Organise your accommodation

The International Relations Department can help with your accommodation

Centrale Nantes has an ongoing partnership with CROUS and some private residences.
The International Relations Department can thus book accommodation on behalf of new incoming international students. If you are a new incoming international student, the International Relations Department will contact you directly by email by June with regards to your accommodation.

Discover the different accommodation options:

 

Centrale Nantes Residence "Max Schmitt"

A limited number of places are available in the Max Schmitt Residence on campus for:
 

• First year international students on the BBA Big Data & Management (BBA), Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSc) and (incoming) Double Degree Engineering Programme.
• First Year Engineering Programme students admitted via the CentraleSupélec entrance exam

► Learn more about the Centrale Nantes Residence "Max Schmitt"

Other student residences

• CROUS Residences
• Private Residences

Accommodation Platforms

• Studapart platform (Centrale Nantes partner)
• Adele platform (Centrale Nantes partner)
• Lokaviz (CROUS platform for finding accommodation in private homes)

Other options and rental listings

• Colonies
  Centrale Nantes partner Colonies offers coliving and shared accommodation: don't hesitate to mention that you are a Centrale Nantes student to benefit from a reduced rate on application fees!
  Learn more: https://www.livecolonies.com/colocation/nantes
• Intergenerational housing:
  • The Nantes'Renoue association is developing solidarity and/or intergenerational accommodation, mainly in Nantes and the surrounding area.
    Learn more:  https://www.nantesrenoue.com/offres-disponibles/ 
  • Le temps pour toit
  • Colombage cohabitation
• Rental listings:
  • Immojeunes
  • Bienici
  • Se loger
  • La FNAIM
  • You can also visit social networks and groups. We urge you to be extra vigilant to avoid scams.

Where to look for accommodation

Accommodation in Nantes is generally advertised by district or 'quartier'. Here are a number of districts where you may want to focus your attention:
 
 

Administrative procedures and guidance

Guarantor

In most instances, student residences or landlords will ask you to provide a guarantor for your rent in France. A guarantor is legally responsible should you default on your rent. He or she brings financial security to reassure your landlord: with a guarantor at your side, the landlord trusts your ability to fully pay your rent in due time.
 

• VISALE acts as guarantor, free of charge, for students under 31 whose monthly rent is not more than €600/month.
  • More information here in French: https://www.visale.fr
• GARANTME is open to French and international students. Reduced fees for Centrale Nantes students via the partnership with Garantme.
  • Download the brochure
  • https://www.garantme.fr/en/

Insurance

The residence's welcoming office and landlords will hand over room keys if - and only if - you have provided proof of accommodation insurance. A housing insurance certificate is therefore compulsory.

Centrale Nantes has an ongoing close relationship with BNP Paribas bank. They can provide you with housing insurance at a preferential rate, provided you open an account with them. They will send you the insurance certificate before your arrival in Nantes.

► For further information, contact BNP Paribas by email (nantes-50otages4f9009be-2de7-407e-9089-3a7de5337a6f@bnpbaribas.com), or in person at the student branch located at: 3 allée Jean Bart, 44 000 Nantes.

You may also wish to enquire about insurance partnerships offered directly by the residence or other companies, such as:
​​​​​​​

• Studyassur
• MAE
• MAAF
• Macif
• Groupama

Financial support from the CAF

Financial support from the CAF French and international students are eligible to receive financial support (known as APL in French) from the CAF (Caisses d'Allocations Familiales). The CAF is a French government organism that covers part of the monthly cost of rent paid for student accommodation – the allocated amount depends on the type of accommodation and on your income.
Applications are made online and can only be submitted once you have your keys and rent contract.

Follow the CAF procedure in English (last updated for 2018) according to your situation below:
 

• You are staying in a CROUS-run residence (download PDF)
• You are staying in a non-CROUS-run/private residence (download PDF)
• You are staying in an apartment, a furnished house, a studio, a flat share and renting from a landlord (download PDF)

 

• More information on the CAF website (in French)

Digital rental file

A practical tool to put together your digital rental file

• DossierFacile: free government service to help you put together a secure digital rental file for private accommodation (English version)