🇫🇷 Travel & Living in France
A practical arrival and living guide for students heading to France — transport, housing, money, safety and your first week.
So you're moving to France to study. Here's the practical, non-academic side: how to arrive, settle in and live well on a student budget.
Getting there & around
Most students arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Paris Orly (ORY); direct trains serve Lyon, Bordeaux, Marseille and other university cities from CDG. The high-speed TGV network is excellent — Paris to Lyon takes two hours, Paris to Bordeaux under two. Buy train tickets via SNCF Connect and look for the Carte Avantage Jeune (under-27 discount card, around EUR 49/year) which cuts fares by 30–60%. Within cities, single-operator metro/bus/tram systems use paper tickets or tap-to-pay bank cards (Navigo in Paris, TCL in Lyon, Tisséo in Toulouse).
Where to live
CROUS residences (government student housing) are heavily subsidised — apply as early as possible through your university's international office, as places are limited. Off-campus, look on SeLoger, Le Bon Coin and university housing boards. French landlords typically ask for a dossier: ID, enrolment certificate, proof of income or a French guarantor. If you lack a guarantor, the state VISALE scheme (visale.fr) provides a free guarantee — apply before you sign anything. Expect a one-month security deposit.
Cost of living & budgeting
France is moderately priced for Europe. Paris is significantly more expensive than other university cities; Lyon, Toulouse, Montpellier and Rennes are noticeably cheaper.
| Item | Rough monthly (EUR) |
|---|---|
| CROUS room (if allocated) | 200–400 |
| Shared apartment (Paris) | 700–1,100 |
| Shared apartment (provincial city) | 400–650 |
| Groceries (Lidl/Auchan) | 200–300 |
| Monthly transit pass (under 26) | 20–40 |
Tip: the CAF (Caisse d'Allocations Familiales) housing benefit can reduce your rent by EUR 50–200/month — apply online within a few weeks of arriving; it is open to EU and non-EU students alike.
Money, SIM & admin
Open a French bank account at a BNP Paribas, Societe Generale or Credit Agricole student branch (bring passport, visa, proof of address and enrolment certificate). Alternatively, N26 or Revolut work from day one with no French address required, which is useful while you wait for your CROUS allocation. For a SIM, Free Mobile (EUR 2/month for basic) and Bouygues Telecom student plans offer the best value; buy in-store or online. Non-EU students must validate their long-stay visa online within 90 days of arrival at administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr.
Safety & health
France is generally safe. Be aware of pickpockets in tourist-heavy areas of Paris and on the RER. Emergency: 15 (SAMU medical), 17 (police), 18 (fire) or the European 112. EU students use their EHIC/GHIC card for public healthcare. Non-EU students are covered by the French student social security scheme (CVEC) once enrolled — register with a GP (médecin traitant) to get reimbursed for consultations.
Culture & student life
French academic culture rewards independent critical thinking; professors are respected but approachable. Formal address (vous) is standard with staff. Student life revolves around BDE (student associations), cafes and the weekly market. Lunch at a university resto-u (CROUS canteen) costs around EUR 3.30 — one of the best deals in France. Language matters: French is the medium of instruction outside Grandes Ecoles' English programmes; even basic French significantly improves daily life.
Your first week
- Validate your long-stay visa online (non-EU students) — the deadline is strict.
- Collect your student card and pick up your campus Wi-Fi credentials.
- Apply for CAF housing benefit immediately — the sooner you apply, the sooner payments start.
- Open a bank account or activate a Revolut/N26 for immediate use.
- Buy a SIM, locate the nearest supermarché and find your CROUS canteen for cheap lunches.