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You might want to look at remote work, if that's something you're comfortable with. You can get paid well (think "Paris-salary") and live in more economical areas. Happy to talk more if you're interested.

In the UK my experience has been that graduate developer salaries aren't that great, but can double for someone woth as little as 1-2 years experience post university.

French who moved to London here.

Yes, that's what happens in London however that's not what happens in France. Expect zero increase for the next many years, even if changing company.

What school did you go to, if you're comfortable sharing?

Not really comfortable giving a name but its one of the top 10 engineering schools in the country (France).