Living in Paris

Paris, the capital of France, is a major world metropolis and center for culture, art, fashion, gastronomy, and intellectual life. The Seine river traverses the city; its waterways, quays, and bridges are major thoroughfares but also ways to see the city’s most famous monuments, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre museum, and the Notre Dame cathedral. The city is known for its cafés (one for every 200 inhabitants); its parks (Bois de Boulogne, Jardin de Luxembourg, Bois de Vincennes); its street life and markets, and as a magnet for visitors from around the world.

Housing is relatively easy to find if you are not too fussy. Depending on where you come from you will find that apartments are larger or smaller that what you are used to. The school can assist you in finding housing. An independent studio will cost 700 € and up. Sharing an apartment with other students will cost you about 600 € per month

Public transportation is affordable and very convenient. The famous metro system, and the bus network that has its own lanes on the main thoroughfares mean that few locations is Paris are more than half an hour apart.  And is you need to get home in the wee hours of the morning, the night buses network that operates when the metro and regular buses shut down will get you there.
www.ratp.fr

Eating out, well where else but in Paris? In every neighborhood you will find local brasseries ands restaurants that offer set menus starting at 8 to 10 € and up of course. A quick meal on the go? Check out the Turkish restaurants and Chinese places where you will be able to eat for about 5 €, and the inevitable fast food joints. Yes we even, have McDonalds….

Shopping : shop your little heart out when in Paris. Window shop in the so called golden triangle between the avenue Montaigne, the Avenue George V and the champs Elysées where the high end fashion labels have their boutiques and at the place Vendôme where the jewelers are located. You will find the more hip and casual stuff around the Halles area, in the Marais and in Saint Germain des Près.

Sports can be practiced at the school which has soccer, basketball, volleyball and track and field teams. Students who want to work out can usually get a reduced rate at the Gymnase Club network, just ask as you are enquiring about joining. There are a number of other smaller gym clubs in Paris, you might find one in your neighborhood.

National museums are free the first Sunday of the month and yes, this includes the Louvres Museum. They are closed on Tuesdays whereas museums run by the town of Paris are closed on Mondays.

Air travel with Europe has become quite affordable with the appearance of a large number of low cost airlines that have forced the national airlines to compete and offer low cost fares with some booking conditions.

What to bring. Bring any prescription medication that you might need. You will find anything you need in Paris. But most things are more expensive so you might want to not plan on buying a lot of stuff when in Paris and spending you money on enjoying yourself in the town and Europe rather than acquiring things you could have brought with you.

Learn more www.paris.org

Download the complete student guide to Paris