Housing

Cité U of CROUS 

Public student housing also called Cités U, are managed by the CROUS (Regional Centres of University and Academic Services), and subsidized by the French government. These are available for French students and international students alike.

Learn more about how to apply for student housing in CROUS.

Contact the international relations department at your university in France to find out if they have a specific agreement with the CROUS. Applications are usually open in the summer for international applicants.

The application process for international students varies depending on whether they are on a formal exchange program or are on an independent program. 

• Independent: To make a request for a reservation of accommodation in a university residence managed by the CROUS, international students must go directly through the platform the CROUS. You will find all the information and you need to choose your accommodation in a CROUS residence.
   
• Students on a formal exchange program or Erasmus +: it is the international relations service of your host institution that takes care of booking your accommodation and sending you the procedures. It is not necessary to contact the CROUS directly.
   
• Scholarship holders managed by Campus France: the main agency of Campus France Paris is in charge of booking your accommodation and sending you the procedures. It is not necessary to contact the CROUS directly.

You should always contact your school in France to ask if they have an agreement with the CROUS for housing solutions.

CIUP in Paris 

For students in the Paris region and working on a master’s degree or PhD, the CIUP is a good option. 

Located in the 14e arrondissement of Paris, the Cité internationale universitaire de Paris  is a vast community of university residences that house nearly 6,000 students, scholars, scientists, artists, and athletes from all over the world.

Private Résidence Universitaire

Private student residences are also open to international students. Rent may be higher than in the CROUS Cités U as it is not subsidized. This may be a good option if you would like to live with other students, have a furnished room, laundry facilities, internet and utilities included, etc.

Note: Campus France has no partnerships with these agencies or organizations, and we are not able to verify their suitability. We are sharing these only for informational purposes to help students in their research. 

Here are several resources for finding a private student residence or private dorm: 

1. Les Estudines
    
2. PARME
    
3. Suitétudes
    
4. Nexity Studea 
    
5. FacHabitat
    
6. Logifac
    
7. Cardinal Campus
    
8. Neoresid
    
9. TwentyCampus
    
10. Studapart
     
11. Adele

Student Hostels

Some hostels and organizations that run hostels or auberges de jeunesses offer longer-term housing for students at an affordable rate. 

Here are a few places to begin your research: 

1. French National Union of Student Homes 
    
2. Association of Youth Hostel

Renting an Apartment 

You may rent a room or apartment directly from a property owner or through a rental agency. If you rent through an agency, you will have to pay fees equal to a little more than a month’s rent, in addition to the security deposit required by both agencies and private owners. Apartments may be rented empty or furnished.  

Note: Campus France has no partnerships with these agencies or organizations, and we are not able to verify their suitability. We are sharing these only for informational purposes to help students in their research. 

Here are several resources for finding an apartment or room rental: 

1. Lokaviz - A service managed by the CROUS that gathers and shares information about private apartment and room rentals. The advantage of searching with Lokaviz is that the rentals listed have been verified by the CROUS.
    
2. Le Bon Coin - This is a French platform comparable to Craislist. You will find a lot of rentals available, but be sure to always visit the apartment first in person, and be prudent - as you would anywhere - as these are not verified listings. 
    
3. Appartager - Search platform for shared apartment and roommates connections, these are called Collocations. 
     
4. Roomlala - Search for rooms to rent and shared space across France. 
    
5. Immojeune - Search student accommodation options across France. 
    
6. La Carte des Colocs - Another platform for finding roommates and shared spaces. 
    
7. Studapart - Platform for finding student housing across France.

Living with a family or older resident 

International students wishing to refine their French language proficiency and have a more inter-generational French experience often choose to live with a French family. This can be a practical and economical solution. Students have their own room in a house or apartment while taking part in French daily life and enjoying the comforts and facilities of a permanent home. Some families even offer students free or reduced rent in return for services such as childcare, help with homework, or language lessons. 

Many students also consider intergenerational housing. Nonprofits match students looking for housing with seniors willing to offer a room in their home for students. Rents are modest and sometimes free. There are many societal benefits of making connections between students and older residents, for all parties involved.

Note: Campus France has no partnerships with these agencies or organizations, and we are not able to verify their suitability. We are sharing these only for informational purposes to help students in their research. 

Finding a family or homestay: 

1. CoHomly - Connecting students with families and homestays in France.
2. FranceStay - Connecting international students with accommodation in French families. 
3. Ensemble 2 Generations - Connecting students to residents of other generations. 
4. Réseau CoSi - Intergenerational housing network.
5. Xenia - Intergenerational housing network.
6. Colette - Intergenerational housing network
7. Butrfly - Intercultural and Intergenerational housing network

A garant is a person who guarantees to pay your rent if you are unable to do so. In France, a guarantor is required renting an apartment, whether you are French or not. Typically, the garant needs to be French or live in France, which poses some challenges for international students.  

If you do not have a French guarantor, other options are available through VISALE, a free rental deposit if you rent an apartment in the private sector.

Real estate is described and advertised differently in France than in the US, and you'll want to understand how to properly read apartment listing as you search for a home. 

Where in the US, real estate is typically described by the number of bedrooms (1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, etc.), in France the number of rooms mentioned in advertisements refers to the amount of “living space” (e.g., bedroom, living room, dining room); it does not include the kitchen, bathroom, or hallways.

For example, deux pièces (or T2, or F2) means that the unit has one bedroom and a living room, as well as a kitchen and bathroom. 

Here are some other common phrases and abbreviations: 

• Studio: a single room with a kitchenette 

• T2 or F2: deux pièces -  a bedroom and a living room, as well as a kitchen and bathroom 

• T3 or F3: trois pièces - a three-room apartment (usually indicating two bedrooms)  

• SdB: Bathroom with bathtub 

• Salle d’eau: Bathroom with shower 

• Appt.: Apartment 

• RdC: Ground floor, street level 

• Asc.: Elevator 

• TBE: Very good condition 

• CC: Charges included. "Charges" cover the costs of maintaining the building (exterior, grounds, common areas) and providing common services (e.g., collecting trash).