6 month visa

Hi M and welcome to the Forum.

You need a Type-D visa; contact the nearest French Consulate to where you live and ask them for the up to date process you have to follow.

Hi M - what you're asking for is a long stay visa. Long stay visas are for over 3 months, up to a year (so your 6-mo is the same process and form as the 1-yr). You can download the application here: http://www.consulfrance-sanfrancisco.or … rticle2676
This is for San Francisco, but the application form is the same from every USA consul. However! The application process (and background items needed) are very different from consulate to consulate, so you absolutely must check on whichever one is for your region. You can't make an appointment more than three months before your trip, so you have time.
Here are a few posts about my process:
http://slowtravelin.blogspot.fr/2016/11 … day-8.htmlhttp://slowtravelin.blogspot.fr/2016/12 … -visa.htmlhttp://slowtravelin.blogspot.fr/2016/12 … pdate.html
Hope this helps,
Julie

BTW, you won't need a French bank account for the visa (it may be helpful to have when searching for housing).
You should have enough money in a bank (shown on your account statement) to live on for the time you are asking to be in France. This is essentially equal to your current expenses (assuming you are living on your own) - your last 2 or 3 bank statements should show your​ "outgo." Just make sure your statements tell the story - you have enough money to live on, and you won't be a drain on French resources.

FWIW, the average French Income is €2105/mo

Thank you.  Appreciate your responding.
m