Carolina's Experience in Paris, France

Source

What attracts you to living in Paris? Do you recommend it? What is it like?

Living in Paris is a unique experience. Every single day there are new things to discover: maybe it's a new bar where the beer costs 3. 50€, a little alleyway, or a new piece of artwork in the Pompidou. I 100% recommend Paris as a destination for your exchange because it makes you explore each and every one of your senses; even those that you didn't know you had. It seemed like a lie but the city was at the point of being destroyed during the Second World War. Its streets are a mix of Romanticism, history and magic. The bakeries are like stepping out of a 1960s film; the bridges take us back to years gone by, and the millions of cafes with terraces (tables on the streets) are like immortal traditions, some of which we have ended up adopting for ourselves. And that's without talking about the thousand and one types and colours of sweet treats that you can buy at the "patisseries" (cake shops). Even so, the quality of life here is very high. Public transport is exceptional, above all the bicycle network where you can buy a season ticket for approximately 35€ a year. It's called Velib and there are stations across the whole of Paris. The metro is also very good and speedy, although I recommend taking the bus from time to time because the urban landscape is fantastic.

What is student life like in Paris?

It's a widely-chosen city among students for exchange placements. There are absolutely loads of internships and exchange programmes in the universities. Also, there are areas like the Latin Quarter that are known for being very much populated by students. There are a variety of bars and cafes with lower-priced menus for students. There are also several webpages, like the WeDiscover Facebook page or the application, MeetUp, which suggest weekend activities or night-time events.

How much does it cost to live in Paris?

To live in Paris, you will have to calculate expenses as being approximately between 500€ and 800€ a month, without the cost of rent included in this sum.

Source

Was it difficult to find accommodation in Paris? Can you give any advice?

Accommodation in Paris is a little bit difficult to find, but, with being a student, there are a couple of things to bear in mind when starting your search. First, there are several Facebook groups that are dedicated to people posting about their need to find accommodation or offers of temporary accommodation available to rent. The most common occurrence is that people rent a room in a shared apartment/flat. In other words, there will be common spaces that are shared amongst everyone living there (kitchen, bathroom) but each have their own bedroom. This concept is called cohabitation.

I feel the need to mention that it's easier to secure accommodation being a woman than a man. However, you can also search for accommodation through specific websites dedicated to this, which are really useful, and by going to churches (both English and American ones alike) where both offers of accommodation and jobs are published. Rent prices around some 500€ to 800€ a month; the further out you are from the centre of Paris, the cheaper your rent will be. Of course there are areas (like those close to the Eiffel Tower, for example, that value their rents higher than the neighbourhoods in the suburbs.

What is the food like in France? What are your favourite dishes?

Food in Paris is very healthy and varied. There is a lot of quality organic food production. In general, I choose salads that have a large amount of vegetables in them, but the baguettes from the bakeries are delicious, and it gets us into a bit of a predicament when making lunch. It's also important to note that the bread is always freshly-baked and is first class.

Soup is my biggest ally during the winter, and I love travelling around the city in search of little coffee shops where I can try their roast and a slice of banana or carrot cake. There are lots of these places and, sometimes, they are well-hidden.

I won't even start to talk about the French cheeses because they are marvellous. It's really impressive how you learn to live in another country and how you start adopting their traditions. When it comes to picnics, the French are experts. An occasion for everyone to meet in a park and enjoy some food together is one that is never missed.

Source

Which places do you recommend visiting in Paris?

I recommend going to the museum at the Centre Georges Pompidou and the Musée d'Orsay.

There is a really nice rooftop on 14 Rue Crespin du Gast, which I 100% recommend going to (in summer, of course, and during sunset at around 9pm) as it has a spectacular view of the Sacré Coer.

Also not to be missed is walking through the Place des Vosges and wandering around the historic district of Le Marais. Note: avoid going there during the weekend as it is extremely crowded.

And eating out in Paris? Can you name your favourite places?

• Buns - the best burger place that I have tried. It's two blocks from Le Jardin du Luxembourg. It's practically an offense not to buy your food and then go then to eat it by the fountain.
• Coutume - a café that sells the best cheesecake. It's also suitable for celiacs.
• Le Souffle - it's a little bit expensive, but the experience of going there makes it worth the money. As it name states, you can eat both sweet and savoury souffles there.

Source

Which places do you recommend for nightlife in Paris?

Café Oz is always a good idea. Above all, I recommend going to Rivoli, where there is a party specifically for students every Wednesday.

La Rue Princesse in the St Germain de Pres neighbourhood is completely full of bars and places to dance. In a three-block radius, you can go from one bar to another and find many people also rotating between them.

There is a nightclub close to the Ópera called Jangal, which I also recommend. It's a little bit small, but you will always have a good time there.

During the summer, it's very common for Faust (Pont Alexandre III) to open its terrace, which has great views of the Seine. There is a really good atmosphere if you go with friends after 7pm.

Is there any advice that you want to give to future students in Paris?

I wish that I could give you all more advice, but here it is truly worth losing yourself (in every sense of the word) in order to find yourself again. It's a city that makes you question who you are and where you are going [in life] every single day. Its bridges, its little irregular streets and its romantic accent are going to seduce you. Let them.

Source