Moving to Paris sounds like a dream. But what happens when you arrive in the City of Light and realize that making friends as an adult is harder than you expected?
Paris is famous for its beautiful cafés, charming streets, world-class museums, and romantic atmosphere. But behind the picture-perfect Parisian lifestyle, many women experience something that isn’t discussed nearly enough: loneliness.
Whether you’ve recently moved to France, are an expat living in Paris, or have called the city home for years, finding genuine friendships in Paris can be challenging.
In this episode of La Vie Creative, I sit down with Hannah, founder of The Women’s Social Club (WSC), a growing women’s membership community designed to help women create meaningful friendships through real-life experiences.
After building communities across the United States, The Women’s Social Club has chosen Paris as its first international chapter.
We discuss the challenges of making friends as an adult, building a social life abroad, the importance of female friendships, and how small, welcoming gatherings can transform the experience of living in a new city.
If you’ve ever wondered how to make friends in Paris, this conversation is for you.
Why Is It So Hard to Make Friends as an Adult?
Making friends seemed easier when we were younger.
At school or university, we naturally spent time with the same people every day. Friendships developed through shared routines, repeated interactions, and familiar environments.
But adulthood changes everything.
People move cities, change jobs, get married, have children, and develop increasingly busy schedules.
Many people now work remotely or in hybrid environments, reducing the opportunities for spontaneous social interactions.
Hannah explains that one of the most important ingredients in building friendships is consistency.
Seeing someone once every few months may be enjoyable, but strong relationships usually develop through regular contact.
That’s one reason The Women’s Social Club focuses on creating opportunities for women to meet repeatedly in relaxed, welcoming environments.
Rather than waiting for friendships to happen naturally, the community creates the structure that makes those connections possible.
What Is The Women’s Social Club?
The Women’s Social Club is a membership-based community that connects women through curated meetups, social gatherings, and shared experiences.
Interestingly, Hannah never originally planned to build an international women’s community.
Her journey began in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she opened a brick-and-mortar space after moving back from New York City.
The original concept combined a marketplace, coffee and wine bar, workshops, and events.
Over time, the space evolved into a gathering place for women, creatives, and local entrepreneurs.
When the pandemic forced the physical location to close, Hannah found a new way to continue bringing people together.
In September 2020, she began organizing small outdoor pop-up gatherings with local businesses.
These included movement classes, workshops, and other experiences, initially limited to approximately 15 participants.
The response was encouraging.
As restrictions lifted, interest grew, and Hannah began exploring the possibility of creating similar communities in other cities.
New York became an important testing ground for the concept, and eventually The Women’s Social Club expanded into a network of local chapters.
Today, its approach is centered on something simple: making it easier for women to show up, connect, and build lasting friendships.
The Women’s Social Club Launches in Paris
Paris represents an exciting milestone for The Women’s Social Club because it is the organization’s first international chapter.
Hannah explains that the decision to expand into Paris came from genuine interest among women already living in the city.
Potential members had been reaching out, asking when the community would arrive.
When a local organizer expressed interest in launching a chapter, the pieces began falling into place.
The Paris community began with introductory gatherings in spring 2026, continued with pop-up events over the summer, and moved into a more established launch in September.
The goal is to build a welcoming community for women who want to explore Paris while developing meaningful friendships.
And unlike large networking events where you might find yourself surrounded by strangers, The Women’s Social Club takes a more intimate approach.
Many meetups include fewer than 10 women, with some gatherings having approximately five participants.
This smaller format allows conversations to develop more naturally and helps make the experience less intimidating for newcomers.
Women’s Meetups in Paris: What Kind of Events Can You Attend?
One of the most appealing parts of The Women’s Social Club Paris is the variety of experiences available.
Instead of organizing only traditional networking events, the community focuses on activities that women might naturally enjoy with friends.
Museum Visits and Cultural Experiences
Paris offers endless opportunities to connect through art and culture.
Hannah describes a meetup at the Petit Palais, where women gathered for coffee before exploring the museum and gardens together.
Other planned experiences include art history tours and cultural outings.
These events are particularly appealing to women who love art, creativity, and discovering the city’s history.
Coffee Dates, Dinners, and Happy Hours
Sometimes the simplest activities create the strongest connections.
The Women’s Social Club organizes casual coffee gatherings, dinners, and happy hours where members can get to know each other without the pressure of a formal networking event.
These smaller gatherings encourage genuine conversation.
Wine Tastings in Paris
One Paris chapter team member works as a sommelier and has hosted wine-focused experiences.
These gatherings combine socializing with opportunities to learn about wine, its history, and different varieties.
It’s a lovely way to experience French culture while meeting new people.
Creative Events and Parisian Experiences
The community also embraces the artistic personality of Paris.
Hannah discusses plans for cabaret outings, creative experiences, and other activities inspired by the city.
A monthly book club, developed in partnership with a local female-owned bookstore, is also planned for early 2027.
These experiences offer members opportunities to discover new interests while building friendships.
Making Friends in Paris as an Expat
Moving abroad can be one of the most exciting experiences of your life.
But it can also be surprisingly lonely.
When you move to a new country, you’re often leaving behind the support systems you’ve spent years building.
Your family, longtime friends, favorite places, and familiar routines may suddenly be thousands of miles away.
Even everyday activities like visiting a doctor, shopping for groceries, or understanding local customs can feel overwhelming.
During our conversation, Hannah explains that loneliness is one of the biggest challenges she sees among women relocating internationally.
And I understand this personally.
When I first moved to Paris, I experienced loneliness and isolation too.
Even though I was living in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, I still had to make the effort to meet people and build a community.
Living in Paris doesn’t automatically mean having a fulfilling social life.
Friendship requires time, consistency, and the willingness to put yourself out there.
That’s why communities like The Women’s Social Club can be especially valuable for expats.
They provide opportunities to meet people who may be navigating similar experiences, while also introducing newcomers to women who already know the city.
How to Make Friends in Paris: Five Practical Tips
If you’re new to Paris or hoping to expand your social circle, here are five ideas inspired by my conversation with Hannah.
1. Join a Women’s Social Club or Community Group
Joining an organized community removes much of the uncertainty around meeting new people.
Instead of wondering where to go or how to introduce yourself, you can attend a gathering designed specifically for connection.
2. Attend Events Consistently
Friendships rarely develop overnight.
Try attending the same community’s events regularly so you have opportunities to reconnect with familiar faces.
3. Choose Activities You Genuinely Enjoy
Whether you love museums, books, photography, wine, fitness, or creative workshops, shared interests provide a natural starting point for conversation.
4. Be Open to Meeting People Outside Your Usual Circle
Some of the most meaningful friendships come from unexpected connections.
Don’t limit yourself to people who share your nationality, profession, or exact stage of life.
5. Show Up Even When You Feel Nervous
This was one of the biggest messages from Hannah’s interview.
It’s easy to sign up for an event and then decide to stay home, especially during the colder months.
But showing up creates opportunities that wouldn’t exist otherwise.
You don’t need to attend every event. Start with one gathering and give yourself the chance to enjoy it.
Why Female Friendships Matter So Much
We often spend enormous amounts of time discussing romantic relationships, marriage, and family.
But friendships deserve just as much attention.
Female friendships can provide emotional support, encouragement, shared experiences, and a sense of belonging.
Hannah describes the unique role her closest female friends play in her life.
They’re the people she turns to for advice, laughter, support, and conversations about everything from everyday frustrations to major life decisions.
Strong friendships can also create professional opportunities.
Women may meet through a social event, become friends, and eventually help each other through career changes, business opportunities, or other important life transitions.
The Women’s Social Club encourages this kind of organic networking, where relationships come first.
Is The Women’s Social Club Only for Expats?
Absolutely not.
Although many members of the Paris chapter are international women or expats, the community is open to women who want to expand their social circles.
You don’t have to be new to France to benefit from meeting new people.
Even if you’ve lived in Paris for 10 or 15 years, joining a social club can introduce you to different perspectives, interests, and friendships.
Life changes, and so do our social needs.
A community that encourages new connections can be valuable at any stage of life.
The Importance of Showing Up for Your Friendships
One of my favorite moments from this conversation was Hannah’s reminder that building friendships isn’t only about meeting people.
It’s also about showing up.
That might mean attending the dinner you committed to, checking in on someone you haven’t heard from recently, or making time for a friend even when life gets busy.
Hannah points out that it’s easy to cancel plans, especially when we’re tired or the weather is cold.
But meaningful relationships require effort.
And often, the evenings we’re least motivated to leave the house turn into the experiences we’re happiest we didn’t miss.
It’s a simple but powerful reminder that friendship is something we actively create.
A Global Community for Women
One of the interesting features of The Women’s Social Club is that membership connects women beyond their home city.
Members can explore events in other chapters through the club’s app.
This can be especially helpful for women who travel frequently, relocate for work, or enjoy discovering new cities.
Hannah describes members who travel for business and use the community to connect with women in their destination before arriving.
Instead of spending evenings alone in a hotel, they can arrange to meet other members.
Looking ahead, The Women’s Social Club hopes to continue its international expansion, with interest in London, Spain, and potentially additional communities in France.
Paris is an important first step in that journey.
How to Join The Women’s Social Club in Paris
If you’re interested in meeting new people and making friends in Paris, you can learn more about The Women’s Social Club through its website and social media channels.
The Women’s Social Club Paris
Website: https://wsc.club
Paris chapter: https://wsc.club/paris-chapter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wsc_paris/
Main Instagram: @womenssocialclub
In our interview, Hannah discusses introductory membership offers for founding Paris members, including six months free. As these are time-sensitive promotions, check the official website for current eligibility, pricing, and availability.
Listen to La Vie Creative: Hannah of The Women’s Social Club
In this episode of La Vie Creative, we discuss:
- Why making friends as an adult is so challenging
- How Hannah created The Women’s Social Club
- Why Paris became the organization’s first international chapter
- The loneliness that can come with moving abroad
- How to build meaningful friendships in Paris
- Women’s meetups, museum visits, and creative experiences
- The importance of consistency and showing up
- How friendships can lead to personal and professional opportunities
- The future of international women’s communities
Listen to the full episode of La Vie Creative on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform.
Discover more inspiring conversations about creativity, entrepreneurship, and life in France at https://missparisphoto.com.
Final Thoughts: Finding Your People in Paris
Paris is an extraordinary place to live, but what makes any city truly feel like home is the people we share it with.
A beautiful apartment, a favorite café, or a walk along the Seine can bring us happiness.
But having someone to share those experiences with makes them even more meaningful.
What I love about The Women’s Social Club is that it recognizes something so many women experience but don’t always talk about: the desire for genuine connection.
Whether you’ve just arrived in Paris or have lived here for years, it’s never too late to make a new friend.
Sometimes, building a community begins with something as simple as saying yes to a coffee date.
And showing up.
La Vie Creative is a podcast hosted by Krystal Kenney, celebrating creativity, inspiring people, entrepreneurship, and meaningful lives. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who might be looking for friendship or community in Paris.
