IFA PARIS

2015 Student Guide / PARIS

IFA Paris
2015 Student Guide / Paris campus

IFA PARIS

2015 Student Guide / PARIS

1. INTRODUCTION

2. CHECK LIST

3. LOCATION OF THE SCHOOL

4. HOTELS

5. HOUSING

6. AIPORTS

7. TRANSPORTATION IN PARIS

10

8. INSURANCE AND HEALTH

12

9. MONEY

13

10. COMMUNICATION

15

11. VISA

16

12. INTERNSHIP

19

13. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

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1. INTRODUCTION
Welcome to IFA Paris! Moving to any new city can be a daunting task especially in a huge city like Paris;
however you will find that Paris is a very easy, fun and convenient city to live in. This guide aims to
provide you with some guidance on your way. This years class has a diverse mix of students from around
the world. Some have extensive experience in Paris and some are here for the first time. Hopefully this
guide has something for everyone. If you need any additional support, do not hesitate to contact your
Education Consultant or email the school at info@ifaparis.com

2. CHECK LIST
When you arrive in Paris, it is important that you follow these steps:
Go to the OFII to validate your Titre de sjour
Find an apartment

Open a bank account (recommended)

Buy the transportation pass
Get a phone (optional)

This guide will provide you all the detailed information of how to process and go through these steps.

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3. LOCATION OF THE SCHOOL

The IFA Paris campus is located in the 19th arrondissement (quarter/district):
18-24 Quai de la Marne, 75019 Paris
Tel: +33 (0)1 47 70 37 77

The School is located near Paris Metro Line 5 (Laumire) and Metro Line 7 (Crime).
You can also stop at Stalingrad (Line 2 and 5) to come to school. It is a little bit further but it is really nice
to walk along the canal.

You can check the Paris Metro map on these websites:

http://www.ratp.fr/plan-interactif/ or http://www.ratp.fr/
You can also take a bus stopping near the school campus: Ligne 60 / Stop: Ourcq Jean Jaurs
http://www.ratp.fr/informer/pdf/orienter/f_plan.php?fm=gif&loc=bus_paris/&nompdf=60
You can click on this link to check for any other bus line: http://www.ratp.fr/fr/ratp/c_20561/bus/

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4. HOTELS
Like most capitals, Paris is a big and an expensive city.
You may wish to stay at a hotel (before moving to an apartment) in the area along Metro lines 5 and
Metro Line 7. We listed some of them near the school location.
You can book online either directly on hotels website or on general booking websites:

3-star hotels (room starting at 60)

Holiday Inn Express Canal de la Villette (the nearest) http://www.hiexpress.com/hotels/fr/fr/reservation
Hotel Crime http://www.hotelcrimee.com/
Hotel Ibis Paris La villette Cit des Sciences http://www.accorhotels.com/fr/france/index.shtml
Htel Balladins Paris La Villette https://www.balladins.com/

2-star hotels
Hotel Paris Villette http://hotel.paris.villette.free.fr/
Hotel Libertel Canal Saint Martin http://www.hotel-canal-st-martin.com/fr/index.php
Hotel Abricotel http://www.abricotel.fr/

Youth Hostel
If you are looking to save some money and would enjoy a new experience, you may like to try a youth
hostel. Here is a list of some places near the school that might interest you:
St Christophers Inn (only 5 minutes away walking) http://www.st-christophers.co.uk/paris-hostels
Thanks to our partnership with St Christophers Inn you have a 10% discount on a reservation!
You just need to show the certificate of enrollment or your student card that will be given to you
the first day of class. You can also ask for the VIP card easily via the website or by going there
directly, and it is free of charge. The VIP card will give you a 25% discount on every meal you are
ordering at the Belushis.
The Loft Hostel Paris http://theloft-paris.com/
Peace and Love Hostel http://www.paris-hostels.com/home.htm

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5. HOUSING
You will need to rent a studio or a flat while you are studying in Paris. Housing in Paris is available at a
wide variety of different price range but looking for a flat is time-consuming and difficult. Living alone can
be expensive but finding roommates with whom to share a flat may be convenient.

Glimpse of the cost of living in Paris

Accommodation

Starting at 500/month
Can go up to 1200/month

Culture
(Books, newspapers,
leisure)

Food

200 to 250

80 to 120

Transportation
For Zone 1 to 2 (center
of Paris):
10 tickets = 14,10
Navigo Pass for one
month = 70
Pass Imagine-R for
those staying one
year = 342

What type of housing are they in Paris?

Small studios or Studettes: also called chambre de bonne (attic room) are located on the top
th

th

floor (most often without lift) of buildings in comfortable residential areas (in the 5 , 6th, 7 ,
th
16 districts). They are often rented to students and are often furnished. Generally the toilets
are on the landing and must be shared with a few neighbors but you usually have a small
bathroom for yourself in the studio. Rent is approximately: 400 to 600 euros.
Studio: have a main room and a bathroom. Please note that studettes are sometimes called
studio by their owners. A studio is generally bigger than a studette. Rent is approximately:
650 to 900 euros.
Apartments: renting a flat in Paris is really expensive for a students budget. But you can rent a
flat with roommates and then share the rent.
Les Estudines Residence Halls They offer functional apartments and services to suit your needs.
The apartments, ranging from studios to two-bedroom units, are furnished and/or fullyequipped, and include a main room, kitchenette, entryway, and bathroom. As we have a
partnership for the residence halls mentioned below, your application will be rush through, you
will have to apply online :
-

Les Estudines St Mand : 72 rue Claude Erignac - 93100 Montreuil

Les Estudines Descartes : 10 rue Emile Reynaud - 75019 Paris
Les Estudines Arago : 77 rue Arago - 93100 Montreuil

But you can also apply for the other residence halls available on their website. If you are
interested in one of these accommodations, you will need to make an online reservation request
as soon as possible because rooms are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and are very
high demand. The website is in English http://www.estudines.com/uk/

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Where can you consult housing ads?

Real estate agencies charge fees that you will have to pay for (approximately once or twice the
rent!). If you chose this option, dont forget to do an incoming and outgoing inventory of fixtures
(tat des lieux in French) in order to get back your deposit before leaving Paris.
Since the last option is pretty much expensive youd better use other ways to find a flat:
Housing ads put on the Internet by the Paris CROUS:
These offers are reserved for students. You can consult them on the website of CROUS de Paris.
To see the owners phone number, you must register for free (by providing your students
number). For more information: http://www.lokaviz.fr/ (in French).
Housing ads intended to foreigners:
The American church, the Swedish church and FUSA magazine allow you to consult housing ads,
in
French
and
English,
free
of
charge.
For
more
information:
http://www.etudiantdeparis.fr/node/31.
De Particulier Particulier website :
You can use the website (http://www.pap.fr/). However all ads are in French.
Housing ads on websites specialized in students accommodation:
www.mapiaule.com
www.adele.org
www.annonceetudiant.com
www.location-etudiant.fr

What about shared flats and roommates?

Youll find shared apartments ads in the sites and newspapers listed above but also on these specialized
websites (be careful: you often have to pay to get the phone number of the house-mates):
www.koloc.org : Free of charge
www.roomlinker.com : Free of charge
www.colocationfrance.fr : Free of charge
http://colocation.vivastreet.com/annonces-colocation: Free of charge
www.smoovup.com: Free of charge, flat shared by common interests
www.colocation.fr : 1.80/24hours to contact the announcers
www.portail-colocation.com : 1.80/ 48hours to contact the announcers. 5 for 10 days
www.appartager.com : you can consult free of charge the address and phone number of announcers
who have paid. For the others you have to pay at least 18,90
www.recherche-colocation.com : to contact the announcers prices starting at 10
www.sharemyflat.com : Free of charge, flat shared between students from all over the world
www.ma-colocation.com : 12 for 1 week access
www.metroroommates.com : $25 for a 90 days access
www.sublet.com/Index4/ParisRoomates.html : $25 for a 90 days access
Colocation.fr, Easycoloc.com and Kel-koloc.fr organize every week Le jeudi de la colocation
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(Roommates Thursday) where you have the possibility to meet your future roommates

(http://jeudidelacolocation.org/)
Be aware of scams, some people may take advantages of you since you are a foreign student
and try to get more money out of you.
Beware of ads that are too attractive, they are often source of problems.
Always ask for a receipt when you pay your rent so that youll have a proof, we never know.
Never pay in advance anybody via Western Union!!!

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6. AIRPORTS
Paris has two airports, Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to the north and Orly (ORY) to the south. If you arrive in
Paris by air, use public transportation to get into central Paris; unless you can squeeze five passengers
into a taxi, it will certainly be cheaper.
Charles de Gaulle
Terminal 1. Take the airport shuttle to railway station. Once you reach the station (5min) buy ticket/s
for central Paris on the R.E.R (the express regional network). Ask for Paris Zone urbaine.
Terminal 2. The train station is in the terminal. Follow the signs for Gare TGV/Railway station. Once you
reach the ticket office for RATP (Paris urban transport network/RER/Metro) buy tickets for central Paris
on the RER. Ask for Paris Zone urbaine.
Orly Airport
Take the Orlyval light transit shuttles. These take you directly in 8 minutes to the RER station at
Anthony. Here you connect to RER line B for a direct and rapid train journey into central Paris.
You can also take the Orlybus shuttle direct from the airport; the bus route terminates at DenfertRochereau metro station in the southern part of central Paris.

This link shows the photo-tour of the journey from CDG Terminal 2 to Central Paris:
http://parisbytrain.com/paris-airport-terminal-2-train-photo-tour/

If you choose the option of taking a taxi you can reserve one before your trip on the following website:
http://www.wecab.com/en (Tel. +33 (0)1.41.27.66.77)
Please make sure your flight is on time, if it is not the case, warn the taxi company otherwise they will
charge you fees!

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7. TRANSPORTATION IN PARIS
Using the Metro and Buses
Paris has a great public transport network, with a fast underground network that stretches well into the
suburbs (5 different zones). It includes buses, the underground and over ground metro, the RER (express
transit metro), and of course plenty of taxis. Taxis in France are ordinary vehicles with a taxi sign on the
roof. However, we do not recommend it for everyday use of it except you have a lot of money to spend.
There are passes dedicated especially for visitors/tourists, you will find more information on the different
websites given in the end of this guide. As you are going to stay in Paris for quite a while, depending on
where you live and the frequency you use public transportation you will have to choose between
different passes. Here are all your options for Zone 1 to 2 (center of Paris):
Carnet tickets: If you plan to use the Paris metro or the bus less than six times in a day, opt for a
carnet. This is simply ten standard tickets at a reduced rate (14,10). Carnet tickets have no
date limit, and can be shared among members of a group. They are valid on buses, the metro
and the RER within the central area. Used on metro and RER journeys, the tickets allow as
many changes as you want. Though the Metro is mainly an underground system, several parts of
the network are above ground, and offer an interesting way to see Paris from well above street
level.
Pass Navigo: This option is for the students staying just a few months in Paris. You can buy a Pass
Navigo in any metro station for 70/month (zone 1-2). You can use any mode of transportation
and your travels are unlimited on selected areas.
Pass Imagine-R: If you are staying in Paris more than a year you can go to any Metro Station and
ask for a form to fill out called Pass Imagine R which is only for students. It costs at least
342/year but once you get it you can travel in Zone 1 and 2 of Paris unlimited.
If you need any help to fill out the form you can come see us at the student office. After that, you
will need to send the form with a document proving you are actually a student (Attestation de
scolarit given by us at the beginning of the year) as well as an identity picture.
You have to send all the documents to:
Agence imagine R
TSA 46033
95905 Cergy Pontoise cedex 9
For more information you can click on this link (in French): http://www.imagine-r.com/
Note: neither a standard Paris metro ticket nor a central Paris pass are valid on the RER for travel into the
suburbs, and notably for travel to Charles de Gaulle or Orly airports. For such destinations, you must buy
a specific ticket. Specific destination tickets and carnets are available at all metro stations, and from
automatic machines, which accept credit cards. Carnets can also be bought in some main French railway
stations outside Paris.
More information: http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/r_61596/access-to-airports/

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Finding your way in the metro

This is no problem. Using the maps available, check the line number and terminus station of each line
you want to take. If you need to change routes, follow the correspondance signs on the platform and
through the foot tunnels; these indicate the line numbers and the termini. Just follow the right one. The
RATP (Paris transport authority) provides free maps, which are usually available in hotels or metro
stations. You can also use the following website.
http://www.ratp.fr/
VELIB
All over Paris, approximately every 300 meters in all directions, visitors to the city cannot help noticing
bicycle racks, full of identical bicycles. This is Paris's successful "Velib"bike-hire scheme, which - if used
correctly - can prove an excellent and cheap way to get around the capital.
You can hire a Velib bike for just one Euro a day, if you use the system properly: on the other hand, if you
do not use the system as it is intended (for short hires only), it can work out very expensive. To hire a
Velib, you need a chip-and-pin credit card. On hire, you will be charged a 150 deposit, which may well
not be re-credited to your card for another two weeks. A day's use of the system costs just 1 , which
includes as many half-hour hire periods as you want, during the day. These first half hour periods are
always free, and you can have as many free "first" half hours as you want in a single day. After that, rates
rise steeply to reach 4 per extra half hour. So while you could use a Velib for all your needs for just a
single Euro per day, you could find yourself billed over 80 , which is far more than renting a car!
http://en.velib.paris.fr/
TAXIS
Here are some websites and phone numbers if you want to call a taxi while you are in Paris:
http://www.taxisg7.fr/ Tel. 01 41 27 66 99 (English-speaking)
http://www.taxis-bleus.com/ Tel. 01.49.36.10.10 (English-speaking)

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8. INSURANCE AND HEALTH

The French health care system is one of the best in the world. The level of care of French hospitals has a
very high quality, and universal insurance makes care available to everyone! Students, in particular, enjoy
quick and easy access to medical services and preventive care.
All hospitals have an emergency room that is open 24/7. Some physicians and pharmacies are on call at
nights and week-ends.
At the moment, European citizens must, before leaving their home country for France, make a request in
order to obtain the European Health Insurance card.
Non-European students and the ones older than 28 years old must subscribe to a private health
insurance in their home country or in France to cover potential medical costs, hospitalization and
repatriation.
To simplify the process we propose to all of our students to subscribe to a private insurance with the AMI
Association (http://www.assistance-etudiants.com/en in English). It also can be a complementary health
insurance for European students. You can come to the student office to pick up the documents and if
necessary we can help you to fill out all the information needed. In this case, please come to our office
with you credit card since youll have to pay directly online.
Please, be careful: in case of accident, the IFA Paris is not responsible.

Here are the names, addresses, and phone numbers of some general physicians who speak English.
Starting cost of a visit around 35.
Dr Francis SLATTERY
10, avenue dEylau
75116 Paris
Tlphone: 01.47.42.02.34
Dr Nancy SALZMAN
1, avenue Lowendal
75007 Paris
Tlphone: 01.45.63.18.43
Dr Madeleine ROSE
Hpital Amricain de Paris
63, boulevard Victor-Hugo
B.P. 109
92202 Neuilly sur Seine
Tlphone: 01.46.41.27.44

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9. MONEY
Major credit cards (such as Visa and MasterCard) are accepted by most merchants for payments in
excess of 15 Euros. ATM (Automated teller machines or cash machines) are readily available in cities.
The French make extensive use of checks. But checks drawn on foreign banks are rarely accepted by
French merchants.
International students may open nonresident bank accounts in Euros or another currency if they have
been in France for less than 2 years. They may open a resident account if their stay is longer. Ask your
bank if it is associated with a banking institution in France. The connection may make things easier when
you go to open an account in France.
Here are some bank addresses near the school:
HSBC France Agence 127 Avenue de Flandre, 75019 Paris
Socit Gnrale 86 Avenue de Flandre, 75019 Paris
BNP Paribas 83 Avenue Jean Jaurs, 75019 Paris

Opening a bank account in France

To open a current account in France, you can go into the bank of your choice and you will probably be
able to open it the same day. Usually banks open at 9am and close around 6pm, however most of banks
are closed during lunch time and on Mondays since it is open on Saturdays. Your Carte Bleue (the French
debit card) should reach you within about 10 days. In order to open the account you will need present 3
documents: passport, residence card and proof of domicile.

A bank account in France in your name: a necessity

An international bank card is not really sufficient to live in France longer than 3 months. As a student,
you will be living like the French on a daily basis, you may be receiving student accommodation financial
help, be covered by the student social security scheme, perhaps you will find a job

You need a bank account in your name for several reasons:

The student accommodation financial help and social security payments are made by automatic
transfer directly into a bank account;
Salaries are paid by cheque or automatic transfer, never in cash;
You may need a chequebook to pay your rent and electricity bills. You can also opt to pay by
direct debit or by bank card.

In France, the usual means of payment are:

Bank blue card (Carte Bleue) for purchases in shops;
Cheque or direct debit for gas, electricity, etc.;
Cash for small amounts.

When you open the account, you must deposit at least 15 .

Once the account is open, you will receive a chequebook (about ten days afterwards - usually this is free
of charge) and a bank card (you will have to pay between 15 and 40 for this).
Managing your account: be careful about going overdrawn!
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If you spend more than you have in your account, you will have to pay overdraft fees (called agios)
which are usually very high.
If you lose your card or chequebook:
Contact your bank as soon as possible to stop payments. If the bank is closed, call the number indicated
in your contract to inform them of the loss or theft. Contact the bank again as soon as it is open to
confirm the stop payment order and return the document you received duly signed.

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10. COMMUNICATION

How to use your mobile phone in France

Like all European and many other countries, France operates on a GSM network. This means that if your
current phone is GSM-compatible, it will probably work in France. If you are coming from North America
or some parts of Asia you will probably have a CDMA phone, which will not work in France.
If you are in France and want to call someone living in France, dial a ten-digit phone number, always
starting with '0'. If you want to call someone abroad, dial '00' + country code + phone number.
Getting started
If you want to use your current GSM-compatible phone in France, you have two options:
Keep your current service provider from your home country: Check with your provider that you can use
the phone in France (roaming) - it is unlikely you will not be able to, but you may have to specifically ask
your provider to enable your account to do this.
This is not a cheap solution as you pay for all of the calls you receive at international rates (for the length
of the call between your home country and France), in addition to being on expensive tariffs for calls
from France.
Buy a new SIM card: This will give you a French phone number, so you can call on normal mobile rates
and not pay anything for receiving calls. You need to check whether your phone is unlocked (some
phones are specific to only one network). Even if your phone is locked, it is easy to unlock it (ask in a
specialist telecom shop, unlocking your phone might cost 20-30). You can buy a SIM card in most
Bureaux de Tabac (tobacco stores).
Service providers
There are three main providers in France (Orange, SFR and Bouygues Telecom), each with its own
coverage and sales network. Bouygues Telecom and Orange offer mobile plans without long-term bond.
This is the best option for all students staying in Paris. Most plans starts at 9,90/month with at least
unlimited calls and texts.
Sosh (offered by Orange): You can go to any Orange store and ask for a Sosh mobile plan.
www.sosh.fr/Orange_Sosh
B&YOU (offered by Bouygues Telecom): You also can go to any Bouygues Telecom boutique to
get the B&YOU mobile plan https://www.b-and-you.fr/
Free (offered by Free): This option is the least expensive one. It costs only 2 per month
(unlimited texting and 2 hours call). However you have to subscribe on the internet for this one.
http://www.free.fr/adsl/index.html
When you leave France you can at any moment terminate your subscription just by sending a written
cancellation via recommended letter to the address you can find on the internet easily. In the letter
dont forget to notify the date you want your subscription to stop.

Note: You can use Skype to make international calls and contact your family and friends.

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11. VISA

Long stay visa / Titre de sjour for students

European students
European students do not have to apply for a Titre de sjour.

Non-European students
st

Since June 1 of 2009, the holders of a student visa of which the duration is more than three months
must do the validation of the visa at OFII (lOffice Franais de lImmigration et de lIntgration).The
demand of the validation must be executed during the three months following your arrival in France.
This validation is compulsory. In the absence of registration, the holder of the visa will be considered by
the French authorities as being in irregular situation.
Here is the process of validation for a Titre de sjour:

STEP 1: Verification of your visa

STEP 2: Submission of your application

When getting your student visa, the French Embassy or Consulate gave you a form entitled Demande
dAttestation OFII (Office Franais de lImmigration et de lIntgration). If you do not have the document,
you can access it from here:
http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/IMG/pdf/11._Formulaire_visa_long_sejour_document_no11_-3.pdf
Once registered at the school, you will have to complete the bottom part of the form (address in France
and visa information). You can still come by the students office if you need help to complete the form.
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In order to complete your demand you have to send all the following documents to the OFII:
The OFII form duly completed,
a copy of your student card,
copies of the 3 following pages of your passport: civil status, visa, and immigration stamp of your
entrance in France,
an official housing certificate (ask your host family or private landlord),
a 4x3cm bareheaded original passport picture

Here is the address of the OFII for students living in Paris (75):

Office franais de limmigration et de lintgration

48, rue de la Roquette
75011 PARIS
The documents must be sent by Lettre recommande avec avis de rception (document supplied by
the post office). Why is it important to send a Lettre recommande ? It will give you a proof that the
recipient well received your letter. It is always used for important mailing.

STEP 3: Medical exams

Shortly after the beginning of courses, you will receive by e-mail the date of an appointment for a
medical exams. Those appointments are mandatory, nominative and non-postponable.

STEP 4: Validation of your residence permit

In the weeks following your medical exams, you will receive by e-mail and then by post a summons to
the OFII.
You will get there with the following original documents:
your passport
the medical certificate
your student card
It is also compulsory for you to pay a tax of 77 tax, either by online payment at www.timbresofii.fr or
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by buying a fiscal stamp available in most tobacco shops. Beware you cannot buy the tax stamp directly
from the OFII.
At the end of this appointment, the OFII will apply its stickers on your visa, validating your first residence
permit.

Important: we remind you that you are not allowed to travel outside of France before the validation of
your residence permit. Without the OFII sticker, leaving the territory must be final.

FOR THE STUDENTS LIVING OUTSIDE PARIS (IN THE SUBURBS), PLEASE COME SEE US AT THE
STUDENT OFFICE !

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12. INTERNSHIP
During your studies at the IFA you will have the possibility to do small internships. It is a way to get some
work experience while studying. IFA Paris encourages all students to do internships during holidays or at
the end of the school year but not during classes!
However internships are not required by IFA, it is only on a voluntary basis. Therefore we are not in
charge of finding an internship for students. Sometimes we receive internship offers from companies.
Those offers will be posted on the information wall. Yet those offers are not systematic.
If by any chance you find an internship, you, the company and the school will have to sign an internship
agreement which is called a Convention de stage in French. The school will then establish the Convention
de Stage in 3 copies. But before that, you will have to fill out a document called Approval Certificate
collecting all information needed to create the final agreement.
Here is the process while doing an internship:
1) Find an internship
2) Then you fill out the Approval Certificate form (see below) by contacting the company you will
work for and send it to: sngo@ifa.cn
3) The schools accountant will create the Convention the stage
4) You have to count about 3 days to have the Convention de stage done

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APPROVAL CERTIFICATE
Information to create a Convention de Stage (Internship agreement)
(Please, answer each question accurately to quickly get your internship agreement)
Name of the student:
Last name of the student:
Class and school year:
Please, remind us your date and place of birth (date, town and country) :
Your home address in France:
Company full name:
Company address:

Establishment SIRET number (in France):

Your position during the internship:
Period of your internship (start date + last working day):
How many hours will you work in the week (no more than 35 hours per week):
What days will you work in the week:
Daily hours for your internship (from which o'clock to which o'clock for the work + the break
time):
The name of the person who is in charge of you during your internship:
The position of that person who is in charge of you during your internship:
The address of the workplace during your internship

Your salary for your internship if agreed (compensation

is required if your internship is lasting longer than two months):
20

(if different of the company address):

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13. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Safety
In Paris, as in any big city, one should always be aware of ones belongings in crowded (or touristic)
places.
Numbers to call in emergency:
-

Medical help / SAMU 15

Police / Police Nationale 17
Fire and accident / Sapeurs Pompiers 18
SOS all services (calling from a mobile) 112

Information about Paris

Paris is not a homogenous block of urban development; an ancient city, dating back to before Roman
times, it is a city that has grown organically over the centuries, to the point that it has reached today, a
city with an intra-muros population of 2 million inhabitants, an urban/suburban area of 6 million, and a
metropolitan area of close to 10 million inhabitants.
With 150 movie theaters, thousands stage performances each year (in national theaters and center for
dramatic arts), 140 museums, and countless music festivals, concerts and other events, you should have
no trouble enjoying yourself in France.
All of Frances cultural sites and attractions offer student discounts, so always take with you your student
ID card !

Paris intra-muros
"Paris", in the strict sense of the term, is an area covering 10,539 hectares or 105.39 sq. km,
corresponding to the "dpartement" of the Seine (75), the smallest in France in terms of size. This area is
almost exactly delimited by the route of the Paris inner ring road, or "Boulevard Priphrique", which
circles the city.
Within this area, Paris is divided administratively into 20 urban boroughs, called arrondissements,
conveniently known by their numbers, rather than historic names. Parisians know the numbers, and
often use them to refer to parts of the city; yet the historic areas of Paris also have names, some of them
well-known, other less. Here therefore is a short guide to the main "Quarters" of Paris:
http://about-france.com/paris-quarters-districts.htm

Keep in mind
You are students, and thus there are plenty of places you can go visit for free. Please check if there is any
preferential rate wherever you go: museums, movie theaters, theaters, etc.

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Indispensable websites
http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/
http://www.paris.fr/portail/english/Portal.lut?page_id=8118 (guide for foreign residents section)
http://about-france.com/paris.htm (useful information and tips)
www.ratp.fr (Paris public transportation website)
http://paris.angloinfo.com/information/6/em_no.asp (useful information in case of emergency)

Environment of the School

Where to get food for lunch?
Around the school you have many supermarkets as Monoprix ou Franprix for example. They are also
some restaurants and boulangeries. You can also bring your own food from home since we have a place
to heat up food and eat.
Some cafs and restaurants:
Belushis (http://www.belushis.com/)
159 Rue de Crime, 75019 Paris

Tel. 01 40 34 34 40
Thanks to the VIP card you will have a 25% discount on every meal you are ordering at the
Belushis. You can ask for the VIP card easily via the website or by going there directly, and it is
free of charge.
Le Bastringue (http://www.lebastringueparis.fr/)
67 Quai de la Seine, 75019 Paris

Tel. 01 42 09 89 27
Okay Caf (Crperie)
41 b Quai de la Loire, 75019 Paris
Tel. 01 42 01 56 04

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Leisure
The school is right by a quay, it is really nice and enjoyable, especially during spring and summer time.
There is also a small boating center 5 minutes away as well as a small park.

Culture
Mk2 M0ovie Theater (http://www.mk2.com/salle/quai-de-loire) showing movies in Original Version
with French subtitles.

7 Quai de la Loire 75019 Paris

Tl. 01 42 03 75 86
Le Grand Rex Movie Theater: A great place to discover. You can watch your movie in Original
and/or French Version and enjoy the architecture as it is considered to be a landmark of art deco
architecture.
1 Boulevard Poissonnire, 75009 Paris
Tel : 01 45 08 93 89
Le Centquatre (104) (http://www.104.fr/version-anglaise/). This place hosts several art projects
every year. You can assist shows or concerts, and go to many visual arts exhibitions.

5 rue Curial 75019 Paris

Tl. 01 53 35 50 00
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Point Ephmre (http://www.pointephemere.org/). This place is also hosting art projects all along
the year. They are many concerts, visual arts exhibition, shows

200 Quai de Valmy 75010 Paris

Tl. 01 40 34 02 48
Chteau de Versailles: There you will discover the History of French Kings from Louis XIV to Louis
XVI since 1682. (http://en.chateauversailles.fr/homepage)
Place d'Armes - 78000 Versailles
Tel: 01 30 83 78 00
Muse dOrsay : Different exhibitions and conferences are available through the year
(http://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/home.html)
1 Rue de la Lgion d'Honneur, 75007 Paris
Tel : 01 40 49 48 14
And a lot of other places to discover !

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