Bordeaux, in southwestern France, is a fabulous city situated on the Garonne River. The river snakes and curves its way through the city creating a crescent-like area called the Port de la Lune, a marvellous place for strolling, jogging, or cycling. A city of graceful streets made for wandering, elegant in the most French of styles, a place where you can eat well and drink better, lively, dynamic and full of good grace – Bordeaux is a very special city indeed.
Casita is here to make the process of finding your perfect student accommodation in Bordeaux easier. With thousands of options, a completely free of charge service, and a support team that’s available 24/7 for your help, you will surely find the perfect place to call home.
Why Book Student Accommodation in Bordeaux?
Classified as a "City of Art and History” due to its numerous cultural monuments and the rich historical tradition that is still visible through the city’s architecture, Bordeaux is popular for the warm welcome it offers to international students each year. In Bordeaux, students can benefit from excellent education, qualified teachers and cutting edge research activities at affordable prices. The educational offer integrates numerous multidisciplinary study programmes in almost any field you can imagine.
Studying in Bordeaux could be a memorable learning opportunity that places you amidst the romantic views of the French countryside. Not only could you potentially work towards valuable degree credits alongside sprawling vineyards but you might also engage with the culture that distinguishes study abroad opportunities in Bordeaux from other cities.
Universities in Bordeaux
University of Bordeaux
Casita has 5 accommodation options within walking distance to the university.
More than 6 bus stops surround the campus; Jacquet is just a 5-minute walk away.
Monument aux Girondins is just a 16-minute car ride away from campus.
Bordeaux Montaigne University
Our 3 accommodation options are all within walking distance of the university.
There are 3 bus stops close to the university; Ausone is just a 9-minute walk away.
Mur végétal is just a 15-minute car ride away from campus.
Student Life
Is Bordeaux good for students?
The student atmosphere of Bordeaux is perfect for those who want to go there to study. The city is full of international students, you can study, research, or have fun whenever you want, and Bordeaux universities and libraries offer everything that any student needs in their day-to-day life.
Also, according to a recent survey by L’étudiant magazine, Bordeaux is a popular city among students. The proof is that the number of students in Bordeaux increased by 32% between 2010 and 2020. Among them, the proportion of international students has reached 11%.
Is Bordeaux a safe city?
Bordeaux has a lower crime rate than many major British cities. While its crime rate is higher than the smaller surrounding towns, it’s considerably lower than London, for example. Bordeaux’s crime rate is 41.77, compared to London's 62.13.
Must-Visit Places in Bordeaux
On the left bank of the Garonne, you’ll find Place de la Bourse. Bordeaux broke free of its old town walls when this majestic square was built in the 1720s. Louis XV’s favourite architect, Jacques Gabriel, designed it, and the square didn’t take long to become a symbol for the city. You can go up for a closer look to see the mascarons (sculpted faces) beneath the arches of the buildings. You’ll also want to cross the road to the Water Mirror, created by the landscape artist Michel Corajoud. It’s a large pool with little more than a shallow film of water, sometimes veiled by mist, reflecting Place de la Bourse. You can take a fine photo here, and in summer little ones go crazy for the water.
Quais de Bordeaux is also on the left bank of the Garonne; it is hands-down one of the world’s most splendid waterfronts. It’s also part of that 18th-century World Heritage ensemble where the majestic facades of grand neo-classical buildings line a riverside promenade 80 metres wide. Set next to the broad Garonne and crossed by the many arches of Pont de Pierre, there’s a sweeping openness about the spaces here that will imbue your walk or bike ride with some extra finesse. There are benches, flower beds, and lawns below plane trees where you can take it all in.
La Grosse Cloche was built in the 15th century. With its twin conical roofs, is the old belfry for Bordeaux’ town hall. It is one of only a handful of fragments remaining from the city’s mediaeval period and is built on the remnants of the 13th-century Porte Saint-Éloy, a former gate in the old ramparts. This gate once had a small prison for juvenile offenders, and they were kept behind a door ten centimetres thick. You can get a good look at the bell from the below; this dates to 1775 and weighs a hefty 7,750 tons. Although it can be silent for most of the year, Grosse Cloche really comes alive for the big public celebrations, like Bastille Day.
Transportation in Bordeaux
Bordeaux’s tramway can be the best way to get around the city. The tram service consists of three main lines (A, B and C), all of which operate seven days a week from 5 AM to midnight from Sunday to Wednesday, and until 1 AM from Thursday through to Saturday night. A soon-to-be-added fourth line is currently under construction. Trams are very frequent during the day, with services running every 3 to 5 minutes, while in the evening the service slows down slightly and runs every 8 to 15 minutes. Hopping on the tram is particularly wise when travelling longer distances in Bordeaux at rush hour (5 to 7 PM), helping you to avoid traffic.
The city’s bus network is also efficient and easy to use. A single ticket can be used on either a tram or a bus. It is valid for 1 hour and costs around €1.40 (£1.25). Meanwhile, day passes, which allow unlimited travel across all bus routes and tram lines, are available for €4.60 (£4.10). Tickets can be purchased on the bus or at one of the machines on the tramway platform.
You can also use bicycles to get around the city. Bordeaux is a truly bike-friendly city with its narrow streets, wide riverbanks and copious cycle lanes. It even has its own public bike-renting service, called V3, with 1,700 bikes stationed across the city. All you have to do is download the V3 app on your phone, then locate your nearest V3 bicycle point and pick up a bike. The V3 public rental service is perfect for cycling short distances and exploring the city as a visitor. The first 30 minutes are free of charge, after which the cost is just €2 (£1.78) per hour. Also, as cycling is so popular in Bordeaux, renting a higher-quality bike is also refreshingly easy, as there are several reliable bike shops dotted around the city.
Nearby Student Accommodation In France
Casita offers student accommodation in other French cities as well, besides having facilities for student accommodation in Bordeaux, some of these cities are:
Marseille, Nantes, Toulouse, and Paris.