Living in France (full or part-time) can be rewarding — and confusing. For many English speakers living in France, the biggest challenges aren’t just language, but understanding French administration, bureaucracy, and social expectations.
From dealing with official paperwork to knowing how to communicate with authorities, understanding how the French system works is just as important as speaking French.
Help in France provides clear, calm, practical guidance to help English speakers navigate life in France, understand their options, avoid common mistakes, and move forward with confidence.
Need Help quickly? – jump to “BOOK A CALL”
About Me
My name is Hayley Rawding, and I’m the founder of Help in France — a service dedicated to helping English speakers navigate living, working, and dealing with administration in France.
After 25 years living in France, I’ve learned something essential:
knowing the language helps, but knowing how French bureaucracy and systems actually work is crucial.
I created Help in France to offer practical, experience-based guidance to people who feel stuck, uncertain, or overwhelmed by life in France. This service is designed for those who want clarity before taking their next step — without guesswork or unnecessary stress.
My approach is simple: short, affordable phone calls, followed by a clear written summary that outlines your options, next steps, and how to approach the situation confidently..
Help in France for English speakers – What I Do
I provide orientation, explanation, and clear guidance on “next steps” for people living in or dealing with France.
This includes help with:
Understanding French administration and bureaucracy
Knowing who to contact and when
Cultural and social etiquette in France
How to raise complaints appropriately in France
How to escalate problems effectively
Preparing for appointments or phone calls
Understanding what is normal in France — and what is not
You receive clear direction and context, not jargon or guesswork.
See my blog for some of the ways I’ve helped clients already.
How It Works:
Single Session – €15
15‑minute phone call
15‑minute written follow‑up email
The follow‑up email summarises:
– The issue discussed
– Your available options
– Recommended next steps
– Useful contacts or resources
– Practical advice on tone, timing, and approach
Experience
I have over 25 years of experience living in France and a strong working knowledge of French language, administration, and culture.
This service is based on lived experience, not theory — designed to help English speakers avoid common mistakes and navigate life in France with confidence.
What I Don’t Do
To be clear and transparent:
- I do not provide legal advice
- I do not provide tax or financial advice
- I do not provide medical advice
If you need more than a 15 minute call, or want me to handle a procedure on your behalf, please consult the ADMIN SERVICES page.
What I Can Do
- I can give you clear advice about next steps
- I can provide you with a list of contacts if you need expert help
- I can give you sample correspondence in French for common problems
- I can provide you with contact info for relevant public bodies, if appropriate
- I can refer you to free online resources
- I can complete some administrative procedures for you
- I can act on your behalf for some issues
To book a session CLICK HERE.
To ask a question, please email gethelpinfrance@gmail.com
Legal Disclaimer:
The services provided by Help in France consist solely of general information, guidance, and orientation based on personal experience.
Help in France does not provide:
- Legal advice
- Tax advice
- Financial advice
- Medical advice
Nothing discussed during calls or written follow‑ups constitutes professional advice as defined under French law. Clients remain solely responsible for decisions taken and actions performed following the guidance provided. Help in France shall not be held liable for outcomes resulting from the use or interpretation of information provided.