Here we list the types of housing that can be found:
A classic: student’s residence
First of all, we need to know what we will need to make sure in advance that we will have a room available at the residences –very well known and popular. And since we need to make a reservation, we have to know beforehand which will be the college we will attend-. During the summer holidays (from July to September) some residences may offer rooms for rent at a very reasonable price.
College campus
Many universities have their own accommodation (bedrooms and rooms for studying) at very good rates – in some occasions you only pay € 120 a month, if you don’t mind being on the outskirts of Paris. That doesn’t have to be a problem, since the city has a good development of public transport; and it is fundamental to consider that –as in most cities- the farther we are from the center, the cheaper rent we pay.
These places are called Cités-U and are under the administration of the CROUS –the regional offices of the CNOUS –national agency of student services-. The Cités-U are offered according to social criteria, or reserved for those with a scholarship or are part of a student exchange program, due to the high demand. For more information, you can visit the following web sites of various organizations that inform you about public residences:
A list of the CROUS agencies and all their contacts: www.cnous.fr.
More comfort
Private residences –which are, of course, more expensive than the accommodation the CNOUS provides- are also a good choice. There is also a network of organizations for that, detailed next:
ADELE (Association pour le Développement Économique du Logement Étudiant) : It is the Association for Economic Development and Accommodation of Students, which operates a website containing a list of student accommodation available in about 100 towns around France. To enter: www.adele.org.
CLEF (Centre de Logement pour Etudiants de France) : The Accommodation Centre for Students of France has its facilities in the towns of Grenoble (Montesquieu and Saint Exépury), Rouen (La varende) and Evreux (Charles Péguy). Rents are between €200 and 300. Access: www.logetudes.com.
Résidences Estudines: It has facilities in the 20 most important cities of France, with rates from €300 and €400. Find out more: www.estudines.fr.
Eurostudiomes: Last but not least there is this administration and development of student’s residences, known as Les lauréades. They offer studies and apartments to share. The facilities are normally located close to the universities and costs vary from €300-600.