Before coming to Bordeaux from India

Before moving to Bordeaux, make sure you have the following:

• Valid passport

• Obtain the correct French visa (student, work, family, visitor)

• Arrange temporary accommodation for the first few weeks

• Employment contract or university admission letter

• Flight tickets and train tickets to Bordeaux

• Vaccination records

• Forex card during the initial days

• Birth certificate, marriage certificate

• Diplomas and transcripts

• Purchase travel health insurance

• Prepare passport-sized photos as per French standards

• A reference letter from your bank

• Driving license (optional, but useful)

Keep digital and printed copies of all documents. These steps will make your arrival and administrative processes smoother.

Apostilled birth certificates 

Birth certificate in English, which needs to be Apostilled. Make sure the following data matches the one in your passport. Upload ASAP to Adele

• Your name

• Your parent’s names

• Your date of birth

• Your city of birth

Procedure: https://www.mea.gov.in/apostille-menu.htm 

Why does it need to be apostilled? It is a way to authenticate and legalise documents. An apostille is a stamp affixed to a document to certify that it was issued by the state in question. If you are asked for an apostille on your birth certificate, it must be issued in the country of origin.

Translation of birth certificates

Many administrative procedures require certified French translations of birth certificates from authorised translators (traduction assermentée).

Website: https://www.annuaire-traducteur-assermente.fr/fr/3/annuaire-traduction-assermentee.html 

Planning your bags/luggage

• Documents

• Medicines

• Personal Items

• Toiletries

• Basic utensils

• Food (Spices, Ready-to-Eat packets)

• Regular Clothing

• Winter clothing

• Thermal innerwear

• Socks and undergarments 

• Headwear

• Jackets, windcheaters, Coats (either from India or you can buy in Bordeaux as well)

• Rainwear/umbrella

• Electronics / Tech: Extra pair of earphones, backup mobile phones for emergencies/Indian SIM, chargers, adapters)

• Christmas Gifts

• Smaller backpacks for travel

Immediately after arriving in Bordeaux

Within the first few days, you should:

• Secure permanent accommodation

• Validate your visa or residence permit

• Open a French bank account

• Apply for Social Security

• Register for CAF benefits if eligible

• Get a French SIM card

• Register children in school if applicable

Validate your French visa

Most long-stay visas (VLS-TS) must be validated online via the official government portal. This procedure is mandatory to stay in France for more than 3 months. Failure to validate may cause issues with healthcare, housing, or renewals.

Websites: https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/R52684

https://administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr/particuliers/#/ 

You can check the steps to validate your VLS-TS over here: https://www.campusfrance.org/en/how-to-validate-your-long-stay-visa-visa-long-sejour-upon-your-arrival-in-france 

Support system

Indians In Bordeaux Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/indiansinbordeaux/ 

Indians In Bordeaux Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/groups/indians.in.bordeaux/ 

Indians In Bordeaux WhatsApp account: https://chat.whatsapp.com/FjXQCAWP54K43bvetWJ9Sj 

Language classes by Indians In Bordeaux. It is important to learn the language to understand the culture and better integrate yourself. It is always useful to navigate through different administrative processes. The university also sends an email to register for language classes, which they organise at a nominal fee based on your proficiency level. It starts in September. Look out for updates on their website.

ACCOMMODATION

Finding accommodation in Bordeaux (Students)

Students can explore:

• CROUS student residences

• University housing services

• Private student residences

• Shared apartments (colocation)

• Estudines

Always be wary of scams, and never transfer money before signing a contract.

Finding accommodation in Bordeaux (Working professionals & families)

Working professionals and families typically rent:

• Apartments (T1 to T4)

• Houses in the suburbs around Bordeaux

• Foyer de jeunes travailleurs

Websites useful for searching for accommodation

General rental websites

1. Leboncoin : https://www.leboncoin.fr/ 

2. Seloger : https://www.seloger.com/ 

3. Bien ici : https://www.bienici.com/ 

Room sharing (colocations)

1. La Carte des Colocs : https://www.lacartedescolocs.fr/ 

2. Appartager : https://www.appartager.com/ 

Student Accommodation in Bordeaux

1. Crous Bordeaux : https://www.crous-bordeaux.fr/se-loger/ 

2. Studapart: https://www.studapart.com/en/student-accommodation-bordeaux 

3. Adele: https://www.adele.org/en/residence/urbanarea/bordeaux/student-housing 

4. Study'O : https://www.studyoresidences.fr/en 

Besides this, you can join local groups on Facebook, though you'll have to be careful about scams.

For more information: https://www.u-bordeaux.fr/en/campus/daily-life/finding-accommodation 

Housing assistance (CAF)

You may be eligible for CAF housing benefits (APL) once you have:

• A valid residence permit

• Rental contract

• French bank account

To apply: https://www.caf.fr/allocataires/aides-et-demarches 

Documents required for renting an apartment

Documents usually required:

• Proof of income or contract

• ID and visa

• Guarantor (sometimes)

• Rental deposit

TRANSPORT

HEALTHCARE

France has a public healthcare system funded by Social Security. Once registered, most medical expenses are reimbursed partially or fully.

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

Banking