Experience in Paris, France by Saskia

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

the city is very crowded (with a lot of tourists ), noisy, dirty and quite poluted but the atmosphere (small street, cafés, open air markets, smal parks) is cheerful, the buildings are beautyfull and there is a lot of museums, concerts and events of any kind all the time.
each neigborood has a different style and atmosphere...

What is the student lifestyle like in Paris?

there are a lot of student pubs (affordable) but clubs and more "fancy bars" and restaurants are expensive. most people party with their friends rather than with classmates. and since housing is very expensive most of the students go to bars (or buy drinks and drink in public garden when possible) rather than going to someone place to party.

How much does it cost to live in Paris?

housing: 600 to 700 euros for 10 to 20 square meters, usually water and city taxes included but not internet and electricity.
cheapest beers are 3 euros the pint during happy hour at student pubs (usual price out of student neigborhood and happy hours are around ten euros for most drinks)
smal groceries shop (all you can find in center paris) sell food at quite expensive price (3 to 5 euros for a kilogram of basic pasta, 15 to 20 euros for a kilogram of basic meat/fish or chiken)
transportation is expensive as well even with student discount (only available on monly? and yearly pass)

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

not so dificult but it is difficult to find a good one/ cheap one. there is very different stuf on the renting market from dirty, under the roof 9 meter square room with no kitchen shared toilets no heating system to "normal" studios and appartment

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

food is tasty uses butter, cream, cheese, vine, garlic and onions. a lot of white bread (baguette and many other kinds) as well as meats slowly cooked in sauce (like boeuf bourgignon or carbonade flamande) and charcuterie (sausages, dry saussages, ham, smoked ham...).

What places would you recommend visiting in Paris?

the churches (most of them are free to enter) like notre dame, sacré coeur, sainte chapelle, panthéon...
most public museum (louvre, musé d'orsay, invalides, centre pompidou...) are free at least for eu citizens under 26 years old.
the banks of the seine are a realy nice place to walk and you can see many of the nice old monuments from there (notre dame, mairie de paris, ile saint louis, conciererie, bridges...)

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

yes it is good. restaurant "le temp des cerises" in the 13th arondisement is very authentic , cheerfull and not expensive.

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

there are many clubs

What advice would you give future students headed to Paris?

to learn some french before comming because university usualy dispense courses in french only and french are not so good at / willing to speak english (and other foreign languages).
if you want to meet french people you can join one of the sports/art... teams of your university