Working with Paris Teams Remotely: Time Zone Overlap & Meeting Guide

Paris operates on Central European Time (CET/CEST). For remote workers collaborating with French teams, understanding the overlap windows and work culture is essential.

Time Zone Overlap Windows

🇺🇸 Paris ↔ US East Coast (New York, Boston)

• Overlap: 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM Paris = 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET
• Best meeting time: 4:00 PM Paris / 10:00 AM New York
• Challenge: Limited to afternoon in Paris

🇺🇸 Paris ↔ US West Coast (SF, LA)

• Overlap: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Paris = 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM PT
• Best meeting time: 6:00 PM Paris / 9:00 AM SF
• Challenge: Very limited window, evening calls for Paris

🇬🇧 Paris ↔ London

• Difference: Paris is 1 hour ahead
• Overlap: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM (nearly full day)
• Best meeting time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM either city
• Easy: Same workday, just 1 hour shift

🇦🇪 Paris ↔ Dubai

• Difference: Dubai is 3 hours ahead
• Overlap: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Paris = 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Dubai
• Best meeting time: 10:00 AM Paris / 1:00 PM Dubai

🇸🇬 Paris ↔ Singapore

• Difference: Singapore is 7 hours ahead
• Overlap: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Paris = 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Singapore
• Best meeting time: 9:00 AM Paris / 4:00 PM Singapore

🇯🇵 Paris ↔ Tokyo

• Difference: Tokyo is 8 hours ahead
• Overlap: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Paris = 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Tokyo
• Best meeting time: 9:00 AM Paris / 5:00 PM Tokyo
• Alternative: 6:00 PM Paris / 2:00 AM Tokyo (next day) - tough

🇦🇺 Paris ↔ Sydney

• Difference: Sydney is 9-10 hours ahead (varies with DST)
• Overlap: 8:00 AM Paris = 5:00 PM Sydney (winter)
• Challenge: Almost no overlap during business hours
• Best: Early morning Paris / end of day Sydney

French Work Culture

Key Cultural Points

• Formality: Business communication tends to be more formal initially
• "Bonjour" first: Always start with a greeting, even in quick messages
• Work-life balance: French law protects "right to disconnect" after hours
• August: Many take the entire month off - plan accordingly
• Friday afternoons: Often end early, especially in summer

Optimal Meeting Times by Region

Async Collaboration Tips

1. Record meetings: For team members in incompatible time zones
2. Use Loom/video updates: Instead of requiring live attendance
3. Set clear response windows: "Will respond within 24h"
4. Overlap hours for urgent: Define when real-time is required
5. Respect the disconnect: Don't expect after-hours responses

French Public Holidays to Note

French teams will be unavailable on these days. Plan around them:

• May 1: Labour Day (everything closes)
• May 8: Victory in Europe Day
• July 14: Bastille Day
• August 15: Assumption
• November 1: All Saints' Day
• November 11: Armistice Day