Blessed with scenic beauty, staggering architecture and home to some of the world’s most revered artists, designers, writers and thinkers, Paris is one of the most alluring destinations for students looking to study abroad.

If you’re ready to pack your bags and head to Paris, Student.com is a great place to find student accommodation. We offer a wide range of options for student housing in Paris, from luxurious city center apartments to more affordable options in the suburbs. 

The universities of Paris 

Paris is home to many of the best universities in France and consistently ranks among the top student cities globally. Few cities have such a range of world-leading institutions, with plenty of options for students looking to a secure an elite education. 

Sorbonne University 

One of the highest rated universities in France and a top institution globally, Sorbonne University is a standout choice for students with their hearts on Paris. The university is based in the city center, putting students within easy reach of Paris’ top attractions.

Sorbonne University is an interdisciplinary institution with courses ranging from humanities and medicine to science and engineering. It's renowned for its vibrant campus life and research output.

The university has a community of more than 50,000 students, including around 10,000 international students. Many choose to live in the Latin Quarter – the area surrounding the university – which is one of the main hotspots for student accommodation in Paris.

Sounds like your kind of university? Check out our student accommodation options at Sorbonne University.

HEC Paris

Founded in 1881, HEC Paris is widely recognized as one the world’s leading business schools, with a long-standing reputation for producing leaders, entrepreneurs and chief executives for some of the biggest global corporations.

The school is located in the picturesque town of Jouy-en-Josas in the southwestern suburbs of Paris – a quieter setting than the city center with plenty of green space and nearby walking routes for hikers, bike riders and nature lovers to enjoy.

Courses at HEC Paris are designed to prepare students for the global business environment, with plenty of opportunities for hands-on learning through internships. The school is also known for its vibrant international student community, particularly with the highly popular MBA program.

Ready to enroll and looking for a place to stay? Take a look at our student housing for HEC Paris. 

École Polytechnique

École Polytechnique, also known as L'X, is one of Europe’s most prestigious engineering schools and one of the top small universities in the world. Established in 1794, it offers a multidisciplinary curriculum with a focus on physics, mathematics, economics and computer science.

The school is based in Palaiseau in the southern suburbs of Paris and has a beautiful self-contained campus with lots of activities to keep students occupied. There’s also a train station right outside the campus operating regular services to the city center for those wanting to visit the big city.

With a student population of around 4,000, École Polytechnique is known for its selective admissions process but is among the most highly sought after engineering universities in the world, owing to its reputation for scientific and technical excellence.

If you’re interested in the school, we offer a range of options for student accommodation at École Polytechnique. 

Sciences Po 

Sciences Po, also known as the Paris Institute of Political Studies, is an elite university specializing in the social and political sciences. Offering a multidisciplinary program integrating politics, law, history and economics, the institution prides itself on developing the next generation of political leaders.

The university is situated in the heart of the French capital, in the iconic neighborhood of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, putting students within easy reach of some of the best student housing in Paris and many of the city’s main attractions.

For a closer look at accommodation options, check out our full list of student residences for Sciences Po.

Panthéon-Sorbonne University 

Panthéon-Sorbonne University, also known as Paris 1, is a leading multidisciplinary university offering a range of programs in fields such as law, economics, social sciences and the humanities.

The university has multiple sites spread across Paris, with the main campus based in the Latin Quarter. With other universities also nearby, this area is very popular for student accommodation.

Interested in studying at the university? Browse our student accommodation options for Panthéon-Sorbonne University. 

Things to do in Paris

For students moving to Paris, there's a lot more to see than the world-famous Eiffel Tower. The so-called 'City of Love’ easily captivates with its stylish boutiques and haute couture, offering a rich melting pot of history, culture, fashion and food. 

Arts & culture

Paris is filled with several instantly recognizable iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the National Museum of Modern Art, the Musée d'Orsay, the Center Georges Pompidou and the Louvre, where you can see one of the most emblematic portraits in the history of art: the Mona Lisa.

With a rich history dating back approximately 2,000 years, this bohemian city has an endless variety of art and science museums, galleries, monuments and exhibitions for students to take in on their days off.

Diversity and multiculturalism are huge draws for the French capital, with the city a true hodgepodge of languages, cultures and styles. A Japanese neighborhood is in close vicinity to the National Opera, the Indian and African communities share the same area and some of the best French crêpes in the city are made by Greek immigrants.

Nightlife 

Party-goers keen to explore the nightlife of the ‘City of Light’ can dance the night away to an eclectic mix of contemporary music at Chez Moune. The veneered La Java, housed in a stunning Art Deco building, provides a throwback to the vintage days of Edith Piaf coupled with a mix of international sounds.

For a more relaxed experience, students can spend their leisure time with friends at a café, or by having a beer in Canal Saint-Martin or coffee at Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Alternatively, why not stroll into one of those art-house cinemas tucked into a narrow alleyway? 

Food & drink 

If you want to sample Paris’s tantalizing local or foreign cuisine, the whopping 8,000 restaurants will cater to your every need. The capital is flooded with bars, cafes and restaurants of all styles, providing a delicious blend of cultures and flavors from all over the world.

Dive into one of the city’s many bistros for home-style dishes like steak frites or onion soup, paired with a glass of wine. Brasseries offer a more formal setting with traditional charm to enjoy favorites like croque monsieur.

The best student areas in Paris 

Paris is divided into 20 administrative districts or arrondissements. From the iconic landmarks of the 1st to the suburban bohemia of the 18th, each arrondissement has its own charms and reveals a different side of the city.

Latin Quarter 

Paris’ Latin Quarter, also known as Panthéon, makes up the 5th arrondissement and is one of the most popular student neighborhoods. The area is known for its historic charm and has plenty of pubs, bars, bookshops and cafes to keep students occupied.

Home to Sorbonne University and Panthéon-Sorbonne University, as well as other leading institutions like École Normale Supérieure and the Paris School of Economics, the Latin Quarter is one of the main hubs for student accommodation in Paris. 

Oberkampf 

With its youthful, cosmopolitan energy, Oberkampf in the 11th arrondissement is another popular area for students. This neighborhood is located north of the River Seine but is still central, nestled between the bustling districts of Bastille and Republique.

Oberkampf is known mostly for its nightlife and has plenty of options for partygoers. Whether it’s live music, big bar crawls or all-night raves, there’s always something going on in the evenings, no matter the day of the week. 

Belleville 

If you’re looking for cheap student accommodation in Paris, the leafy suburb of Belleville in the 20th arrondissement is a great option. Excellent transport links mean students can still reach the likes of Sorbonne University and Sciences Po within 30 minutes.

Belleville is known as a cultural melting pot, making it a great place to sample different cuisines from North Africa, Vietnam and the Middle East. It’s also home to a large Chinese community and has its own Chinatown. 

Public transport in Paris 

Paris is a relatively compact city with a sophisticated public transportation system, but for newcomers, navigating the French capital can be daunting. Luckily, there are several options for getting from your student home to your university campus, as well as everywhere in between.

Metro 

For locals and international students alike, the metro is generally the preferred mode of transport when travelling within Paris’ central areas. Fast and economical, the metro system has 16 lines and over 300 stations with services running regularly throughout the day.

On weekdays, metro lines operate from 5.30am until 1.15am, while on Friday and Saturday nights they run an extended service through to 2.15am — good news for those who like to go out at weekends! 

Bus 

Alongside the metro system, Paris has an extensive bus network offering students another way to travel cheaply. There are over 60 routes across the city, covering all the central areas and most of the suburbs.

For partygoing students needing to get home after the metro has closed, Noctillen night bus lines operate from 12:30 am to about 5:30am, allowing you to travel at any hour. 

Tram 

The Paris tram network has more than a dozen lines connecting the outer districts with the city’s central areas. It’s great for students travelling into the city from the suburbs and provides an alternative to the metro during rush hour.

One of the best things about the tram network is that it’s integrated with the metro and bus systems, meaning students can often transfer from one service to another within the same station. 

Top tips for students living in Paris 

The iconic European capital attracts thousands of students from around the world every year. But the cost of living in Paris can sometimes be a challenge for students living on a budget. Here are some tips on getting the best out of Paris without spending excessive amounts of money.

Eating out for less 

Despite the high overall cost of living in Paris, students can live on a budget by taking advantage of French government programs and the many other student deals for meals, transportation and cultural attractions.

Through CROUS, a public establishment of the French Ministry of Education, students can enjoy a three-course meal at specific restaurants and university cafeterias dotted across the city for as little as €3.10. 

Sightseeing passes

Students can make use of discounts and free entry when sightseeing. Most French museums and monuments are owned by the government and offer free admission to students. For example, you can often visit the Louvre for free on the first Friday of every month after 6pm.

With a Paris Museum Pass, you can access over 50 sites around the city. The more comprehensive Paris Pass is also worth looking into, as it provides access to over 90 attractions and offers discounts on public transport. 

Discounts on travel 

If you’re a university student under the age of 26, you can get a Carte Imagine R, which gives you unlimited travel on public transportation anywhere in the Ile-de-France region. The pass is valid for one year and currently costs €374.40.

If you’re planning a day trip away from Paris, tickets on the national train system, SNCF, can be quite pricey. To save money on train travel, you can get a Carte Jeune, which lets young people buy train tickets at a discounted price. 

Frequently asked questions 

How do I apply for a student residence in Paris? 

Found your dream student home in Paris? Applying for the lease with Student.com is simple:

1. Choose your room – browse our properties and find a place that suits your needs. Our team of experts are on hand if you need some help!  
2. Request to book – let us know which property you are interested in & our booking consultants will guide you through the next steps. 
3. Sign your contract – once your contract is signed you will pay your rent. Student.com does not charge you anything for our booking service: you’ll only need to pay the rent to your chosen landlord.

Learn more about how the booking process works here. 

What types of student housing do you offer in Paris?

The student residences we list in Paris have three different types of rooms:

• Shared Room: Two or more people sleeping in separate beds in the same room. The living room, kitchen, and bathroom are all shared with other rooms. 
• Private Room: Additional facilities are also shared with other rooms but you’ll have a private bedroom. In some properties you can also have private rooms with a private bathroom. 
• Entire Place: This is a fully self-contained property. This means you don’t have to share with anyone. Your bedroom, as well as living, cooking and bathing facilities, are exclusively for you.

Is it safe to rent private student apartments in Paris?

Student.com has a very strict vetting process. To ensure all residences we have listed in Paris are safe to use, we carefully vet all the landlords we feature. Therefore, we only list properties from trusted student accommodation providers. 

Can I see the residence before I move in? 

Yes. If you feel you’ve found your new student home but would like to see the property before you move in, just contact us on the phone or via live chat and our booking consultants will be happy to arrange a viewing for you. 

How can I find student accommodation in Paris? 

If you’re looking for student accommodation in Paris, using a platform like Student.com which collates properties from different accommodation providers is a great place to start. Here, you’ll be able to see a range of different options, which will help you build a better understanding of what you’re looking for.

Where are the best places to live in Paris as a student?

As Paris’ main university hub, the Latin Quarter is an obvious choice for students in search of accommodation in the French capital. Belleville, a vibrant suburb in the northeast of the city, is a great option for those looking for cheaper student housing.

What are the visa requirements for international students in Paris?

There are a number of different visa options for international students considering Paris for university. For stays between four months and a year, students will need to apply for a VLS-TS student visa. This is only the case for non-EU/EEA nationals, as EU/EEA nationals can study in France without a visa.