Top reasons to choose France as your working holiday destination

With potentially dozens of working holiday destinations at your fingertips, you may be wondering just which one to choose. In this article, we make the case for destination France.

Though it may not look big on a world map, France is a very diverse country with tons of things to see, eat, and do. Going on a working holiday for an extended duration will open your eyes to aspects of the culture that are inaccessible to tourists who visit for only a few days. So without further ado, let’s dive in to what we think are some of the top reasons to choisir la France.

1. A gastronomical paradise

France is known the world over as the land of gastronomy and it’s not hard to see why. Each region has its own specialty, from beef bourguignon, to steamed mussels, to sauerkraut. There is truly a dish for every taste, not to mention the countless pastries that will tempt you on every street corner. When it comes to all things food, we promise that France will keep you busy.

2. Tons of free museums and chateaus

France has done a fantastic job of preserving its cultural heritage, from museums to chateaus. What’s even better is that many of these places are made freely accessible to visitors up to 26 years old, and to the general public on the first Sunday of every month. So whatever your budget is, you can enter many of France’s most beautiful sites without spending a dime. French cities also often host festivals and celebrations that don’t charge an entry fee.

3. Incredible regional diversity

When foreigners think about France, usually the Eiffel Tower, a beret, and an artsy mustache come to mind. Paris dominates the discourse, but in reality, France’s regions are far more diverse than we could ever imagine. The Northeast shares cultural similarities with Belgium, the East is a mix of French and German influences, and parts of the South make you feel like you could be in Italy… The diversity can be seen not just in the culture and customs, but also in the landscapes as you travel from one region to another.

4. Europe at your fingertips

The most adventurous among you will be delighted to know that France shares borders with 8 other countries. If you like the idea of going on weekend trips to neighbouring European countries, France is the ideal home base for your working holiday. Additionally, French cities are very well serviced by high speed trains and regional airlines, making travel within Europe both quick and affordable. Read our tips for traveling on a budget in Europe.

And even more reasons if you are Canadian!

5. We share an official language

This is an obvious one, but France shares its official language with Canada. If you’re an anglophone, you likely have at least some basic knowledge of French that you can finally brush up on and put to use; it’s a great opportunity to gain confidence in the language, which can only benefit your CV. If you’re a francophone or bilingual, then the move will be that much smoother! That said, you may need to adapt your accent and vocabulary, because Quebec French has some differences from Metropolitan French.

6. No visa fee

The WHV to some destinations can be quite expensive to apply for, but the Embassy of France doesn’t charge Canadians anything for the WHV. All that you’ll need to pay is the ~$45 appointment fee to VFS Global for your appointment, but otherwise there are no additional consular or visa fees. For more details, see our full France WHV application guide for Canadians.

7. Stay two years instead of just one

Among the 10+ nationalities that are eligible for the France WHV, Canadians are the only ones who can stay for up to two years instead of just one! Your first visa will be granted for up to one year, at the end of which you can apply to extend your stay by another 12 months.

8. French people love Canada

You may or may not know this, but the French love Canada; we have a very positive reputation here. In fact, every year, thousands of young French move to Canada (either on a working holiday or for other reasons) to discover our beautiful country. So if you had any doubts about how Canadians are perceived and received in France, there’s nothing to worry about!

9.Quebec-France bilateral agreement

When moving abroad, it can be hard for your academic credentials to be recognized, as definitions and standards differ from one country to another. But if you earned your diploma in Quebec, your degree can be recognized as equivalent to a corresponding one obtained in France thanks to an agreement signed between the governments of Quebec and France. This can help you more easily achieve your professional objectives.