Do you have friends or family in France? If you do, you probably will want to live near them. If you don't, then where you study will depend on your financial resources and, at more specialized academic levels, on the location of the most appropriate programs.

The cost of living in France is comparable to that of the other countries of western Europe, but it varies significantly within France! It costs more to live in Paris than elsewhere largely because of the cost of housing in the capital.

Be advised that it is now almost impossible to find inexpensive lodgings in Paris. For that reason, we advise international students to choose an institution located outside Paris, as more than 80 percent of French students do.

Paris does not have a monopoly on high-quality education. Be advised that it is now almost impossible to find inexpensive lodgings in Paris.

Throughout the country one finds institutions of high renown in all fields. And not just universities; in fact, most schools of business and many top engineering schools are located outside Paris.

Outside Paris one finds a delightful variety of academic sites, many of which offer a truly exceptional quality of life.

And remember that the City of Light is just a pleasant train ride away: 1 hour from Lille or Orleans; 2 hours from Lyon, Nantes, Poitiers, Rennes, or Dijon; and 3 hours from Marseille, Montpellier, or La Rochelle.

Outside Paris, you can still choose an urban environment ... or a peaceful town. Choose a location near the sea, in the mountains, or in France's lush and bountiful countryside. You'll live more comfortably, with less stress, and you'll make friends more easily.