Which university/city would be best to go on exchange to - Tours (francois rabelais) or Lyon (Jean Moulin 3)?

Question

I just can't decide which one to preference first- people tell me Lyon is a great city, close to Italy, the Alps...and they have good food! Jean Moulin 3 also has some good french as a foreign language courses...

But Tours looks interesting too...with the pretty castles nearby, heaps of students...and apparently they speak very clear French and Paris is only an hour away. Does anyone know which city would be the most welcoming or fun to stay in? Or has anyone gone to these universities? Thanks...!

Answer 1

Hello,

I recommend Lyon because it is bigger than Tours, you will have more cultural and historical spots, and that there you can have a nice picture of French multi cultural society.

Jean Moulin 3 has also a good ranking on French universities.

You will just be 2 hours from Paris or Marseille.

Answer 2

My university had an exchange program with Tours and I was part of the group that went there the year it was established. I liked both the town and the area, and I agree that the French spoken there is very clear and thus easy to understand. I also remember the culture and music scene  as being quite lively.

Answer 3

I prefer Lyon : good food and great city.

Look at the photo : http://www.lyon-photos.com/photos_1.htm

It's near Grenoble and not so far from Paris (TGV is very fast).

Also Lyon 3 is a good university.

If you want to see Tours you could go for a week-end with friends...

Answer 4

they say that the best french is spoken in Tours, so if you're looking to improve it...

this of course depends on the crowd you hang with :)

Being in Tours, the tropism will be towards Paris for extra diversion. In Lyon, I'm guessing you'll lapse more easily into Switzerland, Italy, the Mediterranean.

But in either case this will all depend on the amount of time and the amount of money you have to spend