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BEST STUDENT CITIES IN FRANCE

Most students dream of going to France; to stand in front of the majestic Eiffel Tower, to get into a French university and getting a taste of French education, enjoy a sophisticated lifestyle, and to experience the highest educational standards. One can never get bored in the city of France. Each day here proves to be an adventure, and the city does teach you vital life lessons with experiences you cannot forget. There are many advantages that make it a sought after destination for higher education. Education is available in a variety of streams and subjects; there are a plethora of opportunities for research as well as the employment opportunities that follow. Each city in France has its own distinct characteristics, which allows you different variety and exposures, making it very enjoyable to stay in. Being a global leader in terms of academics, a capital of style, food and culture, France has a charm for everyone! We at Whizstorm find the following student cities as the top-five based on our years of experience with our students and other relevant communities. These cities also feature in the QS Rankings for the Best Student Cities in the World.

 

1. Lyon

Lyon is located very close to Switzerland, near the south-eastern border of France. It is also located next to the French Alps making it easy to travel to other French cities from here. Lyon is France’s third largest. It boasts of ancient roman ruins from when the city was founded; there are over hundred street murals here. Exploring these well preserved bits of the civilisation has been a popular activity for students. Famous for its culture, landscapes and festivals Lyon is also home to one of the top schools like Emylon business school, ESDES Lyon, and Ecole Centrale. Globally it is also referred to as “Capital of Lights” due to its role in the history of cinema (the cinematograph was invented here) and also for its light festival of four days in December. It attracts art and history enthusiasts, bankers from across the globe as well as admirers of architecture. Lyon is also known as a hub of gourmet gastronomy. It’s a mecca for foodies as you can find delicacies even as you take a casual stroll in its cobblestone roads. The overall costs incurred here are lower as compared to other French cities. Lyon has it all to fulfil your dream of studying in a very picturesque location while you study in a globally acclaimed university.

2. Toulouse

Another pocket friendly city of France, Toulouse attracts students every year due to its pleasant weather conditions all year long. It is situated to the south-western frontier of France. It is the home to some of the best and the finest universities of the 13th century, that have continued till date carrying its lineage. The most famous thing about Toulouse is its aerospace industry. It is the home of Airbus factory and almost anything and everything that you may point at related to aviation and spaceflight. Apart from aeronautics one can also find a lot of other degree programs, as it has three universities in the higher world rankings present. One of the reasons students love it here is due to affordable and easy means of transportation, accommodation and food in this city. It has a very rich French culture, making it a dream paradise for the romantics as well. After all what’s studying like without a little bit of love and fun!

3. Paris

What do you want to hear about Paris that you don’t already know? The city hosts the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, The Louvre and Arc De Triomphe etc. Popularly referred to as the “City of Love” and also the home of fashion in the world, Paris is the go-to city for most students if given a choice. Students fall in love with the ‘Parisian lifestyle’. The museums, cafes, local attractions, fashion centres, endless avenues etc. all add to the feel of the city. It is also home to one of the world’s best universities; almost 18 of the top ranked ones are present here. The most famous university is the Ecole Normale Superieure; which has the 43rd rank in the world. There are a series of exceptional institutions that adds value to your personality as a student every day. The only concern possible is that the cost of living in Paris is the highest in terms of cost of living, in the whole of France. Beyond the universities and the culture, there are so many activities, adventure hubs, exciting avenues for hanging out and enjoying night life and a party culture; that keeps you busy as a student and makes missing home a difficult proposition.

4. Grenoble

At the base of the French Alps, Grenoble is an alpine city that offers extraordinarily beautiful scenery. It has views that are breath-taking. It has easy access to premier destinations like Paris, Italy, Switzerland and Toulouse. Grenoble attracts a large number of people every year; especially international faculty and staff which makes the academic community here very diverse and dynamic. The city is known for its welcoming culture, outdoor activities (skiing, hiking, snowboarding, biking etc.) as well as its bustling city center. If IT and Innovation is your passion Grenoble is the place for you. It hosts the best engineering and science universities across the world. The student population is almost 33% and the cold climate doesn’t deter students as the charm of the city tops it all. Grenoble is also home to a lot of museums such as the Musse de Grenoble, which satisfies the introverts. The city teaches relevant lessons of history and culture due to its rich past. The food hubs here sport exquisite French and European cuisine. It allows international students to gain a balanced study as well as play experience.

5. Nice

Nice is a city that spells a mix of classic and contemporary. It has beautiful beaches, a Mediterranean climate and palm trees that make it one of the popular study abroad destinations in France. Its most popular attractions are: Cours Saleya - an organic produce of vegetables and fruits as well as a flower market and Promenade des Anglais- a 19th-century walkway. A number of ancient architectural ruins are present in Nice, which you can explore while you enjoy leisure. Nice has its own share of outstanding institutions. They grant you excellent education. Nice is also a celebrity hotspot, be ready to see a lot of shootings as well as international celebrities. The architecture in this city dates back to 300 BC. It is minutes away from Cannes, where the Cannes Film Festival is held. You can also hang out at Rue Bonaparte which is a footpath of bars and clubs in Nice. It also has great institutions like the University of Nice, IAE Nice and Sophia Antipolis. As a student, if you enjoy a quiet lifestyle with a lot of nature around you; as well as sometimes like to hang out and go crazy, Nice is the place for you!

For an in-depth discussion about the pros and cons of these student cities or to know about the others, please connect with us at Whiszstorm.