‘A beautiful country’: Readers share what made them feel welcome in France

As the 2027 presidential election approaches, France's political atmosphere is becoming increasingly tense, particularly for foreigners living in the country.

But while some politicians might be trying to sow discord, there are so many ordinary French people who continue to be kind, helpful and welcoming - that's why we asked our readers to share their experiences of kindness in France. 

Read the first instalment here: 'Our French friend stood by us': Stories of how you were made to feel welcome in France

Sometimes we can have stereotypes in our minds about people before getting to know them. And in moments when we feel the need to rely on someone's support is when we get to see their true colours. For Jenny Pessereau, 65, from Oregon in the US, a moment like this came when she was studying in Tours and living with an older French couple.

"The wife's terse attitude struck me as Gallic grumpiness, but, one day, when I received distressing news from home and she caught me in tears, she sat me down, held my hand and listened as I told her my worries. I'll never forget that essential kindness."

And sometimes help and kindness come from total strangers. Taurie Kinoshita, who lives in Hawaii, recalled two experiences from trips to the south of France with her husband.

On one occasion, while driving from Aveyron to Toulouse, the couple swerved slightly to avoid a huge oncoming tractor and ended up stuck in a ditch.

"We were stuck in our rental car, in this ditch, vaguely panicked and deeply sad. People who passed started offering help. We waved them away, determined to not be a burden. But every single car that passed us kept offering to help!"

Eventually, the couple accepted an offer of assistance, and three men joined her husband to push the car out of the ditch.

"I'm pretty sure they got cut from the underbrush because my husband did," she recounted. "It was so moving because I can't think of any place in the US where (not hyperbole) EVERYONE who passes would stop to offer help."

On another occasion, her husband left his wallet at the hotel reception after withdrawing cash. The staff called their room to let him know. "Egalité and liberté are as real as fraternité in France! Such a beautiful country. I hope Le Pen does not destroy it."

For John, 67, from England, kindness came from the people living near him. He has been unable to visit his house in Normandy this year because he is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.

"My neighbour who lives a little way away offered to keep my lawns cut and tidy. Without his efforts, my house would look, at best, forlorn. A huge thank you to him," he said.

Nigel Thomas, 70, originally from Essex and now living in Rocbaron, Provence, said the three sets of neighbours in his small cul-de-sac were helpful and kind on an almost daily basis.

The most recent example came on his 70th birthday, when one neighbour gave him a bottle of Bordeaux produced in the year he was born. "Not sure it's drinkable but it's the thought that counts," he said.

He also offered a humorous example of another sort of French kindness: "The other example is my wife, who is French, when she married me. I think that counts as an act of kindness?"

For Jean Crossan, 82, who lives in Lisbourg in northern France, a stressful situation turned into a reassuring reminder of the kindness of her village community. Earlier this year, her 87-year-old partner was in the hospital when her boiler started making a terrible noise. 

"I phoned my shop in the village in quite a stressful state. The owner was wonderful, she and her son came to the house within ten minutes, he fixed the boiler, and she comforted me." After living in France for 22 years, she said the experience had surprised her. "Never would have believed such good people were here."

Sometimes, a small gesture can make a big difference, too. Alison Juestel went to her village pharmacy to collect a new medication. The pharmacist explained that she would need to order it and that Alison could return the following day.

Alison was happy to wait, but as she walked home, the pharmacist discovered she already had the medication in stock and ran outside to let her know. "She didn't have to do that but her kindness really touched me," Alison said.

Similarly, for Daniel, who moved to Brittany from Tennessee with his wife, a chance encounter on the Paris Métro turned a potentially worrying situation into a moment of relief.

After having to take the metro late in the evening, they spotted a group of four or five young men whispering and looking in their direction. Having previously lived in New York City, they felt apprehensive when the group approached them, calling out, "Monsieur, monsieur!"

But instead, the group was holding out items that had fallen from Daniel's open backpack. "Vous avez perdu ça! (You've lost this!)" they told him. Among the belongings they returned were his wallet and passport.

For Doreen Christian, 69, an American who has lived in Strasbourg for just over a year, a simple exchange on the bus left her feeling included. Although she is fit and does not expect a seat to be offered to her, she said she is often pleased when someone gives up their place.

On one occasion, a woman asked whether she wanted to sit down. Doreen declined, explaining that she was about to get off.

The woman moved over in her own seat and told her they could share. "I thought that was so nice, and we had a wonderful chat until we arrived at my stop," Doreen said. "That was so thoughtful of her, and gave me a great sense of belonging at the same time."

And kindness can also be found in the relationships that grow between people from different backgrounds.

Julia, who lives near Sallanches in Haute-Savoie, said she belongs to two small groups that bring together French and English speakers.

"They are, without exception, welcoming, and we are able to help each other with both languages and also exchange cultural differences and traditions," she said.

Thank you to everyone who has shared their stories with us.