Living & studying in Montpellier
Montpellier, a young, cosmopolitan city, is an ideal destination for students. Located in the south of France, close to the Mediterranean Sea, it enjoys a sunny climate all year round. Renowned for its rich university heritage, it welcomes nearly 70,000 students to its universities and grandes écoles every year. Here’s a practical guide to help you settle in and enjoy student life in Montpellier. With a population of over 225,000 (500,000 including its conurbation), Montpellier is a student city par excellence. Its university history dates back to 1289 with the founding of its university, which today comprises :
University of Montpellier: www.umontpellier.fr
Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier 3: www.univ-montp3.fr
The IAE is one of the components of the University of Montpellier.
Montpellier is one of the campuses of excellence selected as part of the Campus Plan, reinforcing its international appeal.
Getting to and around Montpellier
Montpellier is located in the southern half of France, in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. It is 1? hours from the Spanish border, 3 hours from Barcelona and 3? hours by train from Paris. Montpellier is easily accessible:
By train 🚄
Only 3h30 from Paris by high-speed train (TGV), and 3 hours from Barcelona.
By plane ✈️
Montpellier-Méditerranée Airport offers both domestic and international flights.
By car 🚘
Montpellier is well connected to major French and European cities.
Getting around Montpellier
Montpellier offers an efficient public transport network, ideal for students. The TaM network includes four streetcar lines and numerous buses, making it easy to reach the city’s various campuses and neighborhoods.
Accès à l’IAE Montpellier
The IAE is particularly well served by tramway line 1, with the Universités des Sciences et Lettres stop just a few minutes’ walk away. Several bus routes complete the service, facilitating access from other student neighborhoods.
Alternative solutions
In addition to public transport, Montpellier offers practical alternatives such as Vélomagg’, a bicycle rental service, and advantageous subscriptions for students. Thanks to these varied options, getting around the city is simple, quick and economical.
Finding accommodation : The IAE France housing platform
📍 Accommodation close to campus
With IAE geolocation on the platform, you have access to:
- More than 100,000 offers in France
- 5,000 housing units located less than 15 minutes from campus
🔄 A collaborative network for students
- Post your rental, flat-sharing or subletting ads.
- Transfer your accommodation to another IAE student.
- Exchange directly with landlords
📝 How to register?
First-time login: Use the campus code: IAE-France*17
You can sign in using:
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Email address
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Google Connect
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Facebook
🔗 Need help? Check the registration guide available on the platform.
🏠 Access to CROUS student housing
Once your application is complete and approved, you may be eligible for CROUS scholarships based on your social criteria, as well as for housing in CROUS student residences.
The platform https://trouverunlogement.lescrous.fr/ will help you find the most suitable option for your needs.
⚠️ Note: Moving into a CROUS residence does not exempt you from completing standard rental setup procedures, such as choosing an electricity provider and signing your lease contract.
🛡️ Home insurance: a legal requirement!
The Visale guarantee does not replace home insurance.
Every student is legally required to take out home insurance for their accommodation.
It covers: fire, water damage, theft, etc.
Without insurance, the student is personally responsible for any damages or losses.
💡 Student-friendly insurance plans are available from providers like SMENO.
Student job
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CROUS EMPLOI – JOBAVIZCROUS assists students in their job search with its Jobaviz platform, which lists student job offers in your region. |
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StaffMe: Flexible and Well-Paid Student JobsStaffMe is a digital platform that connects young freelancers with companies in need of temporary support — perfect for students looking to earn income on their own schedule. ✅ Why choose StaffMe?
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🏢 CROUS Montpellier Services
CROUS supports student life by offering a wide range of services, including:
Scholarships, housing, dining, culture, employment, and social support
📌 CROUS Main Reception
⏰ Open Monday to Friday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
📍 Access: Tram Line 1 – Boutonnet stop
📞 +33 4 67 41 50 00
📠 Fax: +33 4 67 04 26 96
📌 Call Center – Scholarships & Housing
⏰ Available Monday to Friday, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
📞 +33 4 67 41 50 40
📍 Address:
2, rue Monteil
34033 Montpellier Cedex 1 – France
📧 Email: accueil@crous-montpellier.fr
🏨 Student Assistance for Health Insurance (Mutuelles)
Healthcare expenses can be a major concern for many students, especially those on a tight budget. To help with this, several financial aid solutions exist to reduce the cost of supplementary health insurance (“mutuelles”).
One of the most well-known options is the Complémentaire Santé Solidaire (CSS).
This program is intended for individuals with modest incomes and allows for full or partial coverage of health insurance costs.
Students who receive grants or are in a financially vulnerable situation are often eligible.
Some local governments (regions, municipalities) also offer specific subsidies.
Additionally, many insurance providers adapt their offers to suit students’ needs.
Providers like ADH offer special plans designed for young people, with lower rates and coverage tailored to student life.
To make the most of these options, it is recommended to get informed early in the academic year and compare the available plans.
🏊️ Sports Activities
The SUAPS (University Sports Service) offers over 30 different sports across a wide range of facilities located throughout Montpellier and its surrounding towns.
ℹ️ More info: http://www.umontpellier.fr/vie-etudiante/sport/
🏠 Student Housing Fair (City of Montpellier)
Each year, during July, August, and September, the City of Montpellier organizes a student housing fair at the Belvédère Hall in the Corum Conference Center.
🎟️ Free entry – Students are welcomed by advisors who can help with all administrative steps related to finding housing.
💡 On-site services include:
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Free consultation of housing offers
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Access to telephones, computers, and internet kiosks – all available in self-service
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Support from multiple partners: City of Montpellier, CAF, LMDE, CROUS, LCL, and many more key players in student life
📍 Youth Information Center (CRIJ – Centre Régional Information Jeunesse)
The CRIJ welcomes and informs students about housing, employment, health, and more.
📍 Address:
3 avenue Charles Flahault
34094 Montpellier CEDEX 5 – France
📞 04 67 04 36 66 / 04 67 54 66 71
🕒 Opening hours:
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Monday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM & 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
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Tuesday to Thursday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM & 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
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Friday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM & 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
💼 Social Support at the University of Montpellier (UM)
Social workers are available to help students with professional, personal, and family-related concerns. They offer guidance, support, and referrals depending on your situation.
ℹ️ Address:
University of Montpellier – Triolet Campus
Place Eugène Bataillon
Building 20
34095 Montpellier Cedex 5 – France
🏥 University Health Center (CSU)
Since September 2016, the University Health Center of Montpellier (CSU) has been offering students high-quality healthcare and a personalized care pathway.
Services offered:
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General medicine
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Gynecology
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Psychology
💳 100% coverage of costs with your student ID, health insurance card (Carte Vitale), and mutual insurance – no upfront payments required.
👨⚕️ A consulting doctor is available for personalized guidance and referrals.
📍 Access to tailored care based on individual needs.
ℹ️ More information available on the University of Montpellier website.
🏡 Visale Housing Guarantee (formerly Clé – Lokaviz Student Rental Guarantee)
Visale is a free housing guarantee service that covers unpaid rent for student accommodations costing up to €1,200/month.
📚 The application must be completed online before signing the lease.
✅ Visale can be combined with other housing aid programs like APL, Mobili-Jeune, and Loca-Pass.
ℹ️ Apply via the official Visale platform: https://www.visale.fr
🚀 Espace Montpellier Jeunesse (Montpellier Youth Center)
This youth center provides help with:
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Employment and training
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Housing support
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Leisure and volunteer opportunities
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Legal advice and assistance with CVs and cover letters
💻 Free internet access and digital tools available on site.
📍 Address: 6 rue Maguelone, 34000 Montpellier (Tram stop: Gare Saint-Roch)
📞 04 67 92 30 50 / Fax: 04 67 92 36 82
⏰ Opening hours:
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Monday to Friday: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
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During school holidays: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
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