The wages are not huge, but are satisfactory for what is generally a 12- hour week. And this kind of work can provide an interesting insight into the French education system.

Many of the French art schools (Ecole des Beaux-arts) include English as part of the curriculum. Some of these posts are occupied by English artists who work one or two days a week. These posts are not generally advertised, but it is worth contacting the schools directly. There are also several British artists working in French art schools occupying posts teaching sculpture, painting, new media and so on.

An alternative possibility is to organise workshops as an "artiste-plasticien" within a school. The DRACs have education officers who deal with all the links between culture and schools (Education nationale) and they can be contacted directly.

Placements and internships

French cultural organisations often take on students for placements and internships. These may be of varying length, generally from one to six months. In order to apply, you must be a student within an institution of higher education since a "Convention de stage" (Agreement) must be signed between the cultural organisation and the educational institution. A Convention can be signed even if you have only just finished your course, provided that you get the signature before you leave.

French law allows organisations to pay 1/3 of the minimum monthly wage (known in France as the SMIC) as an indemnity to a "stagiaire" without any of the usual obligations of an employer/employee to pay social security, etc. There is no obligation for an organisation to give any indemnity and most placements are considered work experience. It is obviously an excellent way to get some first hands on experience within the cultural sector.

Again, these posts are not generally advertised so the general method is to send a "Candidature spontanée" - that is, to send one's CV and a letter on the off chance that your application might be accepted. If you can speak French, then it is worth making a few phone calls before sending your application so as not to waste time and money.

Community arts - where artists work with school groups, local community organisations or other members of the public on art projects - does not translate directly into similar work in France. For more information, see the Public art section in Exhibition venues.

Final options?

If all else fails, and you are looking for a way of earning some money while you do a recce of the scene, there is always the good old traditional method - the 'vendages' - picking grapes. Many are listed on the Picking Jobs website and another website called Fruitful Jobs  

Identification

It is worth bearing in mind that in France, it is obligatory to have ID at all times. Travellers should always have some means of identification, preferably a passport, on them.