Experience in Paris, France by Gabriele

What's living in Paris like? Do you recommend it? How is the city?

Super, marvellous... yeah, I completely recommend it. It's full of architecture, history, as well as activities to do in your spare time. For students/university students or high schoolers it's perfect, as you have the option to go to the cinema and simply show your 'student card' or 'school certificate' to take advantage of discounts. You can get into Paris's most important monuments for free, but only on the first Sunday of each month!

Paris, France

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How is student life in Paris?

It's very inspiring and challenging. There are loads of events and student protests.

University Panthéon-Sorbonne

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What is the cost of living like in Paris?

It's a bit expensive, unfortunately!... But it depends on you too!... as do all things in life! For example, if you search for and (undoubtedly) find a job during your university studies, but go out every evening or decide to rent a room, studio or apartment close by to Panthèon (5th district) or near to Notre-Dame etc... you won't have a lot of money left over for food shopping or grabbing a pizza from time to time. It's better to rent a room in the 11th, 12th, 13th, 18th and 20th districts of Paris as the cost of living there is cheaper.

It's better to rent a room in the 11th, 12th, 13th, 18th and 20th districts

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Is it difficult to find accommodation in Paris? Do you have any advice you can give?

Without a doubt... start looking for accommodation in advance! There are loads of sites online, such as Bail, Crous Paris, Ciup or the housing agency LODGIS.

The advice I'd give to you is to go to the 'LLP/Erasmus' office in your host university and ask for advice from your Erasmus mentor... or go to ex-Erasmus students.

How's the city's food? What are your favourite dishes?

Not bad! My favourite dishes were the cakes (macarons, pain au chocolate, etc... ), baguettes and other traditional cakes from France. The pizza isn't bad, some French wines and cheese (brie, for example).

Pastries and cakes in Paris

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What places do you recommend visiting in Paris?

You have to see all of Paris! But this takes a lot of time and many days!

A word of advice: the 5th district (Mouffetard street, the Grand Mosque of Paris, the botanic garden, the natural history museum, the institute of the Arabic world), the Luxembourg garden, Notre-Dame, the city hall, the national library of France - the François Mitterrand one.

The national library of France

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The Luxembourg garden

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What about eating out in Paris? Can you tell us your favourite places?

The Greek places are great, as you can eat all different types of sandwiches, kebabs, pizza. The Thai, Japanese, Moroccan, Algerian, etc., restaurants are also really good (found in the 11th-18th districts).

What places do you recommend going to in Paris?

Near Invalides, the Orsay Museum, along the Seine near Notre Dame, on the Champs de Mars lawn / Eiffel Tower or in front of the Basilica du Sacré-Coeur of Montmartre for a picnic.

Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre

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Do you have any advice you'd like to give to students coming to Paris for their Erasmus?

Take advantage of the "City of Light" but also study, because the French university system is difficult! You'll have to prepare presentations, write essays or write-up short summaries of books (given by the teacher) during classes. Most university exams are written in France. But check with your home university and the foreign / host university before you leave and throughout your stay abroad!

Students in Paris

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