Finding Housing in Paris
as an International Student.
Finding accommodation in Paris is the #1 challenge for international students. The market is competitive, landlords require guarantors, and scams are common. This guide covers every option — CROUS, CAF, Visale, private platforms and neighbourhoods — with verified links and honest advice. Updated for 2025–2026.
Four ways to find housing.
Know which one fits your situation.
Government-subsidised student residences. Cheapest option. Apply January–May for October intake. Highly competitive — apply early and apply wide.
Cheapest optionMost freedom but most competitive. Requires a guarantor — use Visale (free, for under-30s) if you don't have a French guarantor.
Guarantor requiredShare a flat with 2–4 people. Best balance of price and social life. Many platforms allow individual rooms without a full guarantor file.
Best valueFurnished rentals for 1–6 months. No long-term commitment. Ideal while you look for permanent housing after arrival. Platforms: Spotahome, HousingAnywhere.
Flexible entry
The three essential systems.
Don't miss a single one.
CROUS (Centre Régional des Œuvres Universitaires et Scolaires)
manages government-subsidised student residences across France.
Rooms and studios are far below market price
— from €200 to €450/month fully furnished — but places are
limited and competition is high.
International students can apply, but priority
is given to students with financial need and those enrolled in
French state institutions. PSE students are encouraged to apply
and mention their enrollment status.
CAF (Caisse d'Allocations Familiales) provides housing benefits
to students renting in France.
Most international students are eligible
for the ALS (Allocation de Logement à caractère Social).
The amount depends on your rent, location, and income
— typically €100 to €250/month.
Apply within 3 months of signing your lease.
Payments are retroactive to your move-in date if you apply in time.
Do not delay — it is free money you are entitled to.
Visale is a free rent guarantee provided by
Action Logement — a French government agency.
It acts as your guarantor with landlords,
covering up to 36 months of unpaid rent.
It is the most important tool
for international students who cannot provide
a French guarantor (parent, employer, etc.).
Available to students under 30 years old
(some exceptions apply up to 31).
Apply before signing your lease
— you cannot apply retroactively.
Critical: Apply on visale.fr BEFORE signing your lease. The process takes 10 minutes. If you sign first, you cannot get Visale retroactively. It is free — there is no reason not to apply.
Trusted platforms.
Where to search.
Paris neighbourhoods.
Best areas for students.
Living just outside Paris.
More space. Lower rent. Same commute.
These suburbs are safe, well-served by public transport, and popular with students and young professionals. All are reachable from PSE (Kléber, Paris 16e) in under 45 minutes. Rents can be 25–45% cheaper than equivalent Paris apartments — with more space and often quieter surroundings.
One of the safest and most pleasant suburbs of Paris. Borders the Bois de Vincennes — great for running and outdoors. Lively town centre with restaurants and shops. Very popular with young professionals.
€800–1,100/studio/month ~25 min to KléberTrendy and creative — often called "the 21st arrondissement." Large artistic community, great cafés and restaurants. The southern and central areas are safe and lively. Excellent value for money.
€650–900/studio/month ~30 min to KléberVery well-connected suburb, directly on Metro 13. Safe, with a young and mixed population. Renovated city centre with good amenities. 10 minutes from Saint-Lazare station.
€650–880/studio/month ~20 min to KléberAffordable and safe, with a growing student population. Many new housing developments with modern studios. Good cafés and restaurants. Direct metro to central Paris. Popular with students from nearby universities.
€600–820/studio/month ~30 min to KléberSafe and quiet suburb on Metro 13. Pleasant along the Seine riverbank. Good local shops and restaurants. Very accessible — 15 minutes to Saint-Lazare. Popular with young families and students.
€620–850/studio/month ~25 min to KléberMajor student city — home to the University of Paris-Est. Very affordable and very well-connected. Large Carrefour, lake, sports facilities. Safe residential areas around the lake. CROUS residences available.
€550–780/studio/month ~35 min to Kléber
Common scams.
Never fall for these.
What actually works.
From students who found it.
Useful documents.
Everything you need — ready to use.
Paris School of Entrepreneurship has compiled free, ready-to-use templates for every stage of your rental journey in France — from moving in to moving out. All documents are available in English and adapted to French law.
Renting an apartment in Paris and unsure who is responsible for repairs and maintenance? These guides clarify your rights and obligations as a tenant under French law — room by room.
Moving into a new apartment? This guide explains what constitutes a "decent accommodation" under French law — the minimum conditions a property must meet to be legally rented.
Still have questions?
We have the answers.
Yes — and the solution is Visale, a free rent guarantee from the French government (Action Logement). Apply at visale.fr before signing any lease. It is available to students under 30 and replaces a traditional French guarantor in most cases. Paid alternatives exist (GarantMe, Cautioneo) but Visale is always your first stop.
Expect to pay €800–1,400/month for a studio (20–30m²) in central Paris arrondissements. The cheapest inner Paris areas are the 18e, 19e and 20e (from €700/month). A CROUS room costs €200–450/month but requires a successful application. Colocation (flatsharing) averages €500–800/month per room and is often the best balance of price and social life.
Most international students are eligible for CAF (Allocation de Logement à caractère Social — ALS), including non-EU students with a valid titre de séjour. You need a French bank account, a signed lease, and proof of enrollment. Apply at caf.fr within 3 months of moving in. The benefit typically ranges from €100–250/month depending on your rent and situation.
Yes — platforms like HousingAnywhere and Spotahome allow you to book verified furnished housing entirely online before you arrive. We recommend booking 1–2 months of short-term housing first, then searching for permanent accommodation once you're physically in Paris. The rental market moves much faster in person — landlords prefer to meet tenants directly.
Under French law (Loi Alur), landlords can request a maximum of 1 month's rent as deposit for unfurnished apartments and 2 months for furnished apartments. Anything above this is illegal. The deposit must be returned within 1 month after you leave (or 2 months if there are deductions) with a full statement of any charges.
It depends on your budget and lifestyle. Best value: 18e, 19e, 20e (from €700/month, lively atmosphere). Best transport: 10e, 13e (metro + RER, very central). Classic student area: 5e, 14e (Latin Quarter, Montparnasse — more expensive). Paris School of Entrepreneurship is based in the 16e (Kléber) — all arrondissements are within 20–30 minutes by metro.
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