Top Student Cities in France for International Students

France is home to thousands of international students in all disciplines, due to its multicultural influences and high-quality education at an appropriate cost. Whether iconic landmarks draw you, student life vibrates, or you can study in famous cities in France, choosing the right place to live, along with studying, is as important as choosing the right university. 

In this article, we have a look at what are the best student cities in France and rank our top 10 cities in France for students, and why some bigger French cities are so desirable. We also take a look at affordability, academic offerings and quality of life so that potential international students can make an educated decision.

What Makes a Great Student City

Before looking at specific cities, it’s important to define what criteria tend to determine which cities in France international students find best. 

Key factors typically include:

• Academic institutions have strengths and a range that includes universities and specialized schools, plus grandes écoles.
• Food, transport, and housing are all living costs. Utilities represent living expenses, too.
• Student associations, as well as cultural amenities, plus safety, affect student life during leisure.
• Transport connectivity, whether international, national, or local.

• International friendliness and attention to non-French speakers
• Job or Internship offers during and after the study period

Top 10 Student Cities in France in 2025 Ranking

A well-known ranking by L’Étudiant in 2025 assessed 47 French cities which all counted more than 8,000 students. It ranked institutions according to an array of factors reflecting educational provision, quality of life, student experience, economic contributions, and appeal to international students.

According to that ranking, the Top 10 cities for students in France are:

1. Toulouse.
2. Besançon 
3. Montpellier 
4. Rennes
5. Caen
6. Grenoble
7. Lyon
8. Nantes
9. Strasbourg
10. Nancy

Highlights of Key Student Cities in France

Here’s a closer look at some of those cities, as well as a few others, and what makes them appealing to international students.

Affordable Student Cities

If price is an issue and for a lot of international students it certainly is, some cities in France are good to visit to study, do internships or travel, while others are better to actually live in. Some cities, like Limoges, have more recently been among the cheapest places for students. The average rent there is much cheaper than in Paris.

There are other cities like Lille, Rouen, Bordeaux, and Toulouse where both the cost of living and academic opportunity are not high, but the standard of study is acceptable.

Famous Cities in France vs. Student-Friendly Cities

It is important to make the distinction between known French cities (tourist havens, historical capitals, and cultural strongholds) and student-friendly cities in France. There is some overlap, but not always a perfect correlation.

• Renowned Cities: Paris, Nice, Marseille, Bordeaux, Lyon, Strasbourg. These are world-renowned, such as for art, architecture, cuisine, coastlines, etc.
• Student-friendly cities: Many of the same (Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Montpellier); a few with lower global profile but excellently equipped for students (Besançon, Caen, Rennes, Nancy).

So when you see a list of cities in France and Paris at the top, then keep in mind it may not always be the “best” in terms of finances or student life for you.

Comparison: Major Cities in France 

The following is a comparison of the main cities in France which are also frequently included in the list of international students, on some indicators.

Best Cities in France to Combine Study and Travel

If you also would like to make you study period the moment of a journey and discovery, some cities are really well-positioned to help you do so:

• Strasbourg ‒ close to Germany, Switzerland; train access to neighbouring countries is convenient.
• Lille ‒ is in the north, near Belgium and, UK; useful if you want regular cross-border trips.
• Nice / Marseille ‒ if you like southern France, beaches, and Mediterranean climate – albeit often pricier and seasonal.

• Bordeaux ‒ Gorgeous wine country, not too far from the Atlantic coast – Lots of culture.

FAQs

Ques. 1. Which French city is the cheapest for international students?

Ans: Limoges is frequently recommended as the cheapest big student city. Rent there is far less expensive than in Paris or other big cities. A more affordable cost of living can also be had in cities such as Caen and Besançon, or smaller university towns.

Ques. 2. Is Paris a bad choice for international students because of costs?

Ans: Not bad, but just a little more budget-intensive. Paris is incomparable in many ways — its academic reputation, cultural and professional opportunities — but you will need to be mindful of your budget, particularly with housing and living costs. You can if you get good aid, scholarships, or live in the burbs.

Ques. 3. Do English-taught programs exist in these best student cities in France?

Ans: Yes. These are just a few universities and grandes écoles in the cities of Paris, Lyon, Strasbourg, Bordeaux, Montpellier etc. that offer taught MSc programmes in English. However, there may be fewer undergraduate courses available in English. Also, proficiency in French helps both academically and socially in most cities.

Ques. 4. How important is transport and connectivity in choosing among the top cities in France?

Ans: Very important. There is individual transport for daily life commuting, getting around locally and broader access trips to internships or research sites; trips taken on vacation. Cities like Paris, Lyon, Toulouse, and Strasbourg have good transport networks.  Medium cities have a lower frequency, but most are connected by train (TGV and/or regionals).

Ques. 5. Which top city in France offers the best opportunities for job/internship during studies?

Ans: Cities with large and vibrant economies generally have more internships and jobs available. Examples: Toulouse (aero-tech, engineering), Lyon (business, tech, biotech), Paris (pretty much everything), Grenoble(science, engineering), Bordeaux, and Strasbourg. Your specific field matters — industries have different clusters.