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France
Every single year, an estimated 75 million people succumb to the allure of France. With the glimmering romance of Paris, the frenetic frisson of the Alps, the scenic stretches of tranquil pastoral fields, the high life of the sunny South; it comes as no surprise that it is the world's most popular tourist destination.- Read case studies written by year abroad students in France
- Find out everything you need to know for your year abroad in France
- Insider guides to your year abroad in France: The Mole Diaries
- Student accommodation in France
- Why you need to set up a French bank account: understanding the CAF
- University in France - how it all works
- French Culture Shock
- French Practice Online
- French language learning resources
- Accessing healthcare in France
- Languages and dialects in France
- CNOUS-CROUS: the institutional portal for student life in France
Why should I choose France for my year abroad?
Any fancy, small or big, will be tickled! France is not only a cheese and wine emporium, as legend would have us believe (although there are a lot of these on offer, especially in Bordeaux!); decadent by nature, France offers its visitors fine food, fine wine and fine culture. Known to many as the epicentre of all things artistic, France also offers nature-lovers a thing or two: from the rugged coasts of Brittany and the deep ravines of the Pyrenees to the sweet pastures of the Loire Valley; each and every region boasts its own distinctive characters, dialects and architecture. So whether you're working or studying, we can guarantee you'll be in for a treat with l'Héxagone, once you get past the notorious red tape.
Make the most of the cheap train fares and visit parts of the country that really look straight out of Jean de Florette, go grape picking in the Landes region and enjoy a drink made out of the fruits of your labour, go for a shopping spree in Toulouse, enjoy the relaxed student vibe in Lyon, make the most of the Alps in Chamonix, or rock up to the casino in trendy Nice. All in all, France offers students everything you could ask for in terms of food, fashion, French flair and all-important fun on your year abroad!-
Hattie spent the first semester of her year abroad in Paris and she is now at university in Lyon. You can follow her blog: Parlez-vous français? and, in the meantime, here are her top tips for coping with administration in France - in particular the French CAF: -
Elen Roberts was living in Grenoble, France for her year abroad. Here, she gives an account of the culture shock she experienced, from working hours to going out... Read on to find out more: -
City of Innovation
Montpellier, with its army of students and bustling university, proves to be a good choice for anyone looking for sun, Southern French flair and a multicultural city. It may not be as grand as Paris, nor as alternative as Bordeaux, yet Montpellier still manages to place itself firmly on the map as a student haven. The activity during term time, numerous cultural events and reasonable rent prices make Montpellier a solid bet for students far and wide. -
More than 130 million people speak French as their native language, and most of those are based in France. When travelling (and living) in France, you should also bear in mind that it is rich in minority languages and dialects as well. During the French Revolution, the French language was favoured over the different regional languages. The revolutionaries thought that the monarchists preferred regional languages because they “kept the masses uninformed”. Regional languages started to be referred to as patois, a derogative term in its beginnings. Sometimes patois refers to non-Parisian French as well as regional languages. An example of standard, Parisian French is spoken by TV news anchors. -
City of Snow
If your idea of heaven is a dramatic landscape of snow-capped peaks, stone bridges over rivers and the twinkling lights of a hill-top town, then look to the South East of France at the foot of the French Alps and you'll find the city of Grenoble which will be perfect for you!
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City of Contradictions
From a large working class French commune to an internationally certified city of culture, Lille has been the subject of extreme transformation in the last century. Lille has liberated itself from the shackles of its poor industrial past to become a modern capital of culture, enterprise and tourism. The city is in a prime location and is quite correctly seen as the gateway to continental Europe with the Eurostar and TGV services offering convenient connections to London in just 80 minutes, Paris in 60 and even Brussels in a speedy half hour.
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Thinking about spending your time abroad in France? Don’t know where to start when it comes to accommodation? Check out these websites! -
Charlotte Derrett is studying French and German at Newcastle uni. She's spent half her year in Germany and has now found her way to Valence, France. Here, she gives an account of what aspects of culture shock she found in l'Hexagone... -
City of Business
Nestled between Paris and Marseille, right where the rivers Saone and Rhône meet, is the fine French cosmopolitan city of Lyon. Dynamic and power-driven, this sophisticated city is France's financial, industrial and commercial powerhouse. The Romans set up shop here, followed by the Italians in the Renaissance period, with the Germans following suit in WWII, making this fine French city a hotchpotch of culture, style and etiquette. -
City of Students
Bordeaux is a city most commonly associated with good, full-bodied French wine, and impressive hôtels particuliers (mansions to you and me). Although this is understandably true, the city itself can blow its own trumpet about many more attractions; a thriving scene for theatre, music and art ensure this city packs a lot of punch.
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