Student Guide — Bordeaux
Bordeaux is one of France's most attractive student cities with approximately 100,000 students. A UNESCO World Heritage city, the Gironde metropolis attracts students with its architecture, proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, and cultural dynamism. The cost of living, however, has been rising steadily.
Housing in Bordeaux: studio 400 to 680 €/month, CROUS average 262 €
| Type of housing | Average monthly rent |
|---|---|
| CROUS residence room | 262 € (average) |
| Private studio (centre / Chartrons) | 600 € – 800 € |
| Private studio (Talence / campus) | 400 € – 650 € |
| Shared room (colocation) | 400 € – 550 € |
The average rent for a student in the Bordeaux private market is approximately 590 € in 2025, up +4.8% in one year. CROUS residences average 262 €/month (+3.26%). 70% of students use public transport to commute to their place of study.
Food
- CROUS meal: 3.30 € (1 € for scholarship students)
- Grocery budget: 200 € – 270 €/month
- The Marché des Capucins ('the belly of Bordeaux') offers fresh produce at good prices.
Estimated monthly budget in Bordeaux
| Item | Minimum | Average | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (studio alone) | 400 € | 560 € | 680 € |
| CROUS housing | 220 € | 262 € | 350 € |
| Food | 150 € | 200 € | 270 € |
| Transport | 20 € | 35 € | 50 € |
| Miscellaneous | 50 € | 80 € | 150 € |
| Total (private sector) | 820 € | 1,075 € | 1,350 € |
Transport: TBM Pass Jeune 20.80 €/month, tram + bus + bike network
TBM Network
The TBM (Transports Bordeaux Métropole) network includes 4 tramway lines (A, B, C, D), an extensive bus network, BatCub river shuttles, and the V3 bicycle service.
Pass Jeune (11–27 years old) — September 2025 rates
| Subscription | Price |
|---|---|
| Monthly Pass Jeune | 35.10 €/month |
| Annual Pass Jeune | 20.80 €/month (i.e. ~249.60 €/year) |
The Annual Pass Jeune is the most advantageous for students: unlimited validations on the entire TBM network.
Bordeaux: 100,000 students, Talence campus one of the largest in Europe
- Université de Bordeaux: science, health, law, economics — Talence, Carreire, Victoire campuses (~55,000 students)
- Université Bordeaux Montaigne: arts, languages, humanities — Pessac campus
- Sciences Po Bordeaux: institute of political studies — Pessac campus
- Bordeaux INP (ENSEIRB-MATMECA, ENSC, ENSCBP): engineering schools — Talence campus
- KEDGE Business School: business school — Talence campus
- Bordeaux Sciences Agro: agricultural school — Gradignan campus
CROUS Bordeaux-Aquitaine: university residences on Talence campus
- Headquarters: 18 rue du Hamel, CS 11616, 33080 Bordeaux Cedex
- Phone: 05 56 33 92 17
- Website: crous-bordeaux.fr
- Apply via DSE on trouverunlogement.lescrous.fr
Préfecture de la Gironde: residence permit renewal by online appointment
- Address: 2 Esplanade Charles de Gaulle, 33000 Bordeaux
- Hours: Monday to Friday 8h30 – 12h30 / 13h30 – 15h45
- Phone: 05 56 90 60 60
- Website: gironde.gouv.fr
Key administrative addresses
CPAM de la Gironde (Health Insurance)
- Reception Bordeaux Grand-Parc: rue des Frères Portmann, Place de l'Europe, 33300 Bordeaux
- Phone: 36 46
- Website: ameli.fr
CAF de la Gironde (Family Benefits)
- Reception Bordeaux Centre: rue du Château d'Eau, 33000 Bordeaux
- Phone: 32 30
- Website: caf.fr