Living in France
Finding housing in France
CROUS university residences
CROUS, the regional affiliates of the French national student service agency, manage university residences that can be located on campus or in the city.
Older residences offer furnished rooms of approximately 10 square meters with a private sink and shared showers and toilets. Recent and renovated residences offer greater amenities and a broader range of housing – from simple, one-person rooms to studios with a shower and kitchenette – and are equipped with internet connections. CROUS residences are by far the least expensive type of housing: rents range from 120 Euros for a simple room to 350 Euros for a studio.
However, this type of housing is relatively limited and priority is given to recipients of French government scholarships. Many universities have agreements with CROUS which enable them to reserve rooms for international students who are participating in exchange and cooperation programs.
Some educational institutions also reserve rooms for international students enrolled in the second year of a masters program or in a doctoral program. If one of these cases applies to you, find out more from your educational institution or the organization managing your scholarship.
In all other cases, your chances of getting housing in a CROUS residence are very limited. However, you can apply for housing with CROUS after your arrival as there are sometimes withdrawals during the year.
Rent: 120 Euros to 350 Euros per month, depending on the type of housing.
Security deposit: equivalent to one month’s rent.
Guarantor: obligatory to have a guarantor who is a resident of the European Union.
Temporary or short-term housing: no, obligatory 9-month rental agreement for a room and 12-month agreement for a studio, except during the summer.
Reserving housing from outside the area: not possible.
Financial housing assistance (ALS or APL): possible.
Housing provided by grandes écoles and private educational institutions
In contrast to public universities, grandes écoles and private educational institutions often have student housing that they manage themselves on their own campuses. The number of places is generally limited, but the institutions try to reserve housing for the international students that they have selected. Rents are generally between 250 Euros and 350 Euros per month. If you plan to study at one of these educational institutions, visit its website for more information and reserve your room as soon as you receive confirmation of your acceptance.
Private student residences
Private residences for students exist in most cities with university towns. They are more expensive than CROUS residences but offer a greater degree of comfort and provide various services (reception area, entry phones, common area, cafeteria, coin laundries, housekeeping services, garage).
They are often located close to campus. This type of housing can be suitable for both short- and long-term stays. Online reservation from abroad is possible in most cases, but you will usually have to pay several months rent in advance.
The internet portal of the Association pour le développement économique du logement étudiant (ADELE), provides access to the websites of many private residences.
You can also visit the websites of the following residences, which operate in many cities:
Résidences LamyRésidences EstudinesRésidences LauréadesOffice de Services Etudiants (OSE)Association Fac-Habitat
Rent: from 600 Euros to 700 Euros per month in Paris and 400 Euros to 700 Euros per month outside Paris.
Security deposit: equivalent to one month’s rent.
Guarantor: obligatory to have a guarantor who is a French resident. If you do not have a guarantor, you can pay for one year in advance.
Temporary or short-term housing: possible, depending on availability. Generally difficult between September and March.
Reserving housing from outside the area: if you reserve from abroad, two months rent are required.
Financial housing assistance (ALS or APL): possible.
© CampusFrance 2008