Everyday Life in France
In order to live adequately, French authorities assess that students must have access to between 686 to 1200 Euros per month. This sum is needed to cover accommodation, food, leisure etc (but not travel expenses). Costs do vary across regions, with Paris much more expensive than everywhere else. Thus the average monthly budget for Paris is estimated to be €1100, while it is €800 elsewhere. A sample budget and more information on the cost of living in France is available (in English) from the EduFrance website.
Remember that when you first arrive there will a number of initial setting up expenses. These could include:
- rent: up to €300
- housing dépôt de garantie (security deposit), the equivalent of two months' rent: €600
- one year of housing insurance: €50
- registration fees: €150
- enrolment fee for national health insurance (Sécurité sociale): €180
- purchase of additional private health coverage (mutuelle santé): €70 to €285 depending on the coverage selected.
- And don't forget that there are many other initial expenses for telephone, electricity, transportation, food supplies and implements, and more.
Overall these figures are only a rough guide, most important factors will be what sort of accommodation you obtain, what region you are living in and also the actual course you are studying since different courses can demand quite different costs.
One thing you should note is that there is tradition of state support for students in France that will entitle you to subsidies on housing and food, and discounts on transport and entry to cultural events.
Banking, Managing your money
Major credit cards (such as Visa and MasterCard) are accepted by most merchants for payments in excess of 15 Euros. Automated teller machines (cash machines) are readily available in cities.
The French make extensive use of checks. But checks drawn on foreign banks are rarely accepted by French merchants.
International students may open nonresident bank accounts in Euros or another currency if they have been in France for less than 2 years. They may open a resident account if their stay is longer. Ask your bank if it is associated with a banking institution in France. The connection may make things easier when you go to open an account in France |
Eating
University restaurants are a fixture of student life in France. The prices are low: a complete meal costs just 2.75 Euros. Anyone with a valid student ID card can use any of the 450 university restaurants found throughout France. Some are open nights and on weekends. France's university restaurants are managed by CROUS.
You can also get a good meal in the many cafés and restaurants you'll find in every French city. Prices for a complete meal (appetizer, entrée, and dessert) range from 10 Euros to astronomical sums in 3-star "temples of French gastronomy" such as Alain Ducasse, Paul Bocuse, and Bernard Loiseau. Between these two extremes you will find many friendly establishments serving very good food.
If your residence or studio has cooking facilities, you should explore the food stores in your area. You'll find small neighborhood shops, supermarkets, and open-air markets. And no matter where you live in France, you won't be far from a bakery where you can buy baguettes and croissants.
Religion
France is a secular state with a Roman Catholic tradition. The many Roman and Gothic cathedrals, as well as churches and chapels found in the most out-of-the-way corners of the country, testify to that tradition.
Individuals are free to practice the religion of their choice.
Discrimination on the basis of religious practice or affiliation is prohibited by law.
The major faiths in France are Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, and Judaism. Churches, mosques, and temples coexist peacefully in a spirit of harmony and mutual respect.
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