Finding accommodation

Your number one objective after registering is to find accommodation and that can be quite a challenge! Especially in Bordeaux. Here are a few tips to help you in your search.

Photo : University Residence hall on the Bastide campus © Olivier Got - University of Bordeaux
University Residence hall on the Bastide campus © Olivier Got - University of Bordeaux
  • Visit our student housing platform.
  • Check out the accommodation guide: advice, types of housing, budget, supporting documents generally required for applications...
  • Find out if you're eligible for student accommodation aid.

Our must-read guide provides valuable advice on how to optimise your search and to get ready for visiting accommodations.

Student housing guide

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Studapart: the online student housing platform

The University of Bordeaux has a partnership with the online housing platform, Studapart, providing students access to hundreds of exclusive offers for 1- to 24 month-periods, close to your campus as well as all over France for internships: studios, flatshares, homestays… You can also benefit from personalised support throughout your rental/stay! Just create an account for access to the offers, checked and updated in real time.

From rental application file through to booking the accommodation, all the steps are completed online. The rental application is simplified and 100% digital. You can also benefit from services after booking, such as home insurance or assistance with your CAF application.

  • Accommodation offered exclusively to University of Bordeaux students
  • Verified ads and secure payment
  • Simplified rental application and 100% online procedures

Please note: thanks to the Studapart guarantee, Studapart can be your guarantor for the duration of your rental (for a service fee). To be eligible for it, just submit your ID and proof of admission on the platform.

Contacts

  • Studapart

    A multilingual team at your disposal

    booking%40studapart.com

  • Student Life Centre (BVE)

    BVEs will help you find accommodation

    bve.logement%40u-bordeaux.fr

Register on the Studapart platform

To get started, click on "Tenant Space" and create an account with your login provided by the university or with your personal e-mail address: 

  • New students: with your personal e-mail address + the HOUSINGUBDX activation code
  • Already a University of Bordeaux student: with your IDNUM login

Visit the platform

Types of accommodation in Bordeaux Metropole

University accommodation (CROUS)

You may want to benefit from a fully-equipped accommodation at a reasonable price near campus. Rent varies depending on the type of accommodation and residence.

CROUS university residences include services, provided by staff 7 days a week, which are covered by your rent. 

International students are eligible for CROUS housing only for graduate (Master/Doctorate) students. Applications can only be made as from early July during the complementary phase on messervices.etudiant.gouv.fr.

For more info, visit the CROUS website (in French)

The rates for each type of accommodation are listed on the CROUS website (in French). 

Contact

  • CROUS Bordeaux - Aquitaine

    18 rue du Hamel
    33000 Bordeaux

    +33 (0)5 56 33 92 17

    logements.dse%40crous-bordeaux.fr

Apply for CROUS accommodation

To apply, complete the Student Social Application (DSE). 
The application must be submitted before May of each year, even before taking the baccalauréat or other exams.

Apply

Social housing landlords

To benefit from social housing, you must meet certain allocation criteria, particularly in terms of income. 
The allocation process can be lengthy, so it is advisable to plan well in advance.

First, you must apply for social housing online on the website demande-logement-social.gouv.fr (in French). There is a single standard application for all social landlords. As soon as you have been assigned a reference number, a landlord can contact you and propose housing.

Private landlords and residences

To find rentals or flat-shares, visit Studapart, our student housing platform. 
The CROUS also makes ads from private landlords available on the website lokaviz.fr (in French).

Renting a room in a local home, known as a homestay, remains a fairly inexpensive and reassuring solution for students.

Many student residence halls are located near the campuses. In general, they offer additional conveniences (laundry, concierge, etc.). Those ads are also posted on Studapart.

A few tips

  • Regardless of your accommodation, you must provide individual home insurance. It must be taken out with a mutual insurance company, bank or private insurer as soon as you have found the accommodation and before you are given the keys. 
  • Allow for an extra budget for the first month for subscriptions, administration/agency fees, or costs related to equipment required for settling in.
  • Beware of scams on housing websites,
  • Never pay for accommodation listings or visits,
  • Never pay cash and do not pay the rent or the deposit before you have signed the lease. 

Legal assistance

The non-profit organisation Adil de la Gironde offers free advice to students regarding their rights and obligations as tenants. In the event of a legal dispute, they can provide support.

Learn more (in French)

Housing for students with disabilities

Several options

  • You can submit a request for adapted housing through the Crous.
    To do this, you need to complete your Student Social File (« Dossier social étudiant ») and fill out the specific form to be sent by email to the CROUS social service.
  • You can apply for social housing
    Your application will be given priority as a person with a disability.
  • On housing platforms (Lokaviz, Studapart, etc.), filters allow you to select listings offering adapted housing.

Financial aid for housing

Personal Housing Allowance (APL)

As a student, you may qualify for financial aid for housing from the Family Benefits Agency (Caisse d’Allocation Familiale - CAF). The amount of aid varies depending on the type of accommodation (furnished or unfurnished), the rent and your income. 

Learn more (in French)

VISALE guarantee

This service, which is completely free of charge, provides a guarantor for students under 30 years of age. It is a way for you to enhance your rental application and to cover your rent in the event of payment difficulties.

Learn more (in French)

LOCA-PASS advance

You can qualify for this aid if you are a scholarship student who is an apprentice, an intern/trainee or an employee.
It finances your security deposit in the form of a interest-free loan. 

Learn more (in French)

1st rent advance

The Nouvelle-Aquitaine region has set up a '1st rent advance', that can be up to 400€, for students under 30 years of age, enrolled in an academic/training programme in the region.

Learn more (in French)

Equipez-vous d'occasion avec l'association Etu-Récup
The store run by the non-profit Etu'Récup - Montaigne-Montesquieu campus © Etu'Recup

Get equipped on a small budget! 

The non-profit Etu’Récup offers second-hand furniture, household appliances and dishes at very affordable prices.
The organisation also runs different workshops (bike repair and maintenance, sewing, zero waste, woodworking and electronics).

Learn more (in French)

  • Photo University Residence hall on the Bastide campus © Olivier Got - University of Bordeaux
    University Residence hall on the Bastide campus © Olivier Got - University of Bordeaux
  • Photo CROUS University Residence hall, Village 4 in Pessac © Ossabois
    CROUS University Residence hall, Village 4 in Pessac © Ossabois
  • Photo CROUS accommodations are allocated to scholarship students based on social criteria - Ausone Residence in Pessac © Bordeaux-Aquitaine CROUS
    CROUS accommodations are allocated to scholarship students based on social criteria - Ausone Residence in Pessac © Bordeaux-Aquitaine CROUS