France: Blaise-Pascal Universitè

Clermont-Ferrand, France

University: Blaise-Pascal Universitè

Exchange Program: Blaise-Pascal

Application Deadline: March 10 for Fall Semester & October 10 for Spring Semester

VISA Application Information: Embassy of France

France: IUP de Commerce International

Vichy, France

University: IUP de Commerce International

Exchange Program: Blaise-Pascal

Application Deadline: March 10 for Fall Semester & October 10 for Spring Semester

VISA Application Information: Embassy of France

Rennes International School of Business

Rennes, France

University: Rennes International Business School

Exchange Program: Magellan Exchange

Application Deadline: March 10 for Fall Semester & October 10 for Spring Semester

VISA Application Information: Embassy of France

General Information

Location: Called the Hexagon by her citizens, the 6-sided nation of France is bound by the Atlantic and the English Channel to the west, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland and Italy to the east, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and Spain to the southwest.  It is the second largest country in Europe with 58 million inhabitants.  Clermont-Ferrand, with about 300,000 inhabitants, is located in the middle of France, in the region called the Massif Central, which is well-known for its rounded hills and old volcanoes.  Vichy is a resort spa town in the same region.  Brittany, the capital of which is Rennes, is a large peninsula bordered by the English Channel on the north.

Climate: France enjoys a temperate climate, with warm summers and relatively cold winters with occasional snow. Precipitation occurs throughout the year, though summers tend to be drier. While the highest parts of the Alps and Pyrenees remain snow-capped year-round, the Mediterranean Coast affords mild winters and hot, dry summers.

Currency: The official currency is the Euro. Banks are generally open Monday-Friday 9am-noon and 2-4pm.  Federal sales taxes are already included in the price of consumer items, and are currently set at about 20%.

 Transportation: The bus network in Clermont Ferrand is well organized and cost effective. It is cheaper to buy 10 tickets at a time or passes if you need to take the bus often.  Train service in Rennes is fast, efficient and the most economic mode for travel. If you want to travel to other towns, you can take the train (buy your ticket in the travel agency called Aagence Wasteels at a 20% reduction) or the bus. Flying is another option and quite economical.

Living Arrangements:

Clermont-Ferrand
In Clermont-Ferrand, there are two options :
1. Have a room in one of the dormitories near the university.  You usually get a room for yourself (furnished with a bed, desk, closet) and share the bathroom and the kitchen with  other students of your floor.  Costs range from $150 to $450 per month.

2. Find an apartment that you can choose to share with someone. You can find either furnished or non furnished apartments; the average of the apartments in Clermont is quite expensive: between $280 and $425 for 1 or 2 rooms, kitchen and bathroom.  You have to add the costs for electricity and phone.

Rennes
In Rennes, there are no campus residences and students need to find private housing. Costs vary between $275 to $425 per month.

Vichy
In Vichy, a list of apartments for rent can be obtained from the university, with costs between $280 to $450.  Dorm rooms in Vichy generally range from $300 to $425.Living arrangements can be difficult to come by.  The schools assist students in finding housing but it is strongly recommended to arrive a week earlier to secure a place to stay.

Food: The price of the food is almost the same as in the USA; you have to plan between $170 and $250 per month for food if cooking at home. Eating in the university cafeterias will cost between $2.50 and $4 per meal.  French gastronomy is notorious in the world and you can experience several specialities as the cheeses (Bleu d'Auvergne, Cantal), la Potee Auvergnate et la Soupe aux Choux (cabbage and potatoes Soup), or le Pate de Pommes de Terres (sort of potatoes cake) and the daily baked french bread called the Baguette.

Social Activities: In Clermont you will find all the restaurants, bars, pubs, shops, movies in the same area in the center of the town; this is called APlace de Jaude. There are many museums and other interesting places. Outside the city one can enjoy the countryside by going in the Volcanoes National Park (called le Parc Regional des Volcans) and climb up the Puy de Dome, or go to drink natural water in Vichy or Volvic, or go skiing in Super Besse or Le Lioran in the Massif Central (50 minutes drive from town) or go in the gorgeous Alps (5 hours drive).  You can also decide to go swimming in the Atlantic Ocean or the Mediterranean Sea (about 7-hour drive).

The two most important events you can enjoy in Clermont are the Music Festival (Fete de la Musique, on the 21st June of each year in every town or city or village of France) and the International Short Film Festival ( Festival international du Court Metrage, in February or March in Clermont only - it lasts one week and you can enjoy many films from France and many European and foreign countries).  Rennes is a historic city with 15th-16th century Renaissance and medieval houses, cafes, cathedrals, boutiques and crepe houses. There are different festivals organized throughout the year. Interesting places to visit would be the Rennes' Musée de Beaux-Arts that displays the country's best collections of paintings outside Paris, the t Musée de Bretagne, the Thabor Garden which presents rare trees and fine fountains.