I’m French! (and American)
Nine years ago today I started this blog on 14 Juillet—Bastille Day. Four weeks ago today I became French.
It was a day like any other. I waited in line to get in the doors, then waited in another line once inside, then waited for the ceremony to start. But on this day, Meg was with me, and I was officially becoming French. I technically have been French since April, according to letter with a xeroxed stamp making it official, but refused to believe it until the ceremony where I received my official documents and got to sing the Marseillaise. That day individuals from 32 different countries became French.
In honor of the occasion I wore two of my favorite French designers. The dress by Papier Tigre is only available in Tokyo, and the pin by Macon & Lesquoy was a collaboration between Macon & Lesquoy and Papier Tigre. Two hearts for my two countries, which conveniently are the same colors seemed quite fitting for the day.
Later that night Meg surprised me with a cliché French celebration with my friends in Paris at the Amélie cafe (Les 2 Moulins). It was easy to spot the group as we were all wearing stripes and berets, which was extra entertaining for my friends who are actually French. Fun fact: besides being my favorite movie, Amélie happened to come out in 2001, the same year I studied abroad in Paris for the first time. It was the perfect setting to catch up with friends and celebrate my newfound Frenchness! And to top it off, at the end of the night two random tourists who didn’t speak English came up to me and asked if they could take a picture with me in front of the Amélie poster—because I looked like her! It was awesome, and we all had a good laugh.
What’s changed since then? I now have two passports, two birth certificates, I’ll be able to vote in the next election, I have full working rights (on my prior status I had the right to work in France, but was not allowed to hold a salaried position/contract), I’ll be able to work/live anywhere in the EU, and I’ll save a bajillion hours of my life every year because I no longer have to renew my paperwork every year.
A huge thank you to Meg (aka De Quelle Planete Es-Tu?) for being such an amazing friend and support, and for the amazing documentation of the day! If there’s one thing true about bureaucracy, it’s that it brings people together. I never could have navigated this alone.
Ironically, I’m not sure that I’d be where I am today if it weren’t for my blog. Stay tuned for the long version of how I became French… UPDATE: Here’s how I became French.
Alyssa
July 14, 2016 at 11:33 pm //
Congrats Anne! I’m so happy for you! From reading your blog, and following your instagram, it’s clear that you’ve faced many challenges to get to this point, but I’m sure it makes your new status all the more sweet! As a Francophile who dreams of making France her home one day, you are such an inspiration to me. Felicitations! PS When are you writing a book?! ;)
Alyssa
July 14, 2016 at 11:34 pm //
And the video was perfection!!
Kim B.
July 16, 2016 at 6:55 pm //
Congratulations, Anne!!! What a fantastic friend you have in Meg, such a fitting celebration and the vimeo is just right and will always bring that day back to you. True gifts!!
Carla R.
July 20, 2016 at 7:08 pm //
Congrats Anne!… I am about to start navigating the same process, but in Canada. It is exciting and a bit overwhelming but it’s nice to read stories like this!
Cheers!
Meg
July 21, 2016 at 8:46 am //
I love you so so so much! Je suis très fière de toi.
sunny
July 21, 2016 at 3:11 pm //
Congratulations! and the video was adorable! amelie is one of my most favorite movies ever…and it was fun to see you all in the cafe! even better that people wanted your photo in front if it!
:)
Ellie
October 5, 2016 at 5:44 pm //
Great news Anne!
Viola
November 4, 2016 at 11:47 pm //
Congratulations Anne, on being “official”! I lived in Paris for a while, and reading your blog brings back the loveliest (and a few best forgotten) memories for me.:)
Victoria
December 4, 2016 at 7:57 pm //
This is fantastic news! You are truly living the dream. I second the above comment : a book is definitely in order! :) xx Félicitations!
Betty J Veney
September 12, 2019 at 7:41 pm //
Why is it necessary to have a French birth certificate ? I don’t understand, does it say something different than your American birth certificate ? Please explain.
Best Regards,
Betty
Anne
September 30, 2019 at 7:23 am //
It’s how it’s done in French. Unlike the US where it’s a document you are born with and stays the same throughout your life, in France it gets updated over time as you get married, divorced, have children, etc. A different system if you will.