Off-Campus Accommodation
ESSEC does not provide off-campus accommodation. However, here is a list of websites that will help you with your search:
Finding a place in Paris is not easy, especially on a “student” budget. A cheaper option is to share an apartment with other students or ask for a place at the “Cité Universitaire Internationale”, South of Paris in the 14th district. The CUI hosts about 5 000 students from all over the world. Take note that there is a big rush to get in and that you will spend a long time on the train each day since it is located quite far away from Cergy.
Here is a map of the 20 "arrondissements" (districts) of Paris. We advise students to live close to one of the RER A stops in order to minimize the commuting time to Cergy (large red line going accross the city) and if possible, stay on the western part of the city.
What you need to know when looking for housing
Be very careful when booking an apartment and try, as much as possible not to pay any money before seeing the place.
If you choose to find housing with a real estate agency, bear in mind that they ask for an agency fee.
In addition to the first month’s rent, you will have to give a security deposit ("dépôt de garantie") usually equivalent to 2 months of rent. This deposit will be returned to you when you leave, provided that you hand over the apartment in good condition. In the event that repairs are required, the cost of repairs will be deducted from your deposit. Caution! The amount of the security deposit will be debited from your account. You must therefore ensure that there are enough funds in your account.
You will often need to have a person acting as guarantor ("caution") for the payment of your rent in case you do not pay for it yourself. Usually that person must be in France.
If you don't have a guarantor, other options are available through the VISALE scheme, a free rental deposit if you rent an apartment in the private sector.
Ask if your rent includes the operating costs (heating, hot water, elevator, waste, etc.). You should budget electricity and phone bills separately. If you do not have central heating, you should include that in your electricity bill as well.
How to read an advertisement
CC or TCC = “Charges comprises” or "Toutes charges comprises" meaning operating costs are included in the rent
T1, T2, T3, T4, etc. or F1, F2, F3, F4, etc. = the number after the T or F indicates the number of rooms (for instance, a T2 or F2 has 2 rooms)
m2 = the surface area in square meters
ET = “étage” (floor)
RDC = “rez de chaussée” (ground floor)
ASC = “ascenseur” (elevator)
SDB = “salle de bains” (bathrooms - sometimes it is a shower and in that case it is indicated as "salle d'eau")
KITCH : kitchenette with sink, hot plates and a mini-fridge all located in the room
Estimate cost for a place in Paris
Studette (small room of about 10-12 m²): between 250 and 400 €
Studio (room between 18 and 30 m²): between 500€ and 800€
1-bedroom apartment: 800-1 200€
Prices vary a lot depending on the area. The most expensive districts are the ones in the center of Paris.
When to pay the rent ("le loyer")
The rent may be paid in advance, at the beginning or at the end of the month. You can pay your rent either by monthly automatic debit or by check if you have a French bank account. Most of the time you’ll be asked to fill out an authorization form for automatic debit from your French bank account. All these details will be explained by the owner of the apartment.
This information is provided by ESSEC to help international students find appropriate housing, should they choose not to live in an ESSEC student residence. Under any circumstances the school can be held responsible for inaccuracies on the web sites listed nor can it be responsible for housing-related issues that students could face.