As a scholarship recipient, you may be accommodated in one of the two Campus France residences: Montparnasse or Rollin. Both are located in the heart of Paris, and each has its own story to discover
The Montparnasse neighbourhood
Montparnasse is located in Southern Paris and has been the beating heart of intellectual and cultural life in Paris in the early 20th century. This neighbourhood attracted many famous artists, whether French or not, among which Pablo Picasso, Fernand Léger, Henri Matisse and Guillaume Apollinaire.
Today, it is still a major place for art life in Paris, boasting many theatres and cinemas, bars and restaurants, and the legendary "rue de la gaité", a name that speaks for itself (Joy Street) and reflects the vitality of cultural (and night) life of the neighbourhood.
The story of the building
Famous individuals lived in the building that is now a student residence. In the late 19th century, Camille Claudel's family lived there. She even took her first sculpting lessons in the Montparnasse neighbourhood. A few years late, painter John Singer Sargent, who painted among others the famous portrait of Auguste Rodin, lived in the building too.
In the 50's, the ground floor hosted the bar of the Hôtel des Etats-Unis that saw many jazz gigs play.
The residence today
The 7-floors building was renovated in 2009. It boasts 24 studio apartments fully equipped, furnished and decorated in the modern taste, built with high end materials. One of the studios, located on the ground floor, is designed to host students with reduced mobility.
Residents are fully independent and have access from reception service and a self-service paying laundry room. Services offered include a cleaning service once per week (sheets, towels and full cleaning).
The studio apartments
Studio apartments include a bathroom, toilets, a fully equipped kitchen (refrigerator, hotplates), a sofa bed and a safe. A coffee-maker, a kettle and cutlery and sauce pans are also available.
Studio apartments are also equipped with a telephone with unlimited access in France. They have Wi-Fi and various TV channels.
Must-know locations around the residence
Le Lucernaire is a lively location boasting a restaurant, a bar, a theatre and a cinema. Cheap prices.
Fondation Cartier a hub for modern creation offering temporary exhibitions. Events are also held, such as the "nomadic evenings" on Thursday night featuring concerts, performances and readings.
Alliance Française de Paris is one of the most important centres to learn French language as a foreigner. It also features a multimedia resource centre, a theatre, a restaurant with Wi-Fi and a bookshop.
The Montparnasse residence is located at 135, boulevard du Montparnasse in the 6th "arrondissement" of Paris.
You can go there by metro using line 4 to Vavin stop, by RER train to Port-Royal stop or by bus 38, 68, 82, 83, 91 and night bus "Noctilien" 61, 62, 63.
The reception is open from Monday to Friday from 7 pm to 10 pm; on weekends and holidays from 8 am to 10 pm. You can contact the residence by phone at +331 80 06 86 60.
Rollin Residence
The Latin Quarter
Located in Southern Paris, the Latin Quarter draws its name from the Latin language, which was still used in medieval universities and schools built in the neighbourhood.
Even today, the Latin Quarter is still full with students and teachers. This is where the historical Sorbonne building, but also the Panthéon, Assas and Jussieu universities. You will find a very lively nightlife with many cafes, bars and restaurants with affordable prices.
The story of the building
In this building, now a student residence for Campus France, lived philosopher René Descartes during his stays in Paris in the 17th century. The plate fixed on the entrance door was placed in 1987 to celebrate the 350 years of the Discourse on the Method.
Rooms
The residence has four floors. It features 40 rooms with bathroom, toilets, a single bed, a desk and a cupboard. Sheets and blankets are provided.
There is a shared kitchen at each floor.
The Rollin residence is located at 14 rue Rollin in the 5th "arrondissement" of Paris.
In public transports, you can reach it by metro on line 7 (Place Monge stop) or line 10 (Cardinal Lemoine), or by bus 47.
The reception is open from Monday to Friday, from 08:30 am to 12:30 pm. You can contact the residence by phone at +331 55 42 64 64.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: the Rollin residence will be close starting on July 2018 due to full renovations.
