One of the most popular cities in Europe is the French capital of Paris. It’s a place where a mixture of high culture and a rich history are all balanced with progress and modernity. Yet, when moving to any new place, especially a place that’s as popular and crowded as Paris, there’s an overwhelming list of things to think about. 

If you’re a digital nomad who is planning to stay or visit Paris, your requirements and wants from the city may be completely different from those who are simply visiting or are planning to work in a corporate job there. With this guide, you can easily incorporate that digital nomad lifestyle in Paris.

From the do’s and don’ts of finding accommodation and settling into a whole new culture to specifics such as visa requirements and where to go once you have free reign of the city; this guide will offer you all this and more.

Where Are The Best Neighborhoods To Live For Digital Nomads?

With a city so large and diverse as Paris, finding the ideal neighborhood to settle in isn’t always the easiest of tasks. The French capital is broken down into 20 neighborhoods or arrondissements, which are organized in a circular layout.

Aside from the inner-city neighborhoods, Paris is also home to a number of out-of-town districts and suburban areas. Admittedly, venturing into the heart of the city or its more exclusive suburban neighborhoods is going to cost you far more. Here are a few examples of the best neighborhoods to live in Paris for digital nomads. 

>>Also Read: Paris Neighborhood Guide

Bastille 

Famous for being a state prison during the French revolution, the Parisian neighborhood of Bastille is also a popular one amongst the city’s digital nomad community, and for good reason. Generally, the neighborhood of Bastille is home to a younger crowd, and it is known for lower rent prices compared to other inner-city districts. The small hub of cafes, restaurants, and student living makes Bastille a haven for potential digital nomads.

Butte-Montmartre

A little north of the city center, Butte-Montmartre is the perfect place for digital nomads who don’t want to be near the hustle and bustle of inner-city Paris. Home to ​​many artists and creatives, Butte-Montmartre already has a community vibe that plays well with that of the digital nomad lifestyle. The neighborhood’s rent prices are also more affordable compared to those in the center of the capital.

>>Also Read: Is Montmartre Safe?

Le Marais

If there was one Paris neighborhood that could take the title of digital nomad HQ, Le Marais would be it. This has grown from the fact that Le Marais has long been the neighborhood of expats and non-French residents of Paris. This well-developed international community would welcome any new digital nomads into the fold seamlessly. Le Marais’ location also makes it ideal for walking to any of Paris’ most popular and sought-after sights.

>>Also Read: Is Le Marais Safe?

How Much Does It Cost To Rent A Flat In Paris?

There’s no straightforward, one-word answer to this, and with an ever-changing market, getting solid figures can be hard. If you’re in the city as a digital nomad or for ‘workcation,’ you most likely want a furnished apartment. 

The average rent for an apartment in inner-city Paris would be anywhere between €900 and €5,000 per month depending on the size of the apartment and location. Neighborhoods such as Marais and Saint Germain tend to be much more expensive than neighborhoods like Belleville, Menilmontant, and Bastille. On the other hand, apartments outside the Parisian center can be anywhere between €650 and €1,200 per month. 

These, again, are general figures and can be affected by the French economy and housing market in the capital. It is best to shop around and compare numerous properties before settling in one.

How Can You Find A Flat In Paris?

Finding an apartment or flat in the French capital can be an exhausting process. This usually requires a drawn-out period of property searching, landlord exchanges, and a lot of money to raise and organize. 

Now, with helpful and introspective websites such as Homelike, narrowing down your search has never been easier. Using Homelike’s easy-to-use search feature, you can find a flat in the city of Paris that is perfect for you and your needs. 

This filterable search engine allows you to narrow down specific things such as the number of rooms you need, a preferred moving-in date, furnished or non-furnished, and so much more.

>>Also Read: Top 5 Neighborhoods to Rent an Apartment in Paris

Visa Requirements For Paris 

One of the most important things to take into consideration as a digital nomad is the country’s visa requirements. Generally speaking, France has a two-tier immigration system. EU/EFTA citizens can travel passport-free, and they can also look for work and study as if they are French nationals.

However, citizens of a few countries outside the EU/ EFTA, such as Australia, South Korea, Canada, and the United States, can travel to France without a visa and stay for up to 3 months. For other nationals, approved visas also have a validity of three months. But for digital nomads who want to stay longer than three months, you’ll need to apply for a long-stay French visa and a residence permit. This may require more documents and a stringent application process.

What To Do In Paris

As a digital nomad living in Paris, you will undoubtedly be caught up in the life and soul of the city. Having a long period of time to soak up the best sights and attractions of the French capital is one of the best fallouts to living a digital nomad lifestyle. 

Paris is a city full of cultural history and art, and no visit to the French capital is complete without taking this in. The world-famous Louvre is one of the most visited museums globally and is home to famous artworks such as Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, a perfect place to see the city’s artistic side. But don’t restrict yourself to exploring just the usual tourist attractions if you’re spending a few months in the city. Venture off the off-beaten path and try a few unusual things in Paris as well. After all, you don’t want to leave Paris having just seen the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Seine.

No time spent in Paris is successful without dipping into its city-wide restaurant scene. From top-of-the-line Michelin-star restaurants to traditional charming riverside bistros, the city has so much to offer in the way of dining experiences.

There’s plenty to see and do in Paris, and it’s impossible to write about it all. So, take these tips before you start exploring!