Paris is one of the most famous and instantly recognisable cities in the world. Thirteen million people visit every year, and many of them dream of living there. One of the most cosmopolitan and flourishing cities in Europe, Paris is a great place to start a career, build a network, and have a professional experience unlike any other.

5 Reasons To Work In Paris:

  • The Money

First of all, France is one of the most established economic superpowers in the EU, and Paris is at the center of that wealth. Almost a third (approximately 30%) of Metropolitan France’s GDP is generated in the city, where the majority of high-level business gets done. In fact, the Paris region contributes more to Europe’s GDP than the entire country of Switzerland.

Paris is also the headquarters for more Fortune 500 companies than anywhere else in Europe. Any careers in engineering, data analysis, or design would be at home in Paris, where the cost of living is roughly 20% less than in London. Some of France’s most lucrative areas of industry are the machinery, automotive, aviation, and electronics sectors​.

  • The Culture

Paris is renowned as a global cultural hub, boasting a rich tapestry of art, theatre, architecture, music, and history. The city's cultural landscape is further enhanced by significant projects related to the upcoming 2024 Olympics, such as La Seine Musicale, a modern cultural complex that exemplifies innovative design and natural materials​.

In addition to its cultural attractions, France offers a worker-focused culture, highlighted by its 35-hour workweek policy, which allows employees more personal time. Despite this official limit, many employees work overtime, compensated either financially or with additional time off, known as RTT (Réduction du temps de travail).

  • The Food

France famously has some of the best food in the world, and the people who live in Paris get to enjoy the very best of that cuisine. Cooking is a point of pride for the French, and is something you should try to experience as much of as possible. All types of food can be found in its perfected form on the streets of Paris, so no matter your favourite dish is, you can find it somewhere.

  • Social Care

France has some of the best care in Europe because all citizens must have health insurance. This insurance system means that the majority of healthcare costs are covered by the state. This makes the healthcare system very accessible, even for foreigners. Around 30% of the taxes go towards welfare, so there is a strong safety net that can help remove a lot of the pressure in daily life.

  • Transport Links to The Rest Of Europe

Paris is connected to the world by over two hundred daily direct flights to destinations outside Europe, around seven hundred daily flights to European cities, as well as high-speed trains to London, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Munich. From France you can travel to Spain, England, Germany, and other major EU countries.

If your work requires you to travel, there are few places in the world that are better connected than Paris.

Read VHR’s Guide To Getting A Job, check out our Guide To Working in Europe, or read about the best jobs to apply for in 2019.