Finding a place to live is your first step toward successful integration. In France, your address is more than just a home—it is a requirement for your Visa and administrative setup.

Y ou have three main options to live in Dijon. With the CROUS (university residences), in the International Student Residence, or in privately rented (shared) housing. Click on the links below for more info.

CROUS Residence

International Student Residence

Shared Housing

The Essential Checklist

Before you arrive, ensure you have digital and physical copies of:

• Identification: Birth certificate and passport.

• Visa Validation: Your official student visa or VLS-TS.

• The Guarantor (Visale): Most landlords require a “guarantor.” We highly recommend applying for Visale , a free government service that acts as your guarantor.

Whichever one you choose, you can apply to the CAF (Caisse d’Allocations Familiales) for housing allowance. Almost all international students are eligible for Personalized Housing Assistance (APL). This can significantly reduce your monthly rent.  Click on the link below to find the step-by-step procedure.

Housing Allowance (CAF)

In France, insurance is mandatory . You cannot collect your keys without it. We recommend checking student-friendly providers like ADH, SMENO, or your local bank. Click the insurance link to get a few ideas on where to subscribe to insurance for your room in France.

Insurance

The ICM course leaders also provided people in the past with a letter stating that they were accepted and would be housed on campus, and in many cases this was sufficient for initial visa applications. You should contact them if you are in this situation. Students needing a fixed address quickly for their visa application are advised to apply to the International Student Residence (as a “non-CIEF” student). The CROUS is much cheaper and on campus, (the International Student Residence is 2 tram-stops away), but you won’t have confirmation that you have a CROUS room before the end of August, even though rooms are set aside every year and reserved for incoming international students. From our experience, communication with the CROUS can also be difficult at times, notably before you arrive in Dijon.

Once you have read it all and found your perfect fit, enjoy living in Dijon!