Food, healthcare, transportation, entertainment… the cost of living in France can be fairly high, especially in Paris and the big cities. It's better to prepare your budget to avoid unpleasant surprises when you move here.
Students' living expenses in France
For a serene university year, it is important to prepare your stay in France well. Estimating your budget is essential. Here are the main items of expenditure to be expected. These figures are given for information only. In large cities, prices are often close to those of Paris.
Your food budget
In average, the French dedicate about 300€/month to food expenses. Of course, this value varies depending on the city you are living in, and your personal habits. Overall, everyday life cost is slightly more expensive in Paris.
Here are the average prices of a few base products:
- a baguette: 1 Euro;
- a croissant: 1.10 Euros;
- 1 kg of pasta: 1.50 Euros;
- 1 litre of milk: 1.20 Euros;
- 6 eggs: 1.50 Euros;
- a coffee in a bar or restaurant: 2 Euros;
- a meal in the university restaurant (RU): 3,25 Euros;
- a fastfood meal: 7 Euros;
- a meal in a restaurant: 10 to 20 Euros;
- a sandwich from a bakery with a drink: 5 to 8 Euros.
meal in a "restaurant universitaire" (RU, for university restaurant): 3.30 Euros;
Your healthcare budget
In France, doctors are free to apply the prices they want. To stay in control of your healthcare budget, we recommend "conventionnés de secteur 1" (sector 1) doctors, who charge an amount that is almost entirely reimbursed by Social Security. You will pay less and be better reimbursed. If you go to see a doctor at the university health center; check-ups are free.
Here are a few examples of how much medical visits costs under "conventionné secteur 1" pricing and the part reimbursed by Social Security:
check up with a GP: 25 Euros (16,50 Euros reimbursed);
- check up with a specialist: 25 Euros (16,50 Euros reimbursed);
- check up with a gynaecologist, ophthalmologist: 30 Euros (20 Euros reimbursed);
- checkup with a dentist: 30 Euros (the amount reimbursed depends on what is done).
Your transportation budget
If you live far from your host institute, your transportation budget can represent a significant part of your total budget. It is important to anticipate. Here are a few basic prices to help you prepare your transportation budget:
- an annual transit subscription in Paris at the student rate: 342 Euros;
- an annual transit subscription outside of Paris at the student rate: between 250 and 300 Euros;
- 1 litre of petrol: 1.40 Euros;
- 1 selfservice bicycle: the rates vary depending on the cities with yearly subscriptions available. In Paris, an annual self-service bicycle subscription at the student rate: 19 or 29 Euros;
- 1 ParisBarcelona return plane ticket: 150 Euros;
- 1 SNCF discount card for 1827-year-olds: 50 Euros per year;
- 1 ParisLondon return Eurostar ticket: 100 to 150 Euros;
- 1 ParisMarseille return TGV ticket: 140 Euros;
Students enjoy a number of transportation discounts. Don't hesitate to take advantage of them; they may save you a lot of money.
Your entertainment budget
The price of entertainment and cultural activities varies considerably. There's something for everyone and for every budget. You will often get discounts and special rates when you show your student card or if you are under 25. Here are a few examples to help you work out your entertainment budget:
- 1 cinema ticket at the under26 price: between 5 and 7.50 Euros;
- an unlimited subscription to the cinema: 30 Euros per month;
- 1 entry for a museum or national monument: free for all European Economic Area nationals under 26 or between 5 and 15 Euros;
- 1 discount entry for the swimming pool : between 1.50 and 3 Euros;
- 1 pocket book: between 5 and 10 Euros ;
- 1 theatre ticket: from 10 Euros;
- 1 daily national paper: between 2 and 3 Euros.
cinema unlimited subscription: 30 Euros/month
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