Experience in Paris, France by Jeanne

What is it like to live in Paris? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Paris is a very big city and each district has its own charm. For me there's not one Paris but a lot of them. There are so many things to see, to visit and to do. Movies, concerts, sport, parties, museums, history... I would recommend it 100%. But be careful, Paris is a very expensive city, you need to look for the best quality/ price rate.

What is the student lifestyle like in Paris?

There are a lot of pubs for students, there are a lot of organized parties in nightclub and if you are in a big university, there will be so many events. Being a student in Paris won't be boring.

How much does it cost to live in Paris?

I would say, if you want a decent apartment, in a not so bad neighborhood, you will need between 500€ and 800€ a month. You need to add to this the food which is between 300 and 400 a month. And then you add the rest: going outs, restaurants, parties...

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

You can try to rent a room in an university campus or you can try to find what we call a maid's room.

It's the same as in every big cities, it's not easy but it's not impossible.

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

The food is amazing if you're going to the right places. Everything depends on how much you want to spend and what you want to eat. My favorite dishes to eat when I'm on the go, for example, if I have class in 1 hour, is Chinese food or a mixed hot sandwich (ham & cheese).

What places would you recommend visiting in Paris?

I would recommend the Louvre of course, the Champs Elysées, the Eiffel Tower for tourists. But for students I would recommend these metro stations where you can find a lot of pubs and nice and cheap restaurants as the Parmentier/Oberkampf, Place Monge (Rue Mouffetard), Bastille (Rue de Lappe). I would also recommend visiting the Quartier Latin, le Marais... And for shopping I'd suggest Rue de Rivoli and les Halles.

Is it good to eat out in Paris? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Yes, it is nice. I can recommend a hamburger restaurant called Paris New York in Rue du Faubourg Saint Denis, a Jappanese buffet in Rue Descartes, a Chinese restaurant called Imperial Choisy in Avenue de Choisy, or any Vietnamien restaurant in the Chinese district. And I would recommend any big Brasserie of Paris.

Is the nightlife good in Paris? Where is good to go?

It's good to go in Rue Mouffetard, Rue de Lappe, Oberkampf and during the spring/summer Quai de seine de Jussieu.

What advice would you give future students heading to Paris?

Enjoy!