Study Abroad in Paris 2026: Erasmus & Exchange Guide

City Vibe

The most iconic student city in the world: world-class universities, unbeatable culture, subsidised meals, and a metro that goes everywhere — if you can afford the rent.

Who loves this city?

Students passionate about culture, fashion, gastronomy, arts, or social sciences. Paris rewards intellectual curiosity and cafe culture. Those who love walking, discovering hidden bookshops, debating ideas, and waking up to a croissant every morning will feel completely at home.

What makes it special

Paris is the only city where you can eat a €3.30 CROUS lunch across the street from the Louvre, hop on a metro to a free concert in the evening, and walk home through streets that look like a film set. The density of culture, history, and student life is unmatched anywhere in the world.

Newcomer shocks

The housing market is brutal — start your search 3 months before arrival and expect multiple rejections before securing a room.
Parisians can seem cold at first, but a genuine 'bonjour' and a few words of French open doors surprisingly fast.
The RATP metro is incredibly efficient but crowded at rush hour (8-9h and 18-19h) — plan accordingly.
Bureaucracy is real: opening a bank account, applying for CAF, validating your OFII — each requires specific documents and patience.

Weather & Packing

Season	High / Low	Conditions	Note
January	7°C / 3°C	Frequent drizzle, occasional frost	~9h daylight — grey and short days
February	9°C / 3°C	Light rain, cold wind	~10.5h daylight — slowly brightening
March	13°C / 6°C	Moderate rain, mild	~12h daylight — spring arriving
April	17°C / 9°C	Moderate rain, fresh	~13.5h daylight — pleasant walking weather
May	21°C / 13°C	Light rain, warm	~15h daylight — outdoor terrace season begins
June	24°C / 16°C	Occasional afternoon storms	~16h daylight — peak city energy
July	26°C / 18°C	Mostly dry, hot spells	~15.5h daylight — Paris Plages open
August	26°C / 18°C	Dry, occasional heatwave	~14h daylight — many Parisians on holiday, quieter city
September	22°C / 15°C	Light rain returning	~12.5h daylight — la rentrée, city buzzes again
October	16°C / 11°C	Moderate rain, cooling fast	~11h daylight — golden autumn in the parks
November	10°C / 6°C	Frequent rain, grey	~9.5h daylight — pack a good raincoat
December	7°C / 4°C	Cold rain, fog, rare snow	~8.5h daylight — Christmas markets compensate

Paris winters are mild but grey and damp (rarely below freezing). The metro runs 24/7 on weekends (Noctilien bus otherwise). No snow disruption expected; rain gear is more important than winter boots.

Packing checklist

A quality waterproof jacket is more useful than a heavy winter coat — Paris winters are wet, not Arctic.
Smart-casual clothes matter more here than in most student cities: Parisians dress with intention even for supermarket runs.
Comfortable walking shoes are essential — expect 10-15km/day exploring the city.
An umbrella you can pocket is essential from October to April.
Bring adaptors for Type E French sockets if your devices use Type A/B or UK plugs.
A reusable shopping bag — French supermarkets charge for plastic bags and sustainable habits are very normal here.

Cost of Living

Cost of Living Index

77.5 / 100

Expensive · World avg ≈ 44

Numbeo

Category	Range	Notes
Shared Room Rent	EUR 450 – 800/month	Shared flat in student arrondissements (13th, 18th, 19th–20th). Inner arrondissements (5th, 6th) push towards €700-950.
Studio Rent	EUR 800 – 1,400/month	Studio (typically 15-25m²) in Paris. Under-market options require long wait lists or personal connections.
University Residence	EUR 250 – 550/month	CROUS résidences universitaires — very limited places, apply 6+ months ahead through your home university or Paris university's international office.
Groceries	EUR 120 – 200/month	Lidl, Aldi, Ed, Franprix are the student-budget chains. Monoprix and Carrefour City are convenient but 20-30% more expensive.
Transport Monthly	EUR 33 – 90/month	Pass Imagine R (student under 26, annualised ~€33/month at €392/year) or full Navigo Mois (all zones, €88.80/month from Jan 2025).
Eating Out	EUR 3 – 13/meal	CROUS RU: €3.30 standard (€1 for boursiers and students in financial difficulty via CAF request). Brasserie plat du jour: €10-13.

Going out & dining

☕ Coffee (espresso, café) EUR 2.00-2.80

🍺 Beer (demi, bar) EUR 4.50-7.00

🍽️ CROUS lunch (standard) EUR 3.30

🍽️ CROUS lunch (boursier / financial aid) EUR 1.00

Baguette EUR 1.10-1.40

Monthly Navigo pass (all zones) EUR 88.80

Pass Imagine R (student under 26, annual) EUR 392/year (~33/month)

🎬 Cinema ticket (MK2, UGC student) EUR 8.00-11.00

🏋️ Gym membership (budget chains) EUR 20-30/month

🍽️ Supermarket lunch (sandwich + drink) EUR 5.00-7.00

Supermarket basket

🥛 Milk (1L) EUR 1.20–1.50

🥚 Eggs (12) EUR 2.60–3.40

🍗 Chicken breast (1kg) EUR 8–12

🍞 Bread (500g loaf) EUR 1.20–2.00

🍚 Rice (1kg) EUR 1.50–2.50

Source: Numbeo · Prices approximate, updated periodically.