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What jobs are on offer in Lyon and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region?

France is enjoying its lowest unemployment figures for a decade and the creation of many new jobs, but the type of jobs on offer vary dramatically from place to place.

Published: 17 February 2020 15:00 CET
What jobs are on offer in Lyon and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region?
The tourism sector creates a lot of jobs in this region. Photo: AFP

The year of 2019 saw both the biggest fall in unemployment for a decade and the lowest overall rate of unemployment for a decade in France.

READ ALSO Why 2020 is set to be a good year for job hunters in France

But while the technology and engineering sectors have dominated in Paris and the south, Lyon and the surrounding Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region is likely to see a continued concentration on jobs in the health, tourism and transport sectors.

The data comes from the French unemployment office Pôle emploi, combined with local chambers of commerce, unions, local authorities and companies, as well as the recruitment agency Adecco and was put together in a major data journalism exercise by French newspaper Le Parisien.

READ ALSO How to write the perfect CV for getting a job in France

Here's who will be recruiting in 2020.

1. Healthcare. Lyon's Hospices Civils de Lyon is the country's second largest university hospital and will be recruiting about 2,000 posts over the year, particularly for nurses and healthcare assistants.

2. Tourism. Holiday operator Club Med says it plans to hire 1,800 new staff over 2020, particularly in the Alpine ski resorts in France. Languages are the key here as employees will be expected to speak 'at least' English and French. They will be looking for hotel employees, staff in the ski resorts and in sales support.

3. Transport. The region's public transport operator Keolis is looking to hire both in Lyon and in towns across the region including Valence, Chambéry and Vichy. It is projected to need 800 roles filled over 2020. As well as bus, Metro and tram drivers they are also looking for technicians and mechanics. You get free transport across the regional network on top of your salary.

4. Insurance. Insurance company Sfam has launched a recruitment driver for an extra 500 staff, mainly telephone operators in sales and claims. The company says the sector is trying to make itself more attractive to work for, so is offering permanent contracts and salaries above industry standard.

5. Retail. Lidl is expanding and opening new stores across France and will be recruiting about 450 posts across the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

In the region Lyon is the major employment centre, but the tourist resorts in the French Alps also offer a lot of jobs, albeit many of them seasonal or on short term contracts.

The other major employment centre in the area is Geneva – over the border in Switzerland. Many people choose a cross-border commute to get the twin benefits of the high salaries on offer in Switzerland and the lower cost of living and better social benefits of France. In the town of Annecy, close to the Swiss border, 11 percent of the workforce are frontaliers.

What jobs are available in Paris and the surrounding area?

What jobs are available in south west France?

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WORKING IN FRANCE

How to get a summer job in France

As the summer holidays approach in France, many employers are looking for seasonal workers - so if you're looking for a summer job, here's how to go about it.

Published: 25 May 2022 13:15 CEST
How to get a summer job in France

There are thousands of employment offers in France – a simple internet search for jobs d’été came up with numerous jobs boards offering work in France, while the government-backed Centre d’Information et de Documentation pour la Jeunesse (CIDJ) offers advice and information on all aspects of life for young people in France, including finding seasonal work and summer placements.

Sectors including agriculture, hospitality and tourism are always recruiting in the summer, seeking fruit-pickers, holiday camp workers and serving/hotel staff.

But what are the rules for people seeking summer jobs?

READ ALSO Vendange: What you really sign up for when you agree to help with the French wine harvest

Age

Children from the age of 16 (under certain circumstances, the age limit drops to 14) who are legally resident in France can work as long as they have written authorisation from their parents or legal guardians. A model authorisation letter is available here. 

Those under the age of 18 cannot undertake certain jobs for health and safety reasons.

In the following circumstances, children as young as 14 or 15 can work during school holidays.

  • The holidays must last at least 14 days;
  • The child must work no more than half the days of the holiday – so, if a vacation period is two weeks, they can work for no more than one of those weeks;
  • The child is given ‘light duties’ that offer no risk to their safety, health, or development;
  • From the age of 15 and if the child has completed their troisieme education, a minor can register for an apprenticeship. 

Salary

Salary is usually paid monthly and will have a payslip. For those aged 18 and over, pay will be at least equal to the minimum wage.

 For those aged 14 to 17, who have less than six months’ professional experience, the minimum allowed rate is 80 percent of the minimum wage. For those aged 17 to 18, the rate rises to a minimum of 90 percent of France’s minimum wage.

  • The minimum wage in France is currently €10.85 gross per hour (€1,645.58 gross per month based on a 35-hour week);
  • the employment contract is fixed-term and can take different forms (fixed-term contract, seasonal employment contract, temporary employment contract, etc);
  • Seasonal employees are subject to the same obligations as the other employees of the company and have access to the same benefits (canteens, breaks, etc.).

Under 18s have certain additional protections:

  • between the ages of 14 and 16, during school holidays, employees on any contract cannot work more than 35 hours per week nor more than 7 hours per day;
  • They cannot work at night;
  • Those aged 14 to under 16 working during their school holidays can only be assigned to work which is not likely to harm their safety, their health or development.

Right to work in France

If you’re a French citizen or hold permanent residency in France then you have the right to work, but for foreigners there are extra restrictions.

Anyone who holds the passport of a EU/EEA country or Switzerland, is free to work in France or to travel to France seeking work without needing a visa or work permit.

Most other people will need permission to work in France – even if it’s only for a short period or for casual work such as grape-picking. Depending on your country of origin you may need a visa – everything you need to know about that is here.

In addition to the visa, you may also need a work permit, which is the responsibility of the employer.  To employ anyone in France for less than 90 days, an employer must get a temporary work permit – before the prospective employee applies for a short stay visa. This permit is then sent to the embassy at which the employee is applying for a visa.

If you come from countries including the UK, USA and Canada you can spend up to 90 days in France without a visa – but you may still need a work (convention d’accueil) if you want to work while you are here.

READ ALSO Six official websites to know if you’re planning to work in France

Certain countries have specific ‘seasonal worker’ visas on offer, for certain sectors which allows – for example – Canadians to come to France and work the ski season. 

Cash-in-hand jobs

Certain sectors which have a lot of casual workers – for example seasonal fruit-picking – do have cash-in-hand jobs, known in France as marché noir (black market) or simply travail au black (working on the black, or working illegally). 

This is of course illegal and working this way carries risks – as well as the possibility of losing your job if labour inspectors turn up you are also in a vulnerable position. If your employer suddenly decides not to pay you, or make unexpected deductions from your wages, there is very little you can do about it since you won’t have any kind of work contract. 

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