Hi All:
I just moved to Versailles from Seattle. I’d love to connect with other expats and share info on how to navigate the culture, etc. here in France. Just survived my first major “canicule.” By “survive” I mean I checked into a hotel because my apartment has no air conditioning!
What are your favorite survival skills?
Laura
Aperol spritzes with a bunch of bawdy English-speaking females.
Hi Laura and welcome to SF.
Is your move permanent or just passing through? Some are a little sensitive about the expression ex-pats because it implies return.
One of the things that helps survive a heatwave without AC is careful heat and airflow management, opening windows overnight, drawing curtains and shutters in the day to reduce solar gain. One does acclimatise a little too. 
Shutters on south facing windows, throwing the windows open to let fresh air in of a morning and then closing them up to keep the house cool throughout the day.
Checking tradesfolk have the correct certificates and insurance for the services they say they offer.
Thank you! I’m here for at least a year. I didn’t realize that “expat” could be an offensive term. Thanks for the heads up. I meant it in the context of one living outside their home country. 
What brought you here, Laura?
Sorry, I thought you meant what’s my best tip for surviving France.
Probably a Triple Seven or an A340.
Welcome, Laura.
That’s the main point of SF, though (almost) all are welcome.
I fell in love with the Paris area the first time I came here in March. The universe gave me the time and opportunity, so I just went for it!
I’m enjoying the challenge of learning a new language and excited to explore France and Europe!
What brought you here?
A fair number of Trumpers and the UK equivalent seem to fall by the wayside for some reason…
Hiya!
Welcome to France!
How exciting for you?..different to Seattle for sure (coffee here is terrible by comparison) but you will love your time here.
Advice?..go have fun and explore and meet people.
How’s your French? If not great, go learn and enjoy.
Once again… 
It’s sensitive for some because they have made France their home on a permanent basis. You’re honest about living here for a year and expat is fine and accurate. There’s another category too, of people like me, who live elsewhere but own a home in France and spend I few weeks or longer there. We’re coming over at the end of next week from the UK - we’ve been coming to France for more than 30 years and love it there even though home is the UK.
Welcome to France
What brought you here… was it Work or Study ??? (you sound too young to be retired 
)
Let’s call it a belated gap year! 
For me it was when I stepped off the train in the Gare de l’Est in June 1977. There didn’t seem to be any easy way for me to live in Europe until I retired, but I finally got here.
A welcome from me too @LauraInVersailles, my view of Paris now coincides more with the French attitude towards it in deepest France, but in my case stems from the horrors of driving there. When there on foot or by train it is magical. Maybe I’ll go again one day, but it won’t be behind the wheel. 
Who doesn’t enjoy a wee spin around l’étoile de Gaulle ?
Frankly, I hate any driving in Paris. Worse still is trying to follow our Parisian friends, who drive at breakneck speed with total disregard to anything on the roads and who seem bent on losing us in the melée
I’ve only had to actually drive in/through Paris, when OH fell ill during a visit up there… and I had to get him/us back to Dordogne sharpish.
Welcome to France, and to Survive France! From a fellow former PNW resident (go Beavs!).