Todays piece will be about one of the few student residences that can be found around Reims. I was able to reserve a place here through my university. This residence houses many students from all around the world, this also includes local students. However, there are also regular people living in this place. To get to this place you’ll have to find Rue Gerard philipe. To get here from the train station you’ll either have to take a taxi, which will cost about ten euros, or grab a bus card and take two buses which will then drop you off a few minutes walk from the residence.
(Source: https://www.bonjourlafrance.com/stations/train/reims/)
(Source:https://log-etudiant.com/logements-etudiants/residence-etudiante-crous-gerard-philipe-reims/)
I personally picked the former option as I had all my luggage to carry with me. The residence from the exterior looked like a large block with multiple windows. They have a car park and a section where you can park all your bikes. Right outside they also have several large bins where you can drop off your trash. The whole block is closed behind a green steel fence. Upon entering, you will have the reception area in front of you. The closed-in desks in front of you will be where security is stationed. Here, you’ll have a 24/7 service in case anything were to happen such as forgetting your key in your room or any other room related issues.
On your right you will have the main lounge area. Just upon entering you will have a section divided from the reception where all your mail would be kept. Everybody will be given their own box. The lobby area is pretty large. There are several tables strewn all around. You will also have a billiards table and a ping pong table for your convenience. They also have several sofas where you can relax with mates. Often throughout the semester there will be events held here. From dress up parties to playstation tournaments. This room is predominantly used for studying. You’re allowed to eat in this room so pizzas tend to dominate the smell of the atmosphere. However, it is against the rules to drink alcohol in this room.
Now, if you go to the let from the security guard area then you will also have another section divided for letter boxes on your left. If you keep going straight you’ll have an elevator and stairs that will take you to the bedrooms above on your right. On your left you’ll have some vending machines if you’re desperate for a quick snack. There is also the administrative part of Gerard philipe in a room to your left. If you need anything printed, signed or dealt with concerning your room then you head into here and talk to the polite receptionists.
If you keep going straight ahead then you will have a hallway with a few rooms ahead. One of these rooms is a quiet study area. This small room is often filled with hardcore study enthusiasts as the main lounge area gets noisy at times. There is also the public bathroom located for anybody to use in this area.
Gerard philipe has seven different levels. All these levels are filled with many rooms. Each floor has its own kitchen area that provides four electric coils to cook on. They also have a microwave on each floor to heat up your meals. Lastly, each kitchen provides a large table with benches that are able to fit in around ten people. The kitchens located on the top floor afford a spectacular view of the surrounding area. Lastly, let's talk about the rooms.
Firstly, this residence predominantly offers single bed rooms. These rooms are 9m2 but include your shower and sink. They also offer a large desk and a big wardrobe to store all your stuff. The room is fitted with a heater and two large windows with blinds. Under the bed there are two pull-out storage areas. From here you can store all your valuables.
(Source:https://www.lokaviz.fr/logement-crous/annuaire-des-residences-crous/residences-crous/residence-crous-residence-gerard-philipe-51-reims/residence_id:558/n:223)
This place has been an exciting place to live in. Its usefulness of only being a short ten minute walk from the University of Sciences Po makes it a convenient spot to live in. The price of the place is also pretty affordable. It stands at 250 euros per month with all bills included in the price. The deposit is about 245 euros which is also pretty cheap. You can ask to rent sheets and a blanket for 30 euros for the whole semester. It is a very budget friendly accommodation where you will find many fellow exchange students staying.
I recall how back when I was staying there I would often host dinners in the kitchen where you can fit quite a few people. Although, the bigger parties are the pre-drinking parties. At the beginning of the semester I would invite the whole exchange group to the kitchen of the place. Often you would have a few dozen people fitting into the kitchen. You couldn’t smoke within the building although you’re allowed to smoke right outside. So often enough we would migrate to the front of the residence to drink (as it is legal to drink in public within Reims) and smoke (for those who enjoy smoking). From there we would often walk to wherever the party or bar of the night was stationed at. I would highly recommend checking into this place if you’re looking for a budget accommodation during your exchange in Reims city.
(Source:https://www.google.es/maps/@49.2463446,4.0485721,3a,75y,244.09h,95.91t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1soIyJNehvJFgNGLsvOONOCA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DoIyJNehvJFgNGLsvOONOCA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D137.29214%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656)
