Paris

Accommodation

Finding accommodation in Paris can be very difficult and expensive. It is definitely a good idea to try and sort this out before going to Paris. It is unlikely that you will be able to get university accommodation but it is worth trying. You are more likely to be successful if you enquire in the June/July before you go, as the majority of students applying will be wanting a full year’s accommodation.

The hospital is in the 13th arrondissement. However, Paris is relatively small, and the metro is very efficient, so you do not necessarily need to try and find accommodation near to the 13th.

Many estate agents ask for a finder’s fee before showing you any accommodation, from our experience these have not been useful and we do not recommend them.

Here are some useful resources to try:

• Bristol Erasmus office
• Cité Universitaire
• CNOUS website
• American church (Quai Branly)- this has a notice board with accommodation listings
• FUSAC- a magazine for English-speaking resources and contacts. These are free, available in many bars and shops.

CAF

CAF is the Caisse d’Allocations Familiales. This a state run organisation which gives grants to students to help pay for accommodation. You can receive this if you are renting accommodation, i.e. not for the Cité Universitaire. It is approximately 100 E per month, so is highly worth applying for even though the process may take a long time!

Before you apply you need to set up a bank or postal account, into which to receive the CAF (see section on accounts). You can then apply online at www.caf.fr. Your landlord will need to fill in part of the forms to confirm residency. French landlords will be quite used to this.

The process may take a few months to complete, but keep pursuing it because it will come through in the end!

Bank and Postal Accounts

It is worth while having a French account merely so you do not have to pay a charge for using your debit card. These can sometimes be as high as £3 a withdrawal! Make sure you find out beforehand, how much your bank charges. To receive CAF, you also need to have an account.

Most students have postal accounts. A post office account is the same as a bank account. You will receive a debit card and the account works just like a bank account. They can be set up at any main post office and are relatively easy to do. You do need quite a few documents including your passport, contract, prove of address and a letter from the landlord. A minimum of 50 E needs to be deposited on starting the account.

Bank accounts can be set up at any French bank. Some English banks have an affiliation with French banks, which would make setting up an account much easier. Similar documents are needed to a postal account.

Telephoning

Landlines

If you rent an appartment, and want to install a landline, you will need a French bank or postal account first. After this, go to any branch of France Telecom.

Mobiles

In France, you could keep using your UK mobile, yet rates are high and you even pay to receive calls. French SFR sim cards, will work in unblocked phones, and cost about 30 E. Therefore, it is not necessary to buy a new mobile! Top Up cards can be bought from many shops and vary in price. However, the call and text rates are extremely high compared to UK companies.

Call Cards

From all internet cafes and other shops, call cards can be bought. These can be used for your mobile and on phones in internet cafes. They substantially reduce the price of a call to England. International calling cards can be bought to use in pay phones.

Parisian Life

The following is a very small and non-exhaustive list of useful places to know when first arriving in Paris. There are huge amounts to discover, and you can only do this by getting to know Paris.

Shops

• Galeries LaFayette and Printemps (department stores): Métro Chausée d’Antin
• Samaritaine (department store): Métro Pont Neuf
• For general high street shops: Rue de Rivoli, Rue de Rennes, Forum des Halles and Champs-Elysées.
• For more French style boutiques; art; books and specialist shops: St. Germain des Près; Marais and Montmartre
• English Language Bookshops: Galignani 224 Rue de Rivoli, Métro: Tuileries W H Smith 248 Rue de Rivoli, Métro:Concorde
• FNAC: a chain of media shops located in many areas where cd’s, dvd’s, books and tickets for all different events (from sport to theatre and concert)

Sport

• Rollerblading takes over the streets every friday night from 9.45 p.m, when between 5000 and 10,000 skaters meet on Place d’Italie in the 13th arrondissement. They do a 40 km tour of the city accompanied by rollerblading police officers. For more information and renting of skates or blades go to Nomades: 37 Boulevard Bourdon, Métro: Bastille
• Jogging: recommended parks include park Monceau, Tuileries gardens and the grounds of the Palais de Luxembourg. The Paris half marathon takes place in March and the full marathon in April.
• There are many tennis courts in the Jardins de Luxembourg
• The American church has a selection of aerobics, yoga and other activities led by English speakers and is located on Quai Branly

Nightlife

• Rue de Lappe at the Bastille ( exit Métro Rue de la Roquette) is a street full of small lively French bars and restaurants.
• The Frog and Princess, Métro: Mabillon, Rue Princesse. An English pub, student night is Tuesday.
• There are a number of fun restaurants and bars at St.Michel, although this is slightly touristy!
• Caveau de la Huchette, Rue Huchette is a reknowned jazz and swing club.
• O’Sullivans Irish bar/club, free entry: Place Blanche

American Church

This church located on Quai Branly is an English speaking parish with regular services. It also has acommodation and employment listings as well as hosting many activities e.g. aerobics and yoga.