The Best Advice for Aspiring Escorts in Paris

Going into escort work in Paris isn’t like signing up for a job posting. There’s no HR department, no employee handbook, and no safety training provided. If you’re thinking about starting out, you need to treat this like launching a small business-with real risks, real rewards, and real consequences if you skip the basics.

Know the legal gray zone

France doesn’t criminalize selling sex, but it does criminalize nearly everything around it. Pimping, soliciting in public, operating a brothel, or advertising services online are all illegal. That means you can legally offer companionship for money, but you can’t legally say you’re selling sex. The law is designed to make it hard to operate openly, and police often use minor infractions to shut down operations. Many escorts get caught not because they broke the law, but because they didn’t understand how the law was being applied.

Don’t assume that just because you’re not being arrested, you’re safe. Police raids on apartments and hotels happen without warning. If you’re working out of a rental, make sure your lease doesn’t prohibit commercial activity. Landlords in Paris have been known to evict tenants after a single complaint, even if no crime was committed.

Build your brand, not just your profile

Your online presence isn’t just a photo gallery-it’s your storefront. Most clients find escorts through independent websites, not agencies. A clean, professional site with clear pricing, boundaries, and service descriptions builds trust faster than any agency can. Use a domain name that’s easy to remember, like your first name or a variation of it. Avoid anything that sounds like a club or a massage parlor. Clients looking for discretion don’t want to feel like they’re walking into a spa.

Photos matter, but not in the way you think. High-quality, natural lighting, simple backgrounds, and one or two candid shots of you in everyday settings (coffee shop, park, walking) work better than studio portraits. Avoid filters that change your appearance. Clients want to know who they’re meeting, not a version of you edited to look like someone else.

Set boundaries before you meet anyone

The biggest mistake new escorts make is saying yes to everything. You are not obligated to do anything you’re uncomfortable with. Say no to services you don’t offer. Say no to clients who push for more. Say no to meeting in isolated places-even if they offer more money. You are not negotiating your safety; you are protecting your life.

Use a screening process. Ask for full name, age, and how they found you. Don’t meet someone who refuses to give basic info. Use a trusted friend to check in during appointments. Have a code word to text if things go wrong. Keep your phone charged. Never share your home address. Always meet in public first, even if the client insists on a private location. A hotel room is fine, but never a client’s apartment unless you’ve vetted them thoroughly over multiple interactions.

Manage your money like a business

Cash is still king in this industry. Many clients pay in euros. Keep a separate bank account for your earnings. Don’t mix personal and professional money. Use a digital wallet like Revolut or N26 to track income and expenses. Save 30% of every payment for taxes. Even if you’re not officially registered, France will come after you if you earn enough to be noticed. The tax authority doesn’t care if you’re an escort-they care if you’re not declaring income.

Track your expenses: cleaning supplies, transportation, makeup, website hosting, phone bills. These are deductible if you ever need to prove your income is legitimate. Keep receipts. Use a simple spreadsheet. You don’t need an accountant-you need consistency.

Build a support network

This work can be isolating. You’re not supposed to talk about it with friends or family. But you need people who understand. Join online forums for sex workers in France. Groups like Association des Travailleuses du Sexe offer legal advice, safety tips, and peer support. Don’t wait until something goes wrong to reach out. Build those connections now.

Find a therapist who specializes in trauma or sex work. Not every counselor understands this world. Ask for someone who’s worked with sex workers before. You’re not broken for doing this job. You’re managing a high-stress profession with little institutional support. Therapy isn’t a sign of weakness-it’s part of your risk management plan.

Plan your exit strategy

Most people don’t stay in this work forever. Some leave after a year. Others stay for five or ten. But if you don’t plan ahead, you’ll end up stuck. Start saving for a future outside this work. Take online courses in graphic design, digital marketing, or language tutoring. Learn skills that transfer. Build a portfolio. Even if you’re not ready to leave now, having options reduces stress.

Paris is expensive. Rent, food, transportation-it all adds up. If you’re earning €100-€150 per hour, that sounds great until you realize you’re working 20-25 hours a week just to cover basic costs. Build a financial cushion. Aim for six months of living expenses saved. That gives you breathing room to step back, reassess, or pivot without panic.

Stay informed and adapt

Laws change. Clients change. Technology changes. What worked last year might get you arrested this year. Follow French sex worker advocacy groups on social media. Read updates from organizations like Prostitution and Human Rights or La Maison des Femmes. Subscribe to their newsletters. If you’re not learning, you’re falling behind.

Don’t copy what other escorts are doing. Every situation is different. What works for someone in the 16th arrondissement might not work for you in the 18th. Pay attention to what’s working locally. Notice which clients return. Notice which services get the most repeat business. Adjust based on real data, not gossip.

Trust your instincts

You’ll meet people who seem charming, generous, even kind. That doesn’t mean they’re safe. You’ll meet people who seem rude or demanding-that doesn’t mean they’re dangerous. Your gut feeling is your best tool. If something feels off, it probably is. Cancel the appointment. Block the number. Walk away. No client is worth your peace of mind.

This job isn’t glamorous. It’s not about luxury cars or designer clothes. It’s about showing up, staying safe, and protecting your mental and physical health. The best escorts aren’t the ones with the most followers or the highest prices. They’re the ones who’ve learned how to survive-and thrive-on their own terms.