Through IEP's Paris based partner Aquarius a wide range of jobs are available. Below are a few examples of things to do on your working adventure in France.

Wine
France is where the love of wine started. The French are still masters in viniculture and every kid is brought up with that knowledge. If you're looking for a career in wine then an OE in France is the perfect start. Learn the trade from the masters of the old-world!

Hospitality
As everywhere in the world the hospitality business is booming. Positions are always available in restaurants, brasseries, shops, and hotels. Do you want to be a chef or waiter? The choice is yours. If you already have a background in cooking then IEP's Work France program is perfect to fire up those skills as France is the culinary capital of the world. Rember, almost all world-famous chefs went to France to learn the trade; Gordon Ramsay, Anthony Bourdain, Jamie Oliver...


Ski Fields
If you have an interest in skiing or boarding, we can highly recommend looking for employment in the French Alps. There are over 110 resorts in France - some of which have over 300km of groomed pistes. In larger resorts (e.g. Val D’Isere, Tignes, Chamonix , Les Trois Vallee) there is a lot of competition for jobs (especially from crazy Swedes). We recommend arriving in early October to secure a job as this is when most employers hire. However, there are still opportunities after this date.

Keep in mind that the skiing season runs from mid-November to late April/May in many places.

Limited Language skills?
Many UK-based companies run hotels, bars and restaurants in the Alps and if your French language skills are limited this could be a good place to start. Plus IEP can get you hooked up with a language school that offers a crash course to brush up your French. Parlez-vous Français?

Wages
As of July 2006 the minimum wage in France is €8.27 per hour (approx. NZ$14.10). You can live off this in most places but won’t be able to save much. However, many jobs will pay more.

At your orientation in Paris you will be given extensive information about finding accommodation in France , including website listings for flatting and hostels. If you find a seasonal job e.g. in a ski resort, accommodation is often offered by the employer.

Living in Paris
If you plan on living in Paris or any other major city with a large university population, you need to avoid looking for accommodation around September/October. Also try to avoid the centre of the city as that of course is more expensive. Paris has a good public transport system so the suburbs are a wise choice.

Bond
You will normally have to pay a one or two month bond when you move in. This is standard in continental Europe.

Rent
In central Paris you will pay from €400 to €500 per month for a room in a flat or a one-bedroom studio. But you can easily pay much more, so shop around! Check with the Aquarius staff before signing or moving in.

Home Stay in Paris
Do you want to see how they really live in Paris? IEP, togther with our local partner Aquarius, can organise a home stay with a French family in Paris. Check with IEP for availability and prices. During your home stay you will experience the French culture and lifestyle first hand, you could also pick up a bit of French whilst you are there!

For further information on the home stay, please contact the IEP team on 0800 443 769.