Lana Oconnell
France is a popular destination for international students due to its welcoming attitude, high-quality education, and low tuition fees. The cost of living in France is 7.4% lower than in the US, and the country offers a multicultural student experience. Paris is a popular student destination, with top-notch universities, dynamic nightlife, and an exciting pace of life. However, it is the second most expensive city in the world. Toulouse, the fourth-largest student city in France, is more affordable and has a vibrant multicultural student population. Bordeaux, home to the University of Bordeaux, is another great student town, offering a fantastic student atmosphere, culture, and gastronomy. Lille, named France's friendliest city, is the cheapest city in France and Western Europe. University residence halls, managed by CROUS, are publicly owned and subsidized by the French government, making them a top affordable accommodation choice for students. Private student residences, shared apartments, and hostels are also available.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Living costs | The cost of living in France is 7.4% lower than in the US. However, Paris is the second most expensive city in the world. The living cost in France depends on the city and lifestyle. |
| Accommodation costs | University residences are the most affordable, costing €200-400 per month. Private studios or PBSAs cost €500-1000 per month. Shared apartments cost €300-600 per month. |
| Student cities | Paris, Lyon, and Toulouse are considered the best cities for international students. Toulouse is the largest student city in France and has been named the best student city in the country. Bordeaux, Lille, and Marseille are also popular student cities. |
| University residences | University residence halls are managed by regional centers for student services called CROUS. Rooms in Paris are around €400 per month and €350 on average elsewhere. |
| Private residences | Private student residences are more expensive than CROUS buildings but offer advantages and facilities. Rent for a private apartment in Paris is around €800 and €400 in other cities. |
| Hostels | Most hostels are run by non-profits and cater to young people aged 18-25. |
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What You'll Learn
University residence halls
The application process for international students varies depending on their specific situation. Free movers, for instance, must directly request accommodation in a university residence managed by CROUS. The availability of rooms in CROUS buildings can be found on the Lokaviz website, which lists all the units in these residences. This platform also includes vacancies offered by individual property owners, providing a comprehensive view of student housing options.
The Cité internationale universitaire de Paris (CIUP) is another notable example of university residence halls. Located in the 14th arrondissement, it accommodates a diverse community of nearly 6,000 students, scholars, scientists, artists, and athletes from across the globe. To reside at CIUP, individuals must be enrolled in an institution in the Paris region and be pursuing a master's degree or higher qualification. The rent at CIUP varies based on factors such as amenities, age, and length of stay.
While university residence halls are a convenient option, they can be challenging to secure due to high demand. In such cases, privately-owned and run student residences are a suitable alternative. Although rents tend to be higher in these accommodations, they still fall within the range of student budgets and offer various advantages and facilities.
Overall, university residence halls in France provide students with affordable and convenient housing options. With low rents, potential subsidies, and a vibrant community, these residences are a popular choice for students seeking a balance between academics and social life.
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Private residences
If you are unable to secure a room in a CROUS building, you can opt for a privately owned and run student residence. These tend to be more expensive than CROUS residences but are comparable to other types of student accommodation. Private residences are a good option if you want to live alone, as they offer studio apartments. Renting a studio apartment in Paris will cost you around 800 EUR per month, while in other cities, it will cost around 400 EUR. Private residences often provide a range of advantages and facilities.
When looking for private residences, it is recommended to use online resources such as Lokaviz, which lists vacancies in university residences and private homes. You can also contact the international office at your university, as they can provide recommendations for student housing. It is important to note that you should not transfer money over the internet until you have signed a rental agreement and spoken with a property owner or agent in person.
While private residences offer more flexibility and can be a good option if you are looking for specific amenities or a certain level of comfort, they may come with higher costs. It is important to consider your budget and explore the different options available before making a decision.
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Student cities
France is a popular country for international students due to its welcoming attitude, high-quality education, and low tuition fees. The cost of living in France is 7.4% lower than in the US, and most cities offer an affordable cost of living. The living costs in France are higher in Paris, but more affordable in smaller cities.
Paris
Paris is a magical and popular destination for tourists and students alike. It is an attractive city, especially for students, as it has some top-notch universities, dynamic nightlife, and an exciting pace of life. Paris is a student destination and is ranked #7 by QS Best Student Cities ranking. Paris is the second most expensive city in the world, with a monthly expense of €1,386 excluding tuition fees. The cost of rent is expensive in Paris and will depend upon the type of accommodation, location, and amenities. However, there are affordable student accommodation options in Paris, including student housing, apartments, and uni halls.
Toulouse
Toulouse has been named the #1 best student city in France, with approximately 110,000 students in the region. It is home to the University of Toulouse 1, which has been ranked #900-1000 by QS World University Rankings. Toulouse is the 4th largest student city in France, offering a vibrant multicultural student population, nightlife, entertainment, and a low cost of living. The student accommodation in Toulouse is affordable as it is designed to meet the needs and budget of the students.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux ranks #9 as the overall ranking student city. It is home to the University of Bordeaux, known for its academic excellence. The cost of living in Bordeaux can be expensive, coming to around €781 per month excluding tuition fees. However, there are many affordable student accommodations in Bordeaux that will suit your needs and budget. Bordeaux has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO and is one of the best student towns for Erasmus students.
Lille
Lille is named "France's friendliest city" because of its hospitality and warm, welcoming nature. It's also famous for its youthfulness and affordable cost of living. Lille is home to many universities, the most popular being the Université de Lille, which ranks #631-640 in QS World University Rankings 2024. Lille is France's cheapest city and Western Europe's cheapest city.
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Cost of living
The cost of living in France for international students varies depending on location, lifestyle, and choices. Paris is the second most expensive city in the world, with a monthly expense of €1,386, excluding tuition fees. The cost of rent in Paris is high and depends on the type of accommodation, location, and amenities. Student halls of residence in Paris costs €400 per month, while it costs €200 per month in other cities. The rent for a shared apartment in Paris ranges from €800 to €1,000 per month, while it costs between €400 and €700 per month in smaller cities.
Smaller cities such as Lille, Bordeaux, and Toulouse offer a more affordable lifestyle for students. Lille is the cheapest city in France and Western Europe. Toulouse has been named the best student city in France, with affordable student accommodation designed to meet the student budget. Bordeaux can be expensive, with a monthly expense of €781, excluding tuition fees. However, there are many affordable student accommodations in Bordeaux.
Monthly grocery expenses in France range from €150 to €250. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs €10–€15, while a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant costs €25–€40. Coffee at a cafe costs €2–€4. The monthly public transport passes cost between €30 and €70, with student discounts available in many cities.
International students can expect to spend between €800 and €1,200 per month on average, covering essentials like accommodation, food, transportation, and leisure activities. The overall living costs in France are lower than in the US and the UK, making it a popular destination for international students.
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International students
One popular option for international students is to live in a university residence hall. These residences are managed by France's regional centers for student services, known as CROUS, and offer affordable rent (around €450 in Paris and €350 elsewhere) and the opportunity for social interaction with other students. However, demand often exceeds supply, making these rooms difficult to secure. International students on a formal exchange program or Erasmus+ do not need to contact CROUS directly, as their host institution's international relations service will take care of booking their accommodation. Lokaviz is a useful website that lists all the units available in CROUS residences, as well as spaces offered by individual property owners, and all listings are guaranteed to be decent housing.
Privately-owned and operated student buildings are another option, though they tend to be more expensive than CROUS residences. These private residences often offer advantages such as furnished rooms, internet, gyms, and laundry facilities. Examples of companies that provide this type of accommodation include PARME, UXCO, Les Estudines, and Cardinal Campus.
Many students also choose to rent apartments, either living alone in a studio or sharing with others (known as colocation). Renting a studio apartment in Paris typically costs at least €800, while in other cities, it is around €400. Shared apartments can significantly reduce living costs, as tenants split the rent and utility costs. Websites such as appartager, roomlala, immojeune, and la carte des colocs list shared rental opportunities.
It is recommended that students start looking for accommodation and, if necessary, make temporary reservations before arriving in France, as it can be difficult to find rental accommodation, especially in big cities. Students should also be aware of the various assistance programmes and benefits available to help with accommodation costs, such as the "allocation de logement sociale" (social housing benefit) and the "aide au logement personnalisée" (personalised housing assistance). Comprehensive household insurance is also mandatory and should be obtained before signing a lease.
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Frequently asked questions
You can find listings for student accommodation in France on Lokaviz, which is the clearinghouse for student housing in the country.
CROUS buildings are publicly owned residences managed by France’s regional centres for student services, known as CROUS (centres régionaux des œuvres universitaires et scolaires). They are a popular choice among students as they are subsidised by the government, have low rent, and occupants qualify for housing assistance from CAF (France’s family assistance fund).
Smaller cities in France are generally more affordable than bigger cities. Toulouse has been named the best student city in France, with approximately 110,000 students in the region and affordable housing. Lille is France's cheapest city and is also Western Europe's cheapest city. Other cities with the cheapest rent in France include Limoges, Clermont-Ferrand, and Brest.
Paris is the most expensive city for students in France, with rents averaging €1,386 per month excluding tuition fees. Bordeaux is another city with an expensive cost of living, with monthly expenses adding up to around €781 excluding tuition fees.
The average monthly living cost for a student in France is around €800–1,200, including accommodation, food, transport, and other expenses.
