Q & A

Subject: Follow-up to Alsace Honeymoon.

Question: I found you through experts. you answered my questions about a visit to Alsalce Lorraine. Without breaking any rules, I wanted to ask your thoughts on getting married in France. I have contacted the US embassy and have all of the required information with the exception of 40 days residence in France. Are there any ways around that? Can you think of any recommendations? Question two: do you think it would be easier to be married in Paris or the Alsace Lorraine area? Question three: we will travel by train from Paris to Alsace. When and where can we purchase tickets? The favor of your speedy reply is appreciated.

Answer: When we got married in France we got around the 40 days residency by being married by my wife’s brother in law. I don’t know if that rule even applied to us, being that my wife is French. When they say that you have to be in the country for 40 days, ask how they find this out, airplane ticket or just you saying you have been in France for the required time. Also, in France when you get married, so many days before the marriage, I don’t know the exact number, the local town/city hall where you will get married needs to post somewhere public that you are going to get married. This announces the marriage and lets the public in on what is happening and also was meant I think, to stop people from getting married twice in olden times. So the only thing that I can tell you is either find someone that likes you or some one from your grandmother’s family who might let you slide. Another thing it just might take 40 days for all the paper work to get processed., In France you just don’t show up and get married, papers have to be filled out, send to the local Prefecture and then sent back, this takes time and tends not to be fast. As for Paris or Alsace, how is your French? If it is okay then Alsace might workout if not Paris might be better. Where ever you go you will need to call and talk to someone and make sure they understand things. You can buy train tickets in Paris and at any time up to departure, if you buy ahead it can be cheaper. I don’t know if you can buy tickets in the US, try a local travel agent. For more info try looking at the French train web site, www.sncf.com.

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