Love in France is now just a click away, and my own journey through the dating platforms there can vouch for it. Discover the crème de la crème of French dating sites and apps through this tailored guide.
⭐ Best French dating apps
MEETIC
While exploring relationship opportunities in France, Meetic caught my attention as a frontrunner for those seeking serious, long-term relationships or even marriage. Founded in 2001, the platform offers both free and premium versions. The free version allows for basic browsing of local singles, but messaging is reserved for premium account holders—a feature that I found helps filter out those not serious about finding a partner.
An important note is that Meetic.fr operates exclusively in French, serving as an added layer of localization by primarily connecting people within the same geographic area.
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of Meetic.fr:
| Meetic.fr Advantages: | Meetic.fr Disadvantages: |
| In-depth profiles | Anonymous payment is not available |
| Excellent blog | Automatic subscription renewal |
| Incognito Mode (invisible browsing) | |
| Virtual dating coach |
- EMMA’S RATING: 10/10
BE2
As I delved deeper into the French dating ecosystem, I found Be2 to be another reliable choice, especially for those looking for a long-term commitment. Now 18 years strong, the Luxembourg-based platform has amassed around a million members, with a fairly balanced distribution between male and female users.
I was particularly intrigued by the site’s use of science-based algorithms to match individuals based on an array of factors like personality, beliefs, and lifestyle preferences. Geared mainly towards those aged 25 to 40, the platform has garnered a high satisfaction rate. While signing up is free, accessing more exclusive features like photo viewing and messaging requires a premium subscription.
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of Be2:
| Be2 Advantages: | Be2 Disadvantages: |
| Personality test | Pricey premium package |
| A lot of users | |
| ‘Just Ask’ section | |
| Be2 Compatibility Index |
- EMMA’S RATING: 7/10
C-DATING
Navigating the less formal side of the French dating scene, C-Dating stood out as a go-to option for those in search of casual encounters and adventures. The Luxembourg-based service boasts an impressive international reach with two million profiles across 35 countries. With a fairly balanced gender distribution, it caters to a broad audience.
I appreciated the site’s emphasis on safety and anonymity, allowing the use of pseudonyms and secure photo sharing. The French version maintains all the features found in its counterparts in other languages, providing a consistent user experience.
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of C-Dating:
| C-Dating Advantages: | C-Dating Disadvantages: |
| Verified profiles | Users have reported difficulties unsubscribing |
| Manually verified images | Customer service via e-mail |
| Quick registration process | |
| ‘My Visitor’ feature |
- EMMA’S RATING: 7/10
LIVING AND DATING IN FRANCE
If you are moving to France and are new to the dating culture of the French, here is some information that will help you know what to expect.
Because the capital of France is popularly known as the City of Love, people may expect the French to be more romantic than people of other nations. But you had better abandon this deeply-rooted stereotype. Not all French women are sensual, and not all French men are seducers.
Male-female friendships are very common in France, and people often go out together even if they are not romantically involved. Perhaps this makes it even harder for someone new there to distinguish whether a Frenchman’s invitation means more than just a casual meeting.
If a Frenchman invites you on a date, it will probably involve no flowers, drinks, or candlelit dinners. The initial French dates are usually more laid-back affairs. They may involve meeting with a group of friends or going for an afternoon walk. This does not mean they are not interested in you but are taking the time to get to know you better. Being fashionably late is also popular in France and is not supposed to signal rudeness and lack of interest. Quite the contrary: it usually means they are trying to appear blasé when, in fact, they are not.
ARE DATING SITES POPULAR IN FRANCE?
Although meeting new people through friends is culturally ingrained in France, dating by means of online dating websites has also become popular among the French.
Statista’s 2019 survey about online dating in France shows that one-third of French men and women have used online dating sites. Furthermore, 56% of men and 68% of women aged 25 to 34 have had a romantic or sexual relationship with someone they had met online. The poll also shows that the French do not find it impossible to find a serious, lasting relationship online.
Considering the fact that these days we greatly lean on computers and phones to conduct all sorts of daily activities, it is likely that the percentage of people looking for a partner through a dating app or website will increase in the future.
FINDING A PARTNER ONLINE
Even though it might seem that finding a partner online is as easy as putting items into your online shopping cart, this is not so. Meeting people online has its fair share of advantages and disadvantages.
One of the good sides of meeting online is that you can connect with people who live nearby, have the same hobbies you do, or perhaps share the same values. You can also search for a partner based on the type of relationship you want: a long-term or a casual one, an affair, or a one-night stand. In addition, talking to complete strangers is much easier to do online than in person, which comes in handy if you find it hard to communicate with people easily.
Nonetheless, keep in mind that the whole concept of online dating is imperfect and that some degree of caution is necessary.
You may think that people on the other side are who they say they are, but that may not always be the case. Online dating only makes it easier to conceal one’s true identity and intentions.
Another limitation of online dating is that you may occasionally find it challenging to get the message across. Some people may also miss the human touch, such as the ability to see one’s spontaneous reactions, whether a flirty smile or an eye-roll.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT DATING SERVICE
The most important thing you need to do before you sign up with any of the available dating services is to ask yourself what kind of a relationship you want. That will determine your choice of dating website.
If you are looking for a serious and long-term commitment in France, choose Meetic.fr or Be2. If you want to date someone more casually, go with C-Dating. Those looking for a sexual relationship or a one-night stand should opt for Planscul or Victoria Milan.
One of the ways to narrow down your search is to look for candidates with specific characteristics and to use personality tests where possible. This approach will save you time, but there is a catch. By looking for people with certain qualities, you may overlook others who might be a better match for you even though they do not fit into your predefined partner profile.
If you have serious intentions, it is always better to purchase a premium account. Free accounts attract many people who are not necessarily committed to finding a partner. They will waste your time and ruin your online dating experience.
Make sure that the sites you use are reliable and always read their privacy policy and terms of service.
HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF YOUR ONLINE DATING EXPERIENCE
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your online dating.
- Create a good profile
Writing as much about yourself as possible will give you better chances of connecting with the right person. Try to be different and present yourself in a unique way.
- Have a good profile picture
The first impression is important, so put the best photo of yourself in your profile. Choose a well-lit picture, preferably one in which you are smiling. Ask your friends’ opinions if you are unsure which one to pick.
- Be proactive
It is not good to just sit about and wait to be noticed – do whatever it takes to connect with people. Traditional roles between sexes may hinder you from initiating contact if you are a woman looking for a man. Think about your goal, and do not worry about what others think.
- Be kind
Be kind and respectful to other people even if you are not interested in them romantically. Try to put yourself in their shoes. Remember that nobody likes to be rejected and scorned, so choose your words carefully.
- Be honest
Lying will not increase your chances of meeting the right person, so always be honest about your intentions. Also, do not tell embellishing stories about your achievements or your appearance.
Conclusion
Meetic is the top dating app in France, offering effective matching algorithms and live customer support for a high success rate in finding serious relationships.
FAQ
One of the best dating sites for people over 50 and living in France is DisonsDemain.
Some French dating sites are only available in French because they want to maintain the cultural integrity of the site. Because language is so ingrained in French culture, many individuals from France prefer speaking their mother tongue because it makes them feel more at ease.
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