How to open a bank account in France

Prepare yourself psychologically at least a month in advance.
Make an appointment preferably not during holiday periods.
Leave a large time frame or block the whole day.
Prepare your life history in advance making sure documents are less than three months old.
Do your dirty washing the day before.
Leave a bottle of wine on the table before leaving (you'll need it later).
Take a strong shopping bag (to carry home the tonne of dossiers they give you).



Many years ago in France, I have a vague memory of opening an account at the post office over the counter.
Three weeks ago in France, I went to the post office to open an account.
The financial advisor was on holidays so I made an appointment.
Two weeks ago I went to my appointment and after assisting local deforestation, left 2 hours later with rental assurance and a basic account, details of which would arrive in the mail.
Yesterday I received a letter explaining that my request to open an account could not be accorded.
Fortunately I had another appointment booked for today for another matter.

It seems I didn't think of doing my dirty washing the day before opening my account, so I hung my interdit bancaire of 29.05€ of accumulated bank charges from 2006-2010 out to dry in front of everyone and was charged an extra 6€ to launder it.

Now, after a couple of days the payment should be received and in a couple of weeks the system should process it and then I should receive another letter in the mail confirming this and then I can make another appointment and should be able to open an account.

In the meantime, payments for my rental insurance will automatically be taken out of my currently (non) existing account.
Needless to say, the original reason for today's appointment is also in waiting due to computer glitches and pending documentation.

By the time we are ready to return to Australia, it should all be good!



Stay posted for car insurance and how not to get a visa.