a month.
Is messaging free on ExpatSingles?
Messaging on ExpatSingles is free up to a few messages a day, and you can always answer VIP members. Once you are verified, the group chat rooms are open to you too; VIP removes the daily limit.
How do I report a romance scam in France?
A romance scam in France can be reported online through THESEE on the Service Public website, or at a police station or gendarmerie. Info Escroqueries on 0 805 805 817 gives free advice, and your bank can block your card.
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