Best Cities to Study in France
- Last Updated on: May 19, 2025 by
- Sridhar Kongara
Indian students who are ambitious to seek higher education in France and be a part of 430,000 international students at France. Selecting an appropriate city is an intrinsic part of your dream. Whether it is a cosmopolitan like Paris with high living costs or any other tier-two French city with comparatively lower living costs.
This guide will help Indian students in choosing the best cities to Study in France for pursuing high quality education, whilst enjoying Desi delicacies like Maggi noodles and sizzling spicy samosas in France.
Comprehensive details about best French cities, based upon on living expenditure, lifestyle, academic quality, cultural richness and employment opportunities. An all-inclusive guide that help local students to pick budget-friendly French cities as per individual financial capacity.
How we analyze the Best French Cities
In the process of ranking best French cities for Indian students, we adopt five crucial parameters to assess and analyze the cities, including Campus France data and QS Best Student Cities Index. We emphasize on the following parameters.
| Criterion | Weight | What We Evaluate |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Quality & Strength | 30% | University rankings; number of English‑taught programs |
| Affordability | 25% | Living‑cost benchmarks for students; annual tuition fees for postgraduate degrees |
| Employability Aspect | 20% | Availability of part‑time work and graduate jobs; depth and quality of industry internships |
| Quality of Life | 15% | Lifestyle factors (recreation, culture); personal safety and overall city vibrancy |
| Convenience & Connectivity | 10% | Air, rail, and local transport links to other European hubs; internet availability and reliability |
Take first step towards your Study Abroad Journey
10 Best Cities to Study in France for Indian Students
Paris – A Global City
- Paris is home to renowned institutions like HEC, ESSEC, PSL and Sorbonne. It accommodates 350,000 students (20% overseas students).
- But the living expenses are relatively on higher side, an Indian student need £1350 – £1800 to survive in the city.
- Many Indian students in the past have secured prestigious internships at LVMH, Station F and BNP Paribas. Paris, being the hub of industries, offers lucrative career prospects for international student post studies.
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Why Paris is Ultimate Destination for Indian Students
- Paris is fashion capital of Europe and offers sophisticated lifestyle. It is home to world famous Eiffel Tower, it accommodate a substantial international student strength.
- Paris has direct flights to New Delhi and Mumbai, offering convenience of travelling to Indian students.
- Moreover, Indian students can apply for scholarships such as, Eiffel Excellence Scholarship and Charpak Scholarship in all institutions of Paris
- Paris has sizeable Indian community, students can visit Gurudwaras, ISKCON temple and play cricket with local clubs.
Useful Tip
Although Paris has world-class restaurants and exceptional cuisine, but we recommend Indian students to dine at CROUS canteens for budget-friendly food. Students can also enjoy studying on the bank of the River Seine.
Toulouse – Aerospace Hub & Scenic Modern Buildings
- Toulouse is renowned worldwide for pink buildings, a rare architectural style that glows during sunset. Indian students can opt for aerospace engineering, embedded systems and space law studies.
- The monthly expenditure lies between €900 – €1100, comparatively cheaper than Paris.
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- Many Indian students prefer Toulouse for pursuing engineering, especially aerospace engineering. Moreover, students are earning €18 per hour by offering English tutorials to local children.
- Toulouse is a peaceful and welcoming city with numerous cultural activities, especially the flamenco dance on Thursdays.
Useful Tip
Indian students must take €15 yearly membership for Vèlo Toulouse Bike Pass, as It Is convenient and much more affordable than other forms of transportation.
Lyon – Tech Hub & Gastronomic Heaven
- Another Top-tier French city with the nickname of Capital of Gauls, renowned for its culinary.
- Major academic institutions are, INSA, EM Lyon, Ècole Centrale and Vetagro Sup. Indian students can live a comfortable life with monthly budget ranging between €1000 – €1200.
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What’s for Indian Students?
- The city has robust transportation with two metro lines, allowing students to explore the city conveniently.
- Internationally renowned companies like Amadeus and UbiSoft often hire students as interns.
- Indian students can opt for shared apartments starting at €350 per month at Villeurbanne.
Useful Tip
Indian students should buy €25 museum card to visit innumerable museums, especially the Lumière Film Institute, a haven for film lovers and media students.
Montpellier – Sunshine & Start-Up Epicenter
- One of the brightest French cities with sunshine almost throughout the year. It is considered as student-city, as 1 person out of 4 is a student. It offers affordable transportation, students can purchase €32 monthly pass for tram, including beach access.
- For Indian students, Montpellier is a student city with warm weather.
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- Montpellier Is home to Biotech industries and animation start-ups, which offers internships to many overseas students.
- Private rentals are affordable, beach apartments are available for €500 per month. Students can enjoy the Mediterranean climate with frequent visits to beautiful beaches.
Useful Tip
Indian students must download ‘TaM’ app for accurate information of trams availability in English language.
Lille – Well-Connected & Young City
The city hosts institutions like EDHEC & Centrale Lille. Rents are as low as €380 per month with all utilities. The city is just 1 hour journey to Paris and 90 minutes to London.
Why Indian Students Choose Lille
- The city has a good industrial presence, with energy and finance industries, students get the opportunity of internship.
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- The Carnival of Dunkirk is like a Holi festival, dancing and enjoying all through the day.
- Every first Sunday of the month, students can visit the museums free of cost.
Useful Tip
Always visit the local museums on the first Sunday of the month, as they are free for all.
Grenoble – Pristine Nature & Technology
- Living cost is much cheaper than other French cities, Indian students can endure within a monthly budget of €950 – €1150.
- The Nanotech research center is based in the city at Minatec.
- Paris is mere 03 hours journey via train .
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Why Indian students prefer living in Grenoble
- Grenoble Is surrounded by stunning natural alps, perfect for outdoor activities.
- Little India at Rue Hoche has many Indian stores, students can easily get Indian spices and other local delicacies.
- With presence of world-class Nano labs, Indian students can participate in futuristic research activities at advanced laboratories.
- Skiing resorts are scattered all over the place.
Useful Tip
Indian students can purchase €50 ski pass to get access to Chamrousse ski resort, ideal for leisure and relaxation.
Bordeaux – French Wine Capital & Tech-Savvy City
- The city is renowned for wine culture, luxury brands management and data science.
- Maximum living expenditure does not go beyond €1000 per month.
- Ample part-time jobs are available at vineyards, paying €12 per hour to Indian students.
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Why Indian students prefer Bordeaux
- Apart from rich wine culture, the city has rapidly emerging as tech-savvy region.
- The team services are cheaper, €30 per month is what students pay.
- Indian students can visit the prosperous wine industry and emerging start-up ecosystem of the city.
Rennes – Combination of Technology & Celtic Culture
- The city is known for the driverless metro, bus services are usually free of charge on weekends.
- Indian students can enjoy Bollywood-themed nights at the Diapason student center.
- Students can pursue advanced courses in Cybersecurity and Fashion Technology.
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Why Choose Rennes
- The city has vibrancy of modernity with cultural influence.
- Food at Crêpe restaurants is inexpensive and pocket-friendly to Indian students.
- The well-established fashion industry and tech scene offers numerous internships to students.
Useful Tip
Always ask for ‘Menu Ètudiant’ at Crêpe restaurants, as it provides affordable and customized meals to students.
Nice – Stunning Beaches & Emerging Tech Scene
- The city is home to the tech hub, Sophia Antipolis, just a few miles away from the main city.
- It boasts world-class institutions like, EDHEC and Cotê d’Azur.
- Indian students can go for shared residences for €650
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City’s Specialty
- Nice is rapidly growing as the technology hub of the region, apart from offering stunning natural beaches.
- The tourism and AI industry offers professional roles to students.
- The city boasts a balanced lifestyle, students can pursue top-notch education whilst enjoying natural surroundings.
Useful Tip
Indian students must buy €20 pass for unlimited access to buses, beach entrance and ski resorts.
Nantes – Innovative & Eco-Friendly
- Probably the only French city to adopt sustainable practices, it has completely banned plastic products
- Indian students can explore the neighboring country of Ireland via ferries
- The institution provides top-class education in Robotics and Marine Engineering
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Why Indian Students Choose Nantes
- The city is renowned for its cultural scene and rich heritage.
- International students receive free complimentary items like, sim card, a map and €10 worth meal voucher at the airport.
- Marine industry and tech companies often hire students.
Useful Tip
Indian students should get the welcome kit at the airport after they land in Nantes.
Living Consts in Different Cities in France
| City | Specialty | Signature Experience | Est. monthly living cost (€) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris | Sophistication | Study at renowned institutions | € 1 200 – 1 800 |
| Toulouse | Aerospace engineering | Airbus manufacturing plant visit | € 800 – 1 000 |
| Lyon | Food & Engineering | Open‑air riverside markets | € 900 – 1 200 |
| Grenoble | Alps scenery & Nanotech | Skiing in the surrounding Alps | ~€ 900 – 1 050 (avg ≈ € 906) |
| Montpellier | Start‑up ecosystem & Life Sciences | Tram‑to‑beach lifestyle | € 700 – 1 000 |
| Bordeaux | Wine culture & Fin‑tech | Vineyard tours & production | € 850 – 1 100 |
| Lille | EU politics & Business Mgmt. | Day‑trip to three capitals | € 750 – 1 000 |
| Rennes | Cultural richness & Cyber‑security | Celtic music festivals | € 540 – 650 |
| Nice | AI, Tourism & Hospitality | Côte d’Azur beachfront life | € 1 000 – 1 300 (rent € 250–1 100 + food/transport) |
| Nantes | Marine Engineering | Famous Mechanical‑Elephant parade | ~€ 700 (rent € 250–550, food € 200, transport € 50) |
Steps to Choose Appropriate French City
Indian students must always check their preferences and academic choices before opting for any French city. However, we recommend everyone to follow the steps before choosing a French city.
- Academic Course: Choose city as per your academic pursuance, for engineering go for Nantes, Grenoble, for Aerospace, Toulouse is best, and Paris is good for Luxury brands management and Fashion studies.
- Budget Limitations: Always choose a French city as per your financial condition.
- Jobs Availability: Lookout for cities that offer lucrative part-time jobs.
- Choose as per your Needs: If you’re looking for some specific needs in France, such as temples or beaches, go for cities that provides it.
Sridhar Kongara
