Getting ready for a stay in France

By Plane : Roissy-Charles de Gaulle (50km)

Transfer to Compiegne by train

• Take either the RER B (stop at Gare du Nord) or the airport bus to the centre of Paris and then by taxi, métro or bus to the Gare du Nord-railway station-RER (Metro inside Paris)

• Take a train from Paris Gare du Nord to Compiègne 

• The last train leaves Paris at 10:30pm (except weekends)

• Estimated time : 2 hours and single trip price around 25€

Transfer to Compiegne by bus

Take the Picardiy-Roissy and the 10 Express Bus

A timetable is available at http://www.picardie-roissy.com/

By Plane : Orly (80km)

Transfer to Compiegne by train

• Take either Orlyval connection to line RER B (stop at Gare du Nord) or the airport bus to the centre of Paris (then as above after arrival CDG)

• Take a train from Paris Gare du Nord to Compiègne

• The last train leaves Paris at 10:30pm (except weekends)

• Estimated time : 2 hours and single trip price around 25€

Transfer to Compiegne by bus

Take the Picardiy-Roissy and the 10 Express Bus

Timetables are available for transportation by train from Paris airport at :

• SNCF (Train to Compiègne) : http://www.voyages-sncf.com/

• RER (Metro inside Paris) : http://www.ratp.info/

By Plane : Beauvais-Tille (50km) (low-cost flights)

Take either the TUC bus 12 or the Navette Aéroport and stop at the gare routière of Beauvais or Gare SNCF

• A bus connection to Compiègne exists. It takes one hour and costs about 10€

• A timetable is available at http://www.cabaro.fr/horaires_ligne/

By Train

International trains arrive in one of the four train stations in Paris. The easiest way to get to Compiègne is to take the suburban train from the Gare du Nord that goes to Compiègne. The Paris métro allows easy connection among the different stations.

The first train from Paris is at 6:30 am and the last one is at 9:30 pm. Check at http://www.voyages-sncf.com for further information and timetables.

For British nationals (or students arriving from London), the Eurostar is an affordable alternative (offering discounts for students) to the plane and arrives directly at Gare du Nord.

Be careful when picking your train. The TER takes longer as they stop at every station on the way. It's better to use Corail Intercités as they are the same price and quicker.

From Train Station of Compiègne to UTC or Your Residence

Bus from railway station to UTC . Buses in Compiègne are totally FREE.

You can find the map and timetable at: http://www.agglo-compiegne.fr/TIC.aspx 

• UTC Benjamin Franklin Center : Line 5, bus stop Rue Couttolenc (4 minutes)

• UTC Research Center or Pierre Guillaumat Center : Line 5, bus stop Deniélou (17 minutes)

• Student residence ROBERVAL : Line 3/4, bus stop Résidence Universitaire (9 minutes)

• Student residence CLOS DES ROSES : Line 5, bus stop Les Jardins (11 minutes)

• Student residence PARC : Line 3/4, bus stop Centre de Recherches (13 minutes)

• Student residence PEUPLIERS : Line 3/4, bus stop Blaise Pascal (16 minutes)

• Student residence ROYALLIEU : Line 3/4, bus stop Blaise Pascal (16 minutes)

Avoid arriving on Sundays

Transport on Sundays to Compiègne is minimal to non-existent. The room keys for the university residence are not available.

Temporary Accommodation

Appart City

• Address : Rue Jean de La Fontaine, 60200 Compiègne

• Phone : (+33) 3 44 90 90 66

• Website : http://www.appartcity.com/residence-compiegne/accueil-residence.htm?res=10

• E-mail : compiegne(at)appartcity.com 

International Residence

• Address : 8 rue Georges Forest, 60200 Compiègne

• Phone : (+33) 3 44 92 21 00

• Website : http://www.ilc.fr/pages/hebergement/default.htm

• E-mail : guillaume.gernez(at)hotmail.fr

ETAP Hotel

• Address : 1, rue Pierre Sauvage - 60200 Compiègne

• Phone : (+33) 3 44 86 00 66

• Fax : (+33) 3 44 20 27 90

• Website : www.etaphotel.com 

Student Residence (CROUS)

There 2 types of accommodation are available :

• student residences managed by the French government (CROUS)

• private residences.

Student residences are generally situated at a walking distance from the campus facilities and academic departments.

› The Directorate of International Relations assists international students in finding accommodation. Since we have limited rooms for international students, you need to contact Ms. Sadia BAICHE (sadia.baiche(at)utc.fr)

Residences

4 residences are available:

• Roberval

• Clos des Roses

• Parc

• Peupliers

› Thank you to contact us directly for further informations.

ALESC : Association for student's accommodation in Compiègne

• Address : rue Roger Couttolenc - 60200 Compiègne (UTC Benjamin Franklin center)

• Tel : (+33) 3 44 23 46 94

• Fax : (+33) 3 44 23 79 50

• E-mail : celine.feramus(at)utc.fr or pascale.lejeune(at)utc.fr

• Website : http://www.utc.fr/alesc

• Real estate agency or Newspapers : Paruvendu, Top annonces, Atout

Living in a private residence

Before you sign the contract

• You are advised to examine carefully the condition of the apartment and note all the defects in detail in writing.

• The apartment has to be returned in the same condition as at time of hire.

• Do not forget to ask for a receipt after you've paid the rent.

Paying the deposit

• Normally the amount for the deposit corresponds to one or two months' rent.

• It will be paid back before you leave if the room is in a good condition.

• If a certain degree of damage has occured or if repairs are needed in the room, the landlord can keep a part or all the deposit to cover expenses.

The written proof of income

• The landlord often asks for a "written proof of sufficient income" before renting you the apartment. 

• Scholarship holders or students who receive wages can provide a certificate from the organization/business that finances them or provides their wages.

• Students who are supported financially by their parents can give photocopies of their parents' salary or a written proof which certifies their agreement to assume financial responsibility.

Useful Links

• Association ESPERANTO

• CROUS 

• Paruvendu 

• Top annonces 

• Atout

• Foyer des Jeunes Travailleurs (FJT) 

• ALJT (for Paris) 

• Particulier à Particulier (pap)

Housing insurance

Housing insurance in France is compulsory and can be purchased via a student mutual insurance (SMENO or LMDE).

The amount depends on the room size and risks that are covered (fire, theft, water damage, civil responsibility...).

APL - Aide Personnalisée au Logement given by the French national government; this is a process with retroactive payment starting from the 2nd or 3rd month which depends on your residence permit

You can make an online application at the website of CAF (Caisse d'Allocations Familiales) : www.caf.fr 

› More information will be given at the beginning of the semester during the orientation week.

Housing Associations

Association KHEOPS

• Address : 12-14 rue Saint-Germain, 60200 Compiègne

• Phone : (+33) 3 64 47 78 41/ (+33) 6 98 77 89 93

• E-mail : associationkheops(at)yahoo.fr

Cost of living for students in France is among the lowest in the Western world.

› To estimate a living expenses budget, calculate as follows:

• basic living expenses: approx.. 500 €/month

• additional expenses that relate to travelling, living and studying in a foreign country (viz., France) over and above the basic expenses above (tourism, entertainment, deposits, registration for activities/events at the Students' Union (Bureau des Elèves) ....);

• for certain students comping to France, there will be a compulsory medical insurance policy, costing approx. 215 €/yr.

› Make sure you bring some Travellers' Cheques in euros (useful when opening a bank account in France, e.g., American Express) and/or an international credit card (e.g., EuroCard, Mastercard, Visa, ...).

› Whatever the type of accommodation you choose, you will be required to leave a deposit when you receive the keys and then, of course, to pay the agreed monthly rent.

Monthly budget

• room in a university residence 140€ or room near downtown 350/400€

• meal at the university restaurant : lunch & dinner 171€ (2,85 € per meal) breakfast 40 €

• other expenses (studying materials, clothes, leisure...) 200 €

› For the first month, you also have to pay:

• Private accommodation cost + deposit (about 2 months' rent) 1000 €

• University registration (scholarship holders do not need to pay) 150 €

• Social security 200 €

• Health insurance 80/180 €

Medical insurance for students who stay in Compiegne for 3 month or less

Students in this case will be required to prove (duly certified in French or in English by the insurance company) that they have subscribed a valid medical health policy in their home country for the full duration of their stay in France. Should this not be the case, they will be required to apply for health cover with the Student branch of the French Sécurité Sociale.

Medical insurance for students who stay in Compiegne for more than 3 month

If you are a non-European student

All students who are not citizens of the EU who come to UTC must subscribe for a French Sécurité Sociale (student) coverage, either at the LMDE or at the SEMO (the annual cost is approx. 215 €). Coverage is provided from Oct.1 to Dec.31 of the following year. Outside of these dates, students will need to subscribe to other insurance policies if they wish to be reimbursed.

The various subscription forms and other, extra information as to current French insurance systems will be communicated during the pre-admission week at UTC.

Private insurance is not accepted.

Please note - students older than 28 will be required to register with the 'Caisse d'Assurance Maladie (CPAM)'.

If you are an European student

All EU students coming to UTC in the framework of exchange agreements must possess an E111 or an E128 form or a valid European Health card; otherwise, you must subscribe to a French Social Sécurité (Student) policy. The annual cost is approx. 215 €).

The various subscription forms and other, extra information as to this insurance scheme will be communicated during the pre-admission week at UTC.

If you are a student from Quebec

All Canadian students from the Province of Quebec coming to UTC in the framework of exchange agreements must possess an SE40-Q106 form, otherwise, you must subscribe to a French Social Sécurité (Student) policy. The annual cost is approx. 215 €).

The various subscription forms and other, extra information as to this insurance scheme will be communicated during the pre-admission week at UTC.

Private insurance is not accepted.

Please note - students older than 28 will be required to register with the 'Caisse d'Assurance Maladie (CPAM)'.

Health and social services

• Consulting a doctor in France costs 23 €- visiting a dentist or other specialists (dermatology, ophthalmology, etc.) costs approx. 25 €

• Students who register with the French Sécurité Sociale services will be reimbursed on a fixed pro rata basis (70% of the consultation fee, and a variable coefficient for prescribed medicine). It is therefore considered advisable to take out a complementary insurance policy, called a "mutuelle", preferably in your home country that will ensure a better level of reimbursement of medical expenses during your stay in France.