A Buckeye In Paris

03/29/2026

Life has a funny way of working itself out.

I dreamt of going to pastry school in the south of France and then opening my own place. A dream that lived on a back burner for a long time. I think I secretly just wanted to get back to France. I knew in 2003 that this country was where I was going to end up, one day, some day.

But, I met a guy back home, we dated, got engaged, and I finished pastry school in Ohio. Things were looking towards a white picket fence and 2 kids. The typical "American dream". Well, little did I know that would drastically change.

We broke up, went our separate ways, and I focused on my professional career. I was working up the ladder for a small business when I went to a wedding in the UK. I needed a break at this point and I could not wait for some time off. Little did I know what was in store for me across the pond.

Life has an unexpected way of setting you up for what you need, when you need it. I was not looking to meet someone on this trip, but here we are. Met a man on the dancefloor, exchanged numbers and the rest is history. I fully expected to be on a different place at 41, but I am exactly where I need to be and completely content with that.

So, when confronted with an opportunity, take it with arms wide open, you never know what the outcome will be and you may be thanking yourself for taking that step.

03/22/2026

While we're on the subject of change....

On May 1, 2026, France is increasing immigration fees and for some people the jump is significant. Do you know what the new prices are?

A first residence permit goes from €225 total to €350.

Naturalisation goes from €55 to €255.

The APS goes from free to €100.

If you have an application coming up this spring, April 30 is your deadline. The full guide is on the blog with every fee, who is exempt, and exactly what to do.

Link in bio.
Share this with anyone who needs to know 👇

03/21/2026

Bienvenue! 🇫🇷

If you're new here, hi, I'm Sarah. An Ohio girl who followed love to the Paris suburbs and never looked back.

A Buckeye in Paris has been my little corner of the internet since 2018, where I share the real, unfiltered side of life in France. No fantasy version of Paris, just the practical stuff that actually helps.

Here's what you'll find on this page:

🗂️ French bureaucracy & admin demystified
🇺🇸🇫🇷 Bicultural family life & raising bilingual kids
🏘️ Life in the Paris suburbs — the real version
✉️ Honest expat stories, big and small

Whether you're already here navigating the system, or just fascinated by what French life actually looks like, you're in the right place.

Start with the blog →

Exploring life as an American Expat in France, sharing tips and tricks about life in Paris, French administration, and being an American in Paris.

03/21/2026

Since January 2026, France requires a brand new civic exam before you can apply for certain residence permits or naturalisation. I've had so many questions about this since my last post, so here's the specific answer to the question I keep seeing: does this affect me?

The short answer: if you're applying for the first time for a *pluriannuelle* or *carte de résident*, or you're pursuing naturalisation, yes. If you're renewing something you already have, no. But there are some caveats, so do your research, ask questions.

Full breakdown on the blog with everything you need to know including how to register, what the exam covers, and the free official preparation resources.

Have you taken the test? Share your experience 👇

🔗 Link in bio

03/20/2026

Honestly, I had planned to just take a short break. Then the 2024 immigration law kicked in properly from January and I realised half of what I had written on the blog was no longer accurate. So I went back through everything.

The changes that matter most if you are currently in the process: the language requirements have gone up across the board, there is a new civic exam that we really didn't know what to expect, and visa fees are increasing on May 1st of this year.

The full updated guides are on the blog. Link in bio. Save this one so you can find it when you need it.

02/28/2026

Breaking down the terms around childcare in France because it took me a minute to understand it all and I don't want you to be confused and scratching your head. Understanding these terms will paint a clearer picture when dealing with having a child in France.

You'll want to save this post. You’ll come back to it. Trust me.

02/02/2026

January can sometimes feel like it's the longest month of the year. But January 2026 had some magical moments.

The shining moment was the snow! As a Midwesterner at heart, snow in winter always makes me feel like a kid. I love watching the big, chunky, flakes fall from the sky. And to be able to sit with Laura on my lap and watch as she is wide-eyed with wonder was one for the books.

I think the number of pastries one consumes in January is an excellent gauge as to how the year will progress. I'm not at liberty to say how many were consumed, but it is safe to say that we are off to a magnificent start.

Discovering LAEPs and play spaces for Laura has been the biggest treat watching her discover new toys and games and fellow babies. She is such a social butterfly and has so much energy. I don't think enough coffee will help me keep up! She is a spark of life that refreshes any worn out or run down soul.

I've started to slowly take time for myself. City adventures, coffee dates, impromptu lunches with friends. It feels a bit weird to do these things without my mini-me, but it's a breath of fresh air to not have to worry about flying food or entertaining the tiny human.

So January, you were great. February, let's see what you bring to the table.