Budgets and fares are indicative. Paris costs significantly more than the provinces — adjust figures to your city and lifestyle.
Daily life roadmap
First week (setup) → Weekly routine (groceries, transport, bills) → Optimisation (CAF, subscriptions)
Student checklist — daily life
- Week 1: SIM/eSIM, transport pass, supermarket map, Lydia/Paylib if useful.
- Every week: meal prep, shared charges check, CROUS meal planning.
- Every month: review mobile plan, compare energy offers.
- Buffer: €200–300 for pharmacy, repairs, last-minute train tickets.
Indicative monthly budget (2026)
| Item | Paris / IDF | Lyon, Lille, Bordeaux | Medium province |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (room) | €600–950 | €400–650 | €300–500 |
| Groceries + eating out | €250–400 | €200–320 | €170–280 |
| Transport | €40–90 (Navigo) | €30–60 | €20–45 |
| Phone | €10–25 | €10–20 | €10–20 |
| Charges / utilities share | €50–100 | €40–80 | €35–70 |
| Leisure | €80–150 | €60–120 | €40–90 |
| Indicative total | €1,050–1,550 | €750–1,150 | €600–950 |
Transport
- Paris: Navigo (zones 1–5), Imagine R for enrolled under-26s.
- Île-de-France: RER B/C/D — check pass zones.
- Intercity: SNCF Connect, Ouigo, Flixbus — book early.
- Vélib’ / scooters — Helmet and local rules.
- Covoiturage (BlaBlaCar) — Cheap between cities.
Groceries and cooking
- Discount: Lidl, Aldi, Action — good value.
- Supermarkets: Leclerc, Carrefour, Auchan, Intermarché.
- Markets: Fresh produce; compare price per kg.
- Resto U CROUS — Social-rate meals with carte étudiante.
- Menu étudiant — Some restaurants offer lunch ~€4–6 (check hours).
Phone and internet
| Operator | Note |
|---|---|
| Free, SFR, Bouygues, Orange | Plans often €10–20/month |
| RED by SFR, B&You, Sosh | Budget MVNOs |
| eSIM | Useful before RIB for some operators |
Energy and flatshare
- Central vs individual heating — big impact on charges.
- Switch off standby; 19 °C in winter is an efficient standard.
- Excel or Tricount to split charges.
Washing machine — quick guide
- Separate whites, colours, delicates; empty pockets.
- Programs: Coton, Synthétique, Délicat.
- Dose detergent — residue causes odours in compact drums.
- Air-dry on a rack (dryers rare in flatshares).
- Clean filter monthly.
Culture and everyday safety
- Hours: lunch 12:00–14:00; dinner often after 19:30.
- Sunday: many shops closed or reduced hours — shop on Saturday.
- Transport strikes — Follow RATP/SNCF info; bike/walk alternatives.
- 112 — EU emergencies; 15 SAMU; 17 police.
Useful links
Sources
Empty cities, reduced offices — close CAF/permit first.
Quick reference
Intense cultural life, lunch break, shops closed on Sunday in many areas. Paris vs provinces = two worlds.
Transport
SNCF, TGV, Navigo, TER. BlaBlaCar. Trottinette Lime.
- SNCF
- I sail
- Vélib
Climate and what to pack
Rain northwest; Drier Mediterranean. Coat and umbrella.
Phone and internet
Telephone
Free, Orange, SFR, Bouygues. Flat rate €10–20. WiFi CROUS.
Food and groceries
Markets, fromage, pain. Label: “Bonjour” upon entering the shop.
Habits and settling in
Initial formality then cordial. Documents in French. Strikes to consider in the calendar.
Deep dive (optional)
Go deeper
Key numbers
| Service | Number / note |
|---|---|
| Medical emergency (SAMU) | 15 |
| Police / gendarmerie | 17 |
| Fire brigade | 18 |
| European emergency | 112 |
| Violence against women (anonymous) | 3919 (check hours on official health pages) |
| Duty pharmacies | 3237 (paid call—check current pricing) |
| Student mental-health support | Mon soutien psy — see Ameli |
| Consumer affairs | DGCCRF |
Post & pharmacy
Pharmacy
Prescription medicines; local duty-pharmacy rotas or the 3237 line.
Go deeper
Driving licence & ID
Exchange rules, international permits, and minimum ages differ widely. Confirm with the national or state motoring authority in France before driving; rental desks usually require licence plus passport or national ID.
Mobile plans & SIM
Compare prepaid vs contract; you will usually need ID and sometimes proof of address. Ask about number portability, fair-use data caps, and EU/international roaming if you travel outside France.
Groceries & food
Mix discount supermarkets with local markets and food-rescue apps where they operate. Check Sunday opening rules and bag/bottle deposit schemes in France—they affect weekly cost.