accomodation, living costs & practical tips

Accomodation

You have the option to find accommodation near the Strate campus in Meudon or Sèvres, both conveniently located on the outskirts of Paris, or you can choose to live in Paris itself. Here, you'll find recommendations for various Parisian neighborhoods. 

⚠️ Important: 

The move-in inspection is essential to avoid any disputes when moving out. We strongly recommend taking photos, checking every detail carefully, and reporting any existing issues immediately. This document will serve as an important reference for the recovery of your security deposit at the end of your lease. A move-out inspection should also always be carried out to help ensure the return of your security deposit. 

If you wish to terminate your lease early, please make sure to notify your landlord in writing, either by email or by registered letter.  We strongly recommend sending a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt, as this provides proof that your landlord has received your notice and has been informed of your departure. You may also deliver the notice in person, provided you obtain a signed receipt confirming that the notice has been received.

Here are a few accommodation options we suggest:

• Studapart is a partner of Strate, assisting our exchange students in finding accommodation. Below, you will find instructions on how to apply for an apartment through this agency. Studapart can act as your guarantor for a rental in the Paris area for a fee. A guarantor is a person residing in France who guarantees your rental payments. If you are having trouble renting a place in France because you don't have a guarantor, please consider renting through Studapart. More information can be found at the bottom of this page. You can find here some useful tips about renting in Paris.

• Studea offers relatively inexpensive student accommodation very close to Strate. While it can be challenging to secure a spot, it's worth trying! Below, you will find instructions on how to apply for an apartment through this organization. More information can be found at the bottom of this page. 

• Additionally, we have a partnership with https://erasmusplay.com/en/, which is a search engine for exchange students offering accommodations in the Paris region. More information can be found at the bottom of this page. 

• The Erasmus Student Network (ESN), and Feelfrançais platforms also provide student accommodation options and a range of services for international students, as well as recommendations on where to live in Paris and useful information about renting and housing conditions.

• Residence on the Strate Campus (Résidence Sevrèsetudes) . There is a very small residence on our campus with very few places. Please contact sevretudes27@gmail.com or phloubens@gmail.com  (in French)  for further information.  Please note that, in order to access this residence, you are required to apply for French student housing assistance (Aide Personnalisée au Logement APL) through the CAF (Caisse d'Allocations Familiales). Information on eligibility and applications can be made directly on the CAF website.

• Other students residences in Paris and greater Paris : 

  • • https://www.twenty-campus.com/fr/residences/ 

    • https://www.studelites.com/fr/residences/paris-ile-de-france

    • https://www.estudines.com/logement-etudiant-paris-ile-de-france/asnieres-sur-seine

    • https://www.uxco.com/fr/logement-etudiant/paris/

    • https://www.ecla.com/en/stay-offer/paris/

    • https://www.arpej.fr/en/our-residences/?iam=students

    • https://www.fac-habitat.com/en/student-residences/ville-37-paris

These residences are accessible to exchange students.

RENT GUARANTOR

When renting an apartment in France, you will often be asked for a French guarantor ("garant/caution de location"). Under certain conditions, you may qualify for a guarantee ("caution") from the French state. For more information and to check your eligibility, please visit Visale : https://www.visale.fr/. 

Alternatively, you can use services like Studapart or other agencies that offer guarantor services for a fee.

LIVING COSTS

Living in the City of Lights can be quite expensive. For the latest information on living costs for students in Paris and other parts of France, please click here  for details from Campus France.

Other helpful information

Calling in France:

If you are from the EU, you won't need to change your SIM card. However, if you are not from the EU and are an exchange student, you can purchase a prepaid SIM card either before your arrival or during your stay from one of the main providers in France, such as Free, Orange or Bouygues Telecom (please find some tips in this article).