The highs and lows of student life in France’s top cities, as told by those living and learning there

Cobblestones underfoot. The scent of fresh baguettes from a boulangerie. Terraces everywhere. This wanderlust scene is every day student life in France.

Beyond its Instagrammable looks and charm, France has one one of Europe’s most respected education systems, with institutions like École Normale Supérieure, École Polytechnique, and Université Paris-Sud consistently ranking among the best.

With English-taught programmes and strong support for international students, it’s little wonder French universities are rising in popularity.

But does student life in France truly live up to the hype and news? We spoke to six international students in different cities to find out.

Qi Jiaxuan’s interest in finance took shape during her internship at the Banque de France, and she decided to stay on in the country. Source: Qi Jiaxuan

What student life in France is like in:

Lyon

Qi Jiaxuan first fell in love with France when she had the opportunity to visit during her middle school years. Later on in high school, she had an unexpected opportunity to join a special exchange programme between her school and a French institution, and the rest was history – this is now her fifth year in France.

After completing her Bachelor’s degree in Business and Management, she’s currently pursuing a Master’s in Finance at Emlyon Business School, and has now lived in France for over five years.

According to Qi, Lyon is vibrant and full of life, with plenty of activities for young people, a strong international student community, and a relatively moderate cost of living, especially compared to other major European cities.

“Lyon has turned out to be a wonderful place to live and study,” she admits. “One brunch spot I really love and highly recommend is Bloomy Brunch & Coffee here in Lyon – it has a great atmosphere and delicious food.”

Another spot she recommends is the Paul Bocuse Market, which is a fantastic place to explore Lyon’s culinary specialities and discover freshly prepared local dishes. Qi calls it a “must-see” for anyone who loves food and wants to experience the city’s gastronomic culture.

“I’ve spent time in other French cities as well, and compared to them, Lyon stands out in several ways,” says Qi. “First, the level of English spoken here is relatively high, which makes it more welcoming for students who don’t speak French fluently. The city is also quite safe and very livable. Another advantage is the administrative efficiency – getting my residence permit in Lyon was the fastest experience I’ve had in France.”

For Akshay Shivkumar, France ticked all the boxes in terms of academics and student life. Source: Akshay Shivkumar

Reims

Akshay Shivkumar completed his degree in chemical engineering back in India, but always knew he wanted to explore the more creative and analytical side of things, particularly in marketing. He then came across the Programme Grande École (PGE) at NEOMA Business School, and made the bold decision to move to Reims in 2022.

“France’s Grande Écoles system is globally respected, and the programmes are flexible enough to tailor to your academic and professional aspirations,” says Shivkumar. “Plus, the visa framework here is quite student-friendly, which makes it easier to live, study, and eventually work in the country post-graduation.”

Reims has also been a joy to stay in, according to Shivkumar. The city is situated in the beautiful Champagne region and is just a 45-minute train ride away from Paris, making it both quiet and accessible. 

“The city is rich in history, home to one of the tallest cathedrals in France and several renowned champagne houses. It also has good infrastructure for students, like public libraries and co-working spaces,” he says. “And you’re never too far from Paris, which opens up a lot of weekend exploration or even internship opportunities.”

Shivkumar calls Reims a student-friendly city through and through, and enjoys the vibrant lifestyle it offers during the day and quiet peace at night. “It’s a very liveable, cosy city for students,” he adds.

He recommends Parc Léo Lagrange for walks, casual picnics with friends, or even winding down with ducks at the pond. If he wants a coffee, he drops by L’Occasion Café in the Comédie area, which has a great ambience for studying or catching up with classmates.

Evan Smith hails from the small town of Ojai, California. Source: Evan Smith

Cergy

Inspired by the beauty of North America’s national parks and the impacts that human activities have had on public land, Evan Smith decided to decided to pursue a master’s degree in sustainability to learn about tackling climate change and biodiversity loss.

His institution of choice? ESSEC Business School’s Cergy campus.

“Given France’s leadership role in this field, I wanted to learn from those with more experience in subjects such as waste management, decarbonisation, and social innovation,” says Smith. 

Aside from wanting to learn the language, he felt that France was a much more affordable location to continue his education. Smith was also pleasantly surprised to discover that the French government offers subsidies on rent for low-income residents, such as students and foreigners. 

Unlike its bustling neighbouring cities, Cergy is more of a commune, and leans towards the suburban-rural side of things. But as someone who prefers open spaces and fresh air, this was perfect for Smith.

“With its forests, trails, football pitches, and community of small family farmers, I enjoyed being able to spend time with my classmates playing sports and cooking meals in my backyard together,” he says. 

Smith would make weekly trips into Paris to enjoy the wide range of cuisine available there, or to visit museums like the Louvre, of course, the Centre Pompidou, and the Musée d’Orsay. “It is a wonderful opportunity to experience both the lights of Paris in tandem with the beauty of its natural landscapes,” he says.

Mads Jakob Vieland Jensen was inspired by a professor from EDHEC Business School, who encouraged Jensen to pursue a degree in France. Source: Mads Jakob Vieland Jensen

Lille

Having grown up in a family that builds and renovates houses, Mads Jakob Vieland Jensen had always planned to seek out a career within the construction industry. The only catch? He wants to create a positive impact.

To do that, he’s chosen to pursue an MSc in Global and Sustainable Business at EDHEC Business School in Lille. 

To Jensen, the city’s size and location are key to its charm. “The city is neither too small nor too big. It has very good infrastructure, including buses, metro, and tram, which for me is important to get around easily,” he says. “Its location in the middle of Europe also means students can easily travel to other countries, with strong transport links via train, bus, and nearby airports.”

In his free time, he often runs through the Citadelle, a large park in the city centre, or cycles through the countryside of the Hauts-de-France region. “I also like to just go for a stroll around the Grand Place and in Vieux Lille,” he adds. 

One of his favourite rituals is visiting Marché Wazemmes, where he enjoys having a coffee and a croissant while watching the world go by. For museum lovers, Jensen recommends the Palais des Beaux-Arts, and plans to visit Musée La Piscine before leaving Lille.

Would he recommend Lille to others? Absolutely.

“The overall experience has been enriching and has made me grow not only professionally but also personally,” he says. “You will meet a variety of people with different cultural backgrounds, who will inspire you and make you think in new ways.”

Naina Gupta has a deep appreciation for a good cup of coffee, which makes the French lifestyle a perfect fit. Source: Naina Gupta

Le Havre

France had always held a special place in Naina Gupta’s heart, as she loved its culture and art. So when she came across the exchange programme at the Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIM Indore) while taking her Master’s in Business Administration, she jumped at the opportunity.

She spent her fifth semester at EM Normandie’s Le Havre campus. Set along the northern coast, Gupta immediately felt that Le Havre was an ideal location for international students.

“It truly felt like a student-centric city, with several colleges in the area creating a vibrant, multicultural environment,” says Gupta. “The city was also thoughtfully designed with students in mind – food options were reasonably priced, and the campus was well-connected through a reliable bus network.”

One of the biggest perks? The sea. Gupta loved walking to the shoreline, which was only a 10-minute walk from her place. She also enjoyed the city’s rich post-war history and its peaceful, reflective spaces. “Whenever life felt a bit too fast, I would often go to St. Joseph’s Church,” she says.

She enjoys going to Docks Vauban with her friends, a popular local hub with restaurants and shops. On longer weekends, she’d take road trips across France – “Paris, Nice, Lille, Lyon; our destinations often depended on how close we were to the next round of tests or assignment deadlines,” she says.

Gupta loves Le Havre, and agrees that her student life in France is fantastic. “Le Havre had a quiet charm that gently encouraged self-reflection and helped me find my own voice,” she adds. “It was a city that struck a rare balance: peaceful and beautiful, yet full of life.”

Tibo Nuyts was initially prepared for an exchange semester in Osaka, but Covid cancelled his plans, and he set his sights on France. Source: Tibo Nuyts

Nice

Originally from Belgium, Tibo Nuyts studied Business Engineering with a major in data analytics, before beginning a career in the start-up space. However, his curiosity soon drew him toward the financial and strategic aspects of business, and he eventually decided to pursue a master’s programme at Vlerick Business School, which offered an exchange programme with EDHEC Business School in Nice.

“I wanted a change of scene and a bit of a challenge – something different from Belgium,” Nuyts explains. “Nice was an easy pick. The city has this great mix of serious study and a relaxed lifestyle. I’d have classes in the morning, then head to the beach or go for a swim in the afternoon.”

Living just five minutes from the Promenade des Anglais made it feel like “a holiday half the time.” Apéro – happy hour – with friends became a daily ritual, and weekends were often spent exploring the stunning French Riviera. He’d also go on trips to Monaco, Cannes, Saint-Tropez, and even as far as Firenze and Barcelona.

“I got into a good rhythm with sports – running along the Promenade or swimming at the open pool in Antibes with friends,” he adds. “Fridays and Saturdays usually meant going out in Old Nice, to Waynes Bar and Waka Bar, which were always buzzing with international students and had a great vibe to start the night.”

So perhaps the big question is, is Nice, well, nice? Nuyts wholeheartedly agrees.

“You’ve got the sea, the sun for more than 300 days a year, a vibrant student community, and so many places to explore just around the corner,” he says. “It’s got the perfect mix, a great place to study with everything you need academically, and an amazing lifestyle right on the coast.”