Welcome A Paris, as we know it, is the city of lights and the cradle u t of artistry, as well as the inspiration for young souls. h o W It is considered to be the most romantic city. What r s e could be elegant than having a café noir with hot fresh l c croissants in a little café on the side of Seine river? Or o taking your lover to the love padlocks bridge putting m e a lock there to remark your affection? But what else do you know about Paris? In the end, we were forced to pull our head off the cloud facing the other side of the city. We are young, wild and There are so many things to worry about while we are in Paris. Hence, we would sometimes easily lose our inspiration at points of frustration. It is the big letdown with the French bureaucratic paper work system, lack like to write about our experiences and pass it to the future international students, so that Paris would stay forever a true good idea. I n Index d e x Part I - Preparation Accommodation 5 What should I bring to Paris? 10 Arriving in Paris 13 Part II - Living Public Transportation 21 Bank Account 25 Phone Contract 27 CAF 28 Grocery 30 Health Insurance 33 2 I n d e x Part III - Student Life French Culture 37 French Courses 40 Job Forums 43 Book Stores 45 Libraries 47 Part IV - Entertainment Hidden Paris 51 Classic Sights & Attractions 54 Cafes & Restaurants 58 Bars, Pubs, & Clubs 62 Annual Events & Festivals 65 3 Preparation Part I Preparation 4 Accomodation P r e p a Renting in ESIEE Paris Residences r a t i 1. Residence Ampere o n RER: Noisy Champs Single: T1 studio of 23m² or of 27m² composed of a main room with a kitchen area (sink, cooking hob, fridge, cupboards, ovens) and a separate bathroom (sink with cupboard, shower, and toilet) Price: €468 - €526 Shared: The residence also offers shared accommodation made up of 2 individual bedrooms (of 24,50m² to 30m²) with a shared equipped kitchen, bathroom (sink, shower) and toilet. Price: €404 - €486 All the bedrooms are furnished with a bed (80x190), a desk, a sofa, a book case and a cupboard with shelves and clothes rack. The heating is electrical. Duration: For this residence, the rules of subletting are implemented from the 1st September to the 31st of the following August. For management reasons, the annual rental payments are asked for with 10 payment notices, with payment in arrears (from September to June). Therefore, there is not a payment notice in July and August, but the accommodation is still available to you and you can receive APL for these two months. 5 2. Residence André Devambez RER: Neuilly Plaisance P r Your accommodation: e p Studio T1 of 17m² to 23m², a composed of a main room with r a a kitchen area (sink, cooking t i o hob, fridge, cupboards) and a n separate bathroom (sink with cupboard, shower, and toilet). Price: €422 - €540 All the bedrooms are furnished with a bed measuring 90x200 (12 studios are equipped with beds of 140x200), a desk and a work lamp, a sofa, a book case and a cupboard with shelves and clothes rack. The heating is collective (gas heating). 3. Residence of Noisiel RER: Noisiel Your accommodation: Studios T1 of 18m² and studios T1bis of 24m², composed of a main room with a kitchen area (sink, cooking hob, fridge, cupboards) and a separate bathroom (sink with cupboard, shower, and toilet) Price: €407 - €439 All the bedrooms are furnished with a bed measuring 90x200 (12 studios are equipped with beds of 140x200), a desk and a work lamp, a sofa, a book case and a cupboard with shelves and clothes rack. The heating is collective (gas heating) 6 4. Residence of Val d’Europe RER: Bussy St Georges P Your accommodation: r e Studio T1 of 13m² to 21m², p composed of a main room with a r a kitchen area (sink, cooking a t i hob, fridge, cupboards) and a o separate bathroom (sink with n cupboard, shower, and toilet). All the bedrooms are furnished with a bed measuring 90x190, a desk and a work lamp, a sofa, a book case and a cupboard with shelves and clothes rack. The heating is collective (gas heating) Price: €410 - €484 Staying with a French family It is possible to stay with a family as a paying guest. There are a number of entities that can arrange accommodation with a host family prior to your arrival. While this system is somewhat more expensive than the conventional rental arrangement, it offers an opportunity for immersion in French language and culture. If your budget is limited, you could opt for an arrangement whereby you are given accommodation in exchange for services. Accommodation with a family, which is more suitable for short stays, involves renting a furnished room in a family home. The minimum stay is generally one week. Price: €400 - €600 Renting a private home You may be able to rent a room or appartment in Paris or near Noisy Champs. The price of renting in Paris is expensive and it will take you a lot of travel time from your place in Paris to Noisy Champs when you go to ESIEE daily. However you can enjoy your time in Paris more and do not worry about the time when train RER close. Studettes (small studio): also called “chambre de bonne” (attic and are often furnished. Generally, the toilets are on the landing 7 and must be shared with a few neighbours. Please note that not all attic rooms have a shower. Do not forget to check : surface : approximately 9 to 17 m². Price : €350 - €600. Studio: studios have a main room and a bathroom. Please P r note that “studettes” are sometimes called “studio” by their e p owners. surface : approximately 18 to 35 m². Price: €350 - €800 a r a t i o share the rent. Near Noisy Champs and ESIEE there are many n private houses for renting. Price: €400 – €550 (includes bill) You must know that prices vary according to the neighbourhood. What about shared apartments and room-mates? listed above (especially the American church and the Swedish church) but also on these specialized web sites. Useful websites: www.koloc.org www.colocation.fr www.appartager.com Tips from Survivors “Always organise a viewing before agreeing to rent a room.” “Do not trust landlords/users that claim that no viewing is possible.” “Do not send any money via Western Union, Moneygram or by cheque.” 8 Temporary Options Before Finding Permanent Housing If you have not found accommodation before your arrival, it might take P on the time of year you arrive. If you have friends or relatives living r e in Paris, it may be best to stay with them while you search for a p a permanent place to live. Alternatively you may stay at hostels, bed- r a and-breakfasts, or hotels. t i o Hostels n French youth hostels offer cheap open to all young people and often provide an opportunity to exchange with other international students. However, please note that hostels offer shared accommodation in dorms, have fairly strict timetables, and will often only let you stay for a limited period of time. Prices start at €20 per night and vary with standing and location. Useful websites: www.aijparis.com Bed-and-breafast Bed-and-breakfasts may be a more comfortable option in that they usually provide individual rooms while being less expensive than hotels for an equivalent standing. Additionally, they offer an opportunity to experience French culture and get a glimpse of Parisian ordinary life. Prices run from €30 per night. Useful websites: www.bedbreak.com www.fac-paris.com/us/index.php Hotels less expensive hotels with prices running from €30 per night. 9 What should I bring to Paris? P r e p a r a t i o n An umbrella A set of crockery Warm clothes for the winter Glasses and contact lens French dictionary Medicine and your prescription Bottle of water Bed sheets Adapter 220V 10 List of documents Copy of your passport & identity card. P r e French and English. p a r a t in French/English (also explanation of grading system can be i o added). n score report if you will study in French. EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) for the European students and for non-European citizens any documents relating to your health (see list below). Copy of documents for visa (only for non-European students) Driver license (optional) If you have any health problems (diabetes, allergies, etc), please ask your doctor to prepare a document (translated into French if possible, if not, in English) with the following information: a list of any medicines you need to take a list of any allergies or other information which would be useful or life-saving in an emergency and for general information: a list of your vaccinations (with date) any recent x-rays, scans, or MRI scans (if necessary) any other useful medical informatio in case of a health problem in France. It is very important to translate and certify all documents! : If your parents are paying your expenses statement certifying that you will receive a minimum monthly stay; OR if you are staying with a friend or family, you must submit a 11 letter from your host certifying that you will be lodged free of charge, along with a copy of his/her identity papers, in which case a monthly allowance of €215 will be accepted; OR if you have personal income P then you must submit your last three bank statements, along with a r e letter from AGS stating that room, board, and tuition are fully prepaid.