Young French people at the 2011 Hong Kong Rugby Sevens. (Photo: Stefan Lins via Flickr)

You’ve probably noticed the influx of French immigrants and the nooks they’ve created for themselves in Sheung Wan, Central and elsewhere.

“Stanley feels like a small French village,” said Catherine Viallefont, a teacher at the French International School (FIS). (Not quite, but whatever makes you feel at home.)

In fact, the French population here – estimated at around 18,000 to 20,000 – has grown faster than any other expat group, at about five percent over the past five years, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Apparently, Hong Kong is the hottest spot for French people looking for greener pastures outside of their unemployment-ridden country, with 800 French companies currently operating in Hong Kong.

With French adults come French children, and the enrolment in FIS’ French stream has risen from 1,500 students five years ago to 2,000 this year.

“We stay in a French social circle,” Viallefont told the WSJ.

“Hong Kong is easy because you don’t need to adapt. With language, friends, the community—it’s a city that could be anywhere.”

Well, you’ve got to give them credit for admitting that they’re not making any attempts to assimilate into the local culture.



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