Your Complete Guide to Starting Life in France
Everything you need to navigate housing, visas, banking, healthcare, and French bureaucracy — from students who've been through it all.
Moving to France is hard
You're not alone. Every international student faces these struggles — and most learn the hard way.
Visa Paperwork Chaos
Endless documents, confusing requirements, and deadlines that sneak up on you.
The Housing Nightmare
Guarantors, dossiers, scams — finding a place to live feels impossible.
Banking Bureaucracy
Opening a French bank account shouldn't require a PhD in paperwork.
Language Barriers
Forms in French, phone calls in French, landlords who don't speak English.
Healthcare Confusion
Sécurité sociale, mutuelle, carte vitale — where do you even start?
Feeling Completely Lost
No one tells you how things actually work. You learn everything the hard way.
How it works
Grab the Guide
One click, instant access. Pay what you want — starting at €9.
Read What You Need
Jump to any chapter. Housing? Banking? Visas? It's all organized and actionable.
Arrive with Confidence
Skip the stress. You'll know exactly what to do from day one in France.
12 chapters of essential knowledge
Everything we wish we knew before arriving in France — organized, practical, and straight to the point.
Find Student Housing
CROUS, private rentals, guarantors, Visale — your step-by-step roadmap.
Work in France
Know your rights, work permits, and find student-friendly jobs.
Save on Groceries
Budget-friendly shopping and the best restaurants for students.
Best Phone Plans
Compare providers and get the perfect plan — no overpaying.
Master Transportation
Metro, trains, and beyond — including all student discounts.
University Life
Must-have apps, student associations, and how it all works.
Stay Informed
French news sources and staying connected to what matters.
Improve Your French
Practical resources to build your language skills fast.
Open a Bank Account
Student-friendly banks, requirements, and how to avoid fees.
Access Healthcare
Sécurité sociale, mutuelle, carte vitale — all explained.
Explore & Travel
Discover France and Europe on a student budget.
Safety & Culture
Cultural dos and don'ts, staying safe, and fitting in.
Bonus: Your Personal AI Assistant
Get instant access to our custom-trained GPT that answers any question about student life in France. Available 24/7, right when you need it.
Get the Guide — €9Made by students who've been through it
Written by 4 Sciences Po Master's students — 2 international and 2 French — giving you both perspectives.
“The section on CAF and housing guarantors alone saved me weeks of stress. I was completely lost about Visale and what documents my landlord actually needed — this guide laid it all out step by step. I wish I'd had this before I even landed.”
“Opening a French bank account felt impossible. Every bank wanted a proof of address, but I couldn't get an address without a bank account. This guide explained exactly how to break that cycle — which banks accept students without a French guarantor and in what order to apply. Game changer.”
“The titre de séjour chapter saved me from missing a critical deadline. I didn't even know I had to register within 3 months of arriving. The step-by-step prefect appointment checklist meant I walked in with exactly the right documents the first time.”
“I've recommended this to every international student in my program. The healthcare section alone — sécurité sociale, the mutuelle comparison, how to get a carte vitale — is worth far more than the price. Nothing else online gives you this in one place.”
“We spent months navigating French bureaucracy, making mistakes, and figuring things out. This guide is everything we wish someone had given us on day one.”
— The Arrivée Team, Sciences Po Paris
Common Questions
The guide is written entirely in English, designed specifically for international students. We include key French terms and phrases you'll need to know, with translations and pronunciation tips.
You'll receive an instant PDF download that you can read on any device — phone, tablet, or laptop. Plus, you get access to our custom AI assistant for any follow-up questions.
While many tips are especially relevant for Paris (transportation, neighborhoods), the majority — banking, healthcare, visas, culture, language — applies to all of France.
Yes! We regularly update the guide to reflect changes in policies, regulations, and student life. When you purchase, you get access to all future updates.
The guide starts at just €9 — less than the cost of one missed appointment at the préfecture, or a single student meal in Paris. You can also choose to pay more if you'd like to support our work. You get instant access to the full guide and AI assistant.
Four Master's students at Sciences Po Paris — two international students and two French students. This unique combination gives you both the outsider's survival perspective and local insider tips.
Don't figure it out the hard way
For less than the cost of one administrative appointment, get the complete roadmap to starting your student life in France — plus an AI assistant to help along the way.
📄 Instant PDF download · 🤖 AI assistant included · 🔄 Free updates