Ultimate Pre-Departure Checklist: France to India & India to France 🇮🇳🇫🇷

A Cultural and Practical Guide by L’Association Frehindi

 

Moving abroad—whether to India or France—is a life-changing experience. But without the right preparation, it can also be stressful. At L’Association Frehindi, working under the patronage of the Indian Embassy in Paris  we support the Indian and South Asian community in navigating these transitions smoothly.

This blog offers a comparative checklist and cultural guidance for:

  • Indian expats traveling to France for studies, work, or tourism

  • French and EU citizens visiting India for travel or long-term stays

We also include real-life inspired examples and cultural “dos and don’ts” to avoid common pitfalls.

 

🏠 Accommodation Tips – Booking Smart, Avoiding Rejection

 

🇮🇳 Indians Traveling to France:

  • Aarav, a student from Pune, had his visa rejected because he booked an Airbnb for 7 months. France requires verifiable housing, preferably university-approved.

  • Use: SeLoger, Le Bon Coin, Campus France housing partners

  • Avoid: Airbnb, fake hotel bookings, unregistered rentals

  • For professionals: Check if your company arranges short-term housing.

🇫🇷 French Travelers to India:

  • Book hotels or guesthouses with good reviews on platforms like Goibibo, MakeMyTrip, or Oyo.

  • For longer stays, look for apartments via local agents, but be cautious of scams.

  • Clément, a French volunteer in Chennai, faced issues when his hotel didn’t meet visa documentation norms.

📒 Apostille & Documentation – What to Legalize?

 

Indians Going to France:

  • Apostille before departure (Not required for visa, but useful for official use):
    ✅ Birth Certificate
    ✅ Marriage Certificate

  • Not needed unless explicitly asked: Degrees, job experience letters

French Travelers to India:

  • Indian authorities may ask for legalized versions of:
    ✅ Birth Certificate
    ✅ Police Clearance Certificate
    ✅ Health documents (for long-stay visas)

✈️ Passport, Visa, and Booking Essentials

  • Passport validity: Minimum 6 months from the travel date.

  • Apply for visa 2–3 months in advance.

  • Always carry:
    ✅ Printed tickets
    ✅ Boarding passes
    ✅ Hotel confirmations
    ✅ Travel insurance

💶 Forex, Payments, and Banking

 

Indians in France:

  • Carry €200–300 in cash for initial expenses.

  • Consider a forex card for early usage.

  • Open a French bank account early and stop using Indian cards to avoid charges.

French in India:

  • Euros can be exchanged easily at airports, hotels, or authorized centers.

  • Use UPI apps with international cards (limited support). Cash is still king in many places.

🩺 Doctor Visit and Medications

  • Visit your GP before travel.

  • Carry:
    ✅ Basic first-aid
    ✅ Prescription medicines
    ✅ Copies of prescriptions (in English/French)

  • Vaccines: French travelers should check with their GP for vaccines like Typhoid, Hepatitis A/B, Japanese Encephalitis (if traveling to rural India).

🧳 Packing Checklist – What Not to Forget

 

Indians Going to France:

  • Winters are cold – buy heavy jackets in France.

  • Carry Indian spices, basic food (Upma mix, Maggi, Pickles), but check EU customs rules.

  • Pressure cooker – if you cook often.

  • Electronics: Don’t forget EU adapters.

French Travelers to India:

  • Summers are intense – carry light, breathable cottons.

  • Mosquito repellents, rehydration sachets (ORS), and a reusable water bottle.

  • Dress modestly, especially in temples or rural areas.

🇫🇷 Learn Basic French / Hindi Phrases

 

Indians in France:

 

Learn these essential phrases:

English Français
Where is Eiffel Tower? Où est la Tour Eiffel ?
I want a hot chocolate Je voudrais un chocolat chaud
Which metro line to Louvre? Quelle ligne de métro pour le Louvre ?
Nice to meet you Enchanté(e)
Help! My bag is stolen! Au secours ! On m’a volé mon sac !

 

French in India:

 

Learn these useful phrases in Hindi:

English Hindi
Hello नमस्ते (Namaste)
Thank you धन्यवाद (Dhanyavaad)
Where is the metro? मेट्रो कहां है? (Metro kahaan hai?)
Help! मदद करो! (Madad karo!)

 

🚨 Emergency Numbers & Cultural Tips

 

Emergency Numbers – France:

 

Service Number
Police 17
Ambulance 15
Fire Brigade 18
EU-wide Emergency 112

 

Emergency Numbers – India (State Variants May Apply):

 

Service Number
Police 100
Ambulance 102 / 108
Women’s Helpline 1091
Fire 101

 

🌏 Cultural Awareness – Avoiding Misunderstandings

 

Indians in France:

  • Always say “Bonjour” before starting any conversation.

  • Avoid loud phone calls or music on public transport.

  • Staring at women is considered harassment.

  • Arriving late to appointments is frowned upon.

Example: Ravi, an engineer in Lyon, lost a freelance client because he consistently arrived late for meetings.

 

 

French in India:

  • Don’t wear shoes inside temples or homes.

  • Public displays of affection are frowned upon in most areas.

  • Understand personal space norms – queues can be chaotic.

  • Respect religious customs, especially during festivals.

Example: Marie, a French student in Jaipur, unknowingly entered a temple with footwear, offending locals.

 

 

🤝 L’Association Frehindi – Supporting Every Step of Your Journey

 

At L’Association Frehindi, we:

✅ Provide checklists and pre-departure guidance
✅ Help students, tourists, and professionals avoid visa issues
✅ Offer cultural sensitization sessions
✅ Assist with document verification and housing referrals
✅ Advocate for ethical and informed expat experiences

 

✨ Final Words – Journey Well-Prepared, Live Fully Abroad

 

Crossing borders—whether from India to France or vice versa—is more than just a change in geography; it’s a journey of new habits, hidden challenges, and meaningful discoveries. The smallest cultural insight or the right document at the right time can make the biggest difference.

At L’Association Frehindi, we believe that being informed is being empowered. From students like Aarav seeking smoother arrivals in France to travelers like Clément navigating Indian hospitality with confidence, we stand beside you—before departure and throughout your stay.

🌍 Whether you’re an Indian embarking on your European dream or a French citizen exploring vibrant India, respect for the local culture, readiness with essential documents, and sensitivity to customs can turn an ordinary trip into an extraordinary experience.

📌 And remember—you’re never alone. With our guidance, tools, and ongoing support under the patronage of the Indian Embassy in Paris and other Indian embassies in the EU, L’Association Frehindi is your cultural compass and practical partner abroad.

 

💬 Join our WhatsApp community for Indian expats in France — a trusted space for real-time questions, support, and shared experiences.
📞 Connect directly at +33 6 27 92 43 98 for personalized guidance.
📘 Like our Facebook page: facebook.com/assofrehindi for daily updates and useful info.
📺 Subscribe to our YouTube channel “Indians in France” for legal, cultural, and lifestyle guidance.

 

🇮🇳🤝🇫🇷
With Frehindi by your side, navigating life across borders becomes a little easier — and a lot more reassuring.

 

Warm regards,
Haru Mehra
President,
L’Association Frehindi
A not-for-profit association under French Law 1901

📧 haru@frehindi.com | 🌍 www.frehindi.org | 📞 +33 6 27 92 43 98

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