Expat Services France / Relocation / Homestays

09/06/2026

⭐ Another successful relocation to France!
A huge thank you to Mike Palladino for his kind words and for trusting Expat Services France throughout his move to France.

Helping international families settle smoothly is exactly why we created Expat Services France more than 17 years ago.

From securing accommodation before arrival to arranging utilities, bank accounts and practical support, our goal is simple:
Allow our clients to enjoy their new life in France instead of worrying about administration.

Thank you again Mike for your trust and welcome to France! 🇫🇷

Need to contact us :
[email protected]

28/05/2026

Sometimes, the most beautiful relocation stories begin with something very simple… a walk through Lyon and a photo taken in front of our office on Quai Tilsitt 😊
A few months later, this American couple contacted Expat Services France from upstate New York with a dream: relocating to Lyon and starting a new chapter in France.
Today, they are happily settled into their dream apartment in the heart of Lyon, and reading their words honestly means so much to me.
Thank you for your trust and welcome again to Lyon ❤️🇫🇷

Here is their review :
"After visiting Lyon in the fall of 2024, my wife and I began to dream of moving there. On one of our walks along Quai Tilsitt, we spotted the offices of Expat Services. The office was closed, but I took a photo of the window with all of the contact information.

Fast forwarding to this past winter, we found ourselves freezing our butts off in upstate NY and reached out to Expat Services to begin planning our relocation. Initial email exchanges led to online meetings with founder Sophie Dord whom we hired to help us find housing and to set up a French bank account. Sophie also connected us with those who could guide us through the long stay visa process.

Before arriving in Lyon, Sophie had met with us several times online and gathered information on our needs and interests. The day after our arrival, she welcomed us at her office and outlined our upcoming day of apartment hunting which included accompanying us to five apartments.

By the end of the day, we had made our selection and let Sophie know of our interest in a beautiful, one-bedroom, furnished apartment in the heart of the city. Within hours she let us know we had been accepted and over the following days, Sophie took us through the entire process of leasing, including being present for the final inspection and handing over of the keys to our dream apartment in Lyon.
Might we have been able to do this on our own? Perhaps.

But certainly not without a lot of headaches given language and paperwork. Expat Services thus proved invaluable to us in realizing our dream to settle here in Lyon.
Merci Sophie and Expat Services France!"

27/05/2026

Thinking about making France your next chapter?

From the lively streets of Paris to the Alpine shores of Annecy, France offers something different to every person who chooses to call it home. But knowing where to start — the right city, the right neighbourhood, the right visa — makes all the difference.

We've put together an honest guide to 5 destinations worth considering, with real budgets, real communities and no false promises.

📖 Read the full article: https://www.expat-services-france.eu/5-inspiring-destinations-to-start-a-new-life-in-france/

At Expat Services France, we've been helping individuals and families settle in France since 2009. 17 years on the ground. 45 nationalities. One dedicated team.

Reach out if you'd like to talk through your situation. 🇫🇷

Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Montpellier or Annecy - which French city is right for your retirement? Real budgets, healthcare access, expat community and quality of life. A relocation expert's honest guide.

13/05/2026

12/05/2026

Sometimes, relocation is not only about housing.
It’s about reassurance. 🤍

Today, I received this message from a future client:

“I am incredibly grateful for your positive response and your willingness to help me. Hearing that you can assist me brings me so much relief…”

Reading words like these reminds me why I created Expat Services France more than 16 years ago.

When people prepare an international move, they are often dealing with uncertainty, stress, paperwork, housing pressure, schools, visas, language barriers… and sometimes simply the fear of starting over in a new country.

Yes, we help with housing searches, administrative procedures and settling-in services all over France.
But beyond the practical side, our role is also to reassure, guide and support people during a major life transition.

And honestly, that human connection is probably the most rewarding part of this job.

Thank you to all the expatriates, families, retirees and students who trust us with such an important chapter of their lives. 🇫🇷

07/05/2026

Today, back out in the field for a wonderful day of viewings in Lyon with a lovely retired American couple who are in the midst of planning their new life in France 🇫🇷🇺🇸

And honestly… I was very pleasantly surprised by the current market in Lyon: plenty of properties available, all of very high quality, with great features and plenty of choice. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a day where I viewed… 7 apartments in a row!

One of them really caught their eye 🤞✨

And as always, these days are also an opportunity to work hand in hand with trusted partners. Thank you to our favorite real estate agents for their professionalism and responsiveness 👏

A well-deserved little break at the Brasserie des Brotteaux before heading out for more viewings ☕🥐

22/04/2026

If you are planning a move to France and feeling overwhelmed by how complex things can be… you are not alone 😊

At Expat Services France, we support expatriates, international families, students and retirees in making their move to France as smooth and stress-free as possible.

We are a relocation agency based in Lyon, working all over France through a strong network of local consultants who know their cities inside out.

What we do in a few words:

We help you find and secure a long-term rental in a very competitive French market, by preparing a strong application file, organizing viewings (in person or remotely), and guiding you all the way to the lease signature.

We also assist with your settling-in process, including setting up utilities (electricity, gas, internet), helping you understand how things work locally, and making sure you can move into your new home with peace of mind.

Beyond housing, we can guide you through the essential administrative steps of moving to France, such as opening a French bank account, navigating healthcare registration, and connecting you with trusted partners for visas, tax, and legal matters.

Over the years, we have supported clients across many cities including Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Nice, Marseille, Lille, Nantes and more — and we are particularly experienced with American retirees relocating to France, as well as corporate employees and international students.

Our approach is very practical and hands-on: we don’t just give advice, we actually do things with you and for you.

If you are considering a move and would like to understand how it could work in your situation, we usually start with an initial consultation to answer your questions and map out the next steps.

Feel free to reach out or visit our website : expat-services-france.eu

We would be happy to help you make your move to France a success 🇫🇷

On the pic :
Sophie Dord
Founder of Expat Services France
Relocation & Homestay Specialist
Supporting expats across France for 17 years