Which city is as good/popular as paris, but cheaper to live in?

Question

I am thinking of going on exchange to France for university, but Paris is way expensive. So, I want to know what other cities are just as popular, and fun, but cheaper. Also, the cities should be close to Paris... unless it is absolutely certain that another city, farther away, is better lol. Thanks.

Answer 1

Aix (3hours train), Toulouse (1 hour plane) are really great universitary cities.

Lyon (2 hours train) is a big city too, where you can find students, but not only !

You can also appreciate to live a few months in Montpellier (1h30 plane).

Rennes could be greatly located (2 hours train), and cheaper than all of the above.

Answer 2

zafir is right, Toulouse is THE other popular city for student people in france. there are 100,000 students (2nd place in france). it's very well-known to be a quite beautiful and pleasant city, and student life is great.

well, many advantages, but... it's far from paris (700 km). its not 2-3 hrs, but 5.00-6.30 hrs far by train, 6hrs by car, 1hr by plane (i was in the train yersterday...). so if you live in toulouse, its gonna be long to go in paris or northern france. BUT its close from spain (barcelona is 3 hrs far), mediteranean sea (1.30 hr far) or atlantic coast (2 hrs far) to go swimm even in september and april ! and pyreneans mountains (2 hrs far from ski resorts).

well id go in toulouse, but... you cd prefer other cities with student life :

- Lyon (2 hrs far from paris by train, a lot more by car) : 2nd city in france, 3rd for students (after paris and toulouse)

- Aix-en-Provence, 3 hrs far by train (in french Provence, very sunny and pleasant, but really little city, and some people dislike the petty bourgeois atmosphere)

- Bordeaux (3.30hrs far) : said to be a cold city (coz of the citizens), it's changing and becoming a very pleasant place.

Answer 3

Aix en Provence is a great city and university town. It was founded in 123 BC and has, therefore loads of history.

With an average of 300 days of sunshine and only 91 of rain the weather is much nicer than Paris.

Answer 4

Lyon is a wonderful city! I am a student living right now in Lyon and it is the best place! It is only 2 hours from Paris by train and I think around 5 hours by car. Lyon has many bars and nightclubs for going out. But is also has a lot of culture. There are so many things to do. And there are thousands of students. As far as cheaper, it is. But if you are looking for really cheap apartments, don't expect the nicest. The weather is nice and it doesn't get too cold. It is very close to Switzerland and Italy if you want to go visit. I've been to a lot of different cities in France and Lyon is by far my favorite.

Answer 5

Toulouse is well-known as a university city, and much cheaper than Paris.  However it's not close to Paris, but in the South West of France.  The fast train to Paris takes 2 to 3 hours.