Maria's Erasmus Experience in Orleans, France

Why did you choose to go to Orleans, France?

I chose Orleans because I wanted to go to France and it was one of the options that I had. In addition, I preferred to go to a small city rather than a bigger one and I liked the location of Orleans, which is only one hour from Paris by train. I also understood that there is a good university atmosphere, but with the quietness of the city, which I liked.

How long did the scholarship last? How much money did you receive to help you with living costs?

The Erasmus scholarship was given to me for 10 months of the whole year, but I only received 5 months of scholarship because of the changes that the EU made. They gave 300 euros every month so in total it was 1500 euros. France also offers a monthly loan to help with accommodation (caf) which varies according to which residence you live in, but it means that you get to pay half of the cost of monthly accommodation, which is not bad at all.

What is the student lifestyle like in Orleans?

In Orleans there is good university atmosphere, especially on campus where there are different events and activities nearly every day. The international people of the different faculties mix a lot, although the French are not so open/friendly, but you can find something for everyone. Also, it is not a big city so the easiest thing is to meet people in the centre or on campus itself. In my opinion it is an ideal environment for those who want to enjoy their Erasmus in a not so typical place.

Would you recommend the city and the University of Orleans to other students?

Yes, I would recommend it to those who are looking to go to a place which doesn't have continuous parties and for those who are thinking about a slightly different Erasmus experience to the typical one. I say this because Orleans is neither Paris, nor Barcelona, nor any other big city, it is quite quiet. Here there aren't parties every day and you can get to know the city in just one day. But it's not a bad thing if you want to get to know France better, learn French and have a good time but in a different way than the typical one. Also, being an hour away from Paris is the best, because if you want to do more things or go somewhere with a better nightlife you can go whenever you want. As far as the university is concerned, yes, I do recommend it because the study system is very good and not overwhelming. They do not force you to go to class if you don't take choose to do a dissertation, but for those who want to really improve their French it is a very good option.

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What is the food like there?

So good! Here you won't miss Spanish food as much as in other countries. The cheeses, the wine, the pastries, the cakes... You will not lack anything!

Was it difficult to find your accommodation in Orleans?

No, the university provided me with accommodation. I was able to choose between 4 residences (3 on campus and one in the city centre) and there was no difficulty with the formalities. But, if you are looking for a flat or other accommodation I understand that it is much more complicated.

How much does it cost to live in Orleans?

It depends on the person, but in general it is not as expensive as Paris. Excluding accommodation, you can live off a minimum of 200-300 euros per month.

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

I already came with some knowledge of French because I knew that all of my classes would be in French. In fact there aren't many classes in English at this university... So I didn't have much difficulty at first and I really improved a lot just by going to class. The university provides a general French course and a grammar course for Erasmus students (4ects) which is quite useful.

What's the easiest way to travel to Orleans from your city?

Orleans can be reached by car if you are willing to drive a minimum of 7 hours from Spain. But the most common way is to go by plane to Paris and from there take a train to Orleans. It is true that the journey is long, because once you arrive at Paris airport you have to take a bus or taxi to the Gare d'Austerlitz and from there a train to the centre of Orleans which takes an hour. And if then in Orleans you have to take the tram to get to the campus...it takes a long time. But it's what you have to do and in the end you get used to it.

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Orleans?

In Orleans most places are in the city centre on a street called Rue Bourgogne which is full of bars, restaurants and a couple of night clubs. There are only a few night clubs and the ones that there are are not very good... Rollo bars are more common here, (the Petite Barcelone is where all the Erasmus students go) until late, although the bars usually close at 2 o'clock and by 5 o'clock in the morning everything is already closed. But I would also recommend le Privée, le Pavillon and '80s Paxton. Although you can always go to Paris to spend a weekend there and take advantage of the good parties there.

Is it good to eat out in Orleans? Can you recommend some good restaurants?

In Orleans there are many good creperies, an Italian called Don Vittorio, the Chancellerie and many others where you can eat very well.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

The best of Orleans is the cathedral of Joan of Arc, the Martroi square and the house of Joan of Arc. It also has many small museums. It is a beautiful city with a lot of charm and, despite being small, it does not disappoint. In addition there are a lot of chateaux near the city which can be easily reached by train or bus, making it a great place to get to know France better, culturally.

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What advice would you give future students heading to Orleans?

Choose Orleans if you want your Erasmus experience to teach you many things. It won't be too big and it isn't a party capital, but it has a lot of atmosphere and there's a good international vibe so it is worth it. It's perfect for those who want to know France, learn French and have a great time at the same time.

Whether you live on campus or in the centre depends on your preference. The campus is 25 minutes by tram from the centre but it is not the best when you have to get home at night after a party. You either have to go home at 1 o'clock or wait until 5 o'clock and the taxi is usually expensive... So on the one hand, the centre is very good for those who want to live where there is more activity, but it is also a pain to get to campus and to class - you have to wake up at 7 in the morning or earlier if you start classes at 8.... On the other hand, the campus is great because you don't have to get up early and you're with most of the students, since there are a lot of residences and there won't be a day where you don't have something to do around there. However, there is nothing else on campus, and if you want to go out for a drink you have to take the tram to the city centre. Besides, the main neighborhood, next to the uni, leaves a lot to be desired...it's a little dangerous and there are strange people - as it gets dark it's better not to go out alone if you're a girl and you have to be careful... beyond the supermarket there's nowhere for students to go out. So, depending on your priorities, think carefully about where you want to live, access is not one of the city's strengths, but on campus you are in good company!