In a moment of spontaneity, I packed my bags and decided to sign up for a language program and go to Paris alone for 8 weeks. Through the language school I was able to make housing accommodations at La Cité internationale Universitaire de Paris (http://www.ciup.fr/en/). I stayed at La Fondation Hellenique in a single room. The bathroom is shared by the floor (basically it's a college dorm with a communal kitchen and washing machines). The proximity to the metro AND the tram (for those hungover/lazy days) was also pretty awesome! Tram being right outside my door and the metro 2 blocks away. _______________________ WARNING: If you do decide to stay at the Cite-U, make sure NOT to arrive on a Sunday or past 17:00h Monday-Saturday because you will be locked out (you have to be given the key by your individual house's receptionist). Make sure once you know which house you will be staying in, to CALL the house and ask them their hours and inform them of your arrival! ________________________ Moving on, My fear of being the anti-social American loner rejected by the French was gone by my 2nd day in Paris! Every night we'd drink wine and sit on the steps of the house and gather a big group. By the end of my stay our group had grown to around 25 people. On nice days, we'd sit tan on the quad and at nights we'd party at other houses. The dining hall food was pretty good for what you paid for it, but there are also a bunch of supermarkets by the port d'orleans train stop. AVOID the Lidl. read more

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I remember when I first arrived here back in 2008 I was a little shocked by the simplicity of the place but it definitely grew on me. What great times we had here! I had come to Paris to study the French language for a month. The people at the front desk spoke broken English (probably on par with my French) so make sure you know your basics. It is very dorm like - shared bathrooms and kitchens but it all adds to the wonderful experience. Very convenient location. There are grocery stores, restaurants, the metro and the bus within minutes. Oh, I miss those days dearly! read more

Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris - University Housing Near Me - Paris, 75

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I lived here in 2004. I had the best time of my life studying in Paris and living at the Cite with all my new friends . The food isn't so bad and the parties - what can I say - they were AMAZING. I miss la Cite but I intend to go back to visit old friends and the Maison I stayed in read more

3.5 stars My daughter just completed her semester abroad in Paris and stayed in this dorm. The plus side is that there is a Metro/RER stop directly across from the dorm. This makes travel soooo easy! Also - the security in the dorm is very good. She was there during the attacks and they may have beefed it up, but when I went to visit her, there was a very attentive guard on duty and he wasn't letting anyone in without id, etc. I felt super safe with her there. Also - the size of the room is great! Pretty big with a small sink. There is also a common kitchen that was nice for her to use. The downside is that the dorm room is ugly. Very ugly and dark. Sort of depressing. The bathroom situation is undesirable. The showers are ancient and you have to keep pressing a knob every 30 seconds to keep the water flowing. And - it's a pretty long metro ride into the center of Paris. All in all, it was a good experience. read more

Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris - University Housing Near Me - Paris, 75

I was a lucky lucky, lucky man and was able to study abroad in Paris. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life and while I was a Parisian student this was my home. each building is different and represents the country that has sponsored it. The furnishings are modest, communal showers, bathrooms and kitchens. In the building I was in there was a laundry room that was quite reasonable, as well as a computer room. Let me tell you, as an American using a French keyboard, it took a day or two of getting used it. Emails back to the states were short. Each dorm had a sink and a small fridge, a desk and lamp with a chair, a bed and a dresser. It was all that we needed. My window over looked the courtyard and it is one of my favorite places in the world because for a short time it was home. The grounds are beautiful. I've never felt more at home. The metro is right across the street and there are a lot of places to eat that are walking distance. There is also a rail that runs pretty frequently. read more