Definitely buy a metro pass as soon as you move to Paris - it will save you loads of money! The Paris Visite travel card gives you unlimited journeys on all Paris Metros, RER, Buses, Trams, SNCF Overland Suburban Trains, and the Montmartre Funicular within zones 1 – 3, which covers the entire of central Paris. You can buy a 1/3/5 day pass depending on how long your stay is. The price increases as the number of days increases, with 29 Euros for the 5 day pass.

You have to have a valid ticket because you could be stopped at any time and if you don’t show your ticket you will be fined 35 euros.

In rush hour, don’t use the folding seats. You should stand to let more people cram into the carriage.

During your year abroad you can buy a weekly/monthly or yearly travel card.

The Metro train system is open from 5:20 a.m. until 1:20 a.m.

There are maps at every station but it’s a good idea to pick up a paper map so you can plan your journeys before. Here is a link to a good metro map: http://www.aparisguide.com/maps/metro.htm

On leaving the metro station (Barbès - Rochechouart) we didn’t make it more the 10 metres into the area. It was surrounded by sleazy men who were staring at us and coming over trying to chat us up. Being three English white young girls we were instantly spotted. We were meant to be visiting an apartment near the Virgin Mega Store to which a landlord had given us directions. When we asked the police at the station where the Virgin Mega Store was, they laughed and said there wasn’t one anywhere around. It was pretty dodgy, so we left very quickly.

Your university might tell you that you don’t need to bother finding a place to live for your year abroad until a couple of weeks before you start your placement. But this is not a good idea if you’re going to Paris. Two friends from my uni and I went out at the beginning of July to find a 3 bedroom apartment with a budget of 800 euros each. This was pretty impossible. We went to several agencies, some good ones to try are Paris Attitude (who we signed a contract with in the end) and Paris Stay. You should also try www.seloger.com , www.pap.fr and www.fusac.fr.