Housing in France: real experience from chats

From real experience

• It is possible to obtain a French student visa using a long-term remote lease agreement signed with an electronic digital signature (EDS). There's a confirmed case where such an agreement with a student residence (e.g., "Les Estudines") was accepted, and the visa was granted. Always verify the landlord thoroughly before making any payments.
• The perception of 18th, 19th, and 20th arrondissements in Paris as universally unsafe is often exaggerated. Paris's safety varies block by block rather than by entire district. These districts contain many quiet, pleasant, and atmospheric neighborhoods. When choosing accommodation, focus on the specific street and immediate surroundings rather than just the arrondissement number. Areas near the Périphérique (ring road) and major transport hubs might be less desirable.
• Airbnb imposes restrictions on users identified as residing in Russia or Belarus. Circumvention methods discussed by users include using a non-RU VPN (accessed after logging out and clearing browser cache), or having a third party residing abroad handle the booking through their account. Russian-registered phone numbers may remain a limitation regardless of IP masking.
• User arriving in Marseille plans to stay for no more than 2 days before traveling to Nice. Seeking recommendations for places to stay en route, information on purchasing train tickets locally, and advice on whether renting a car is necessary to see the most scenic spots.
• When traveling to France with Russian bank cards, booking hotels in advance via platforms like Yandex.Travel or Trip.com is advisable. It is possible to book and pay for hotels on-site using a smartphone and a Russian card. French border control may ask for return tickets, hotel bookings, insurance, and proof of funds. While canceled bookings are sometimes accepted, recent instances suggest stricter checks. Travelers with multi-country itineraries should be truthful about their plans to avoid issues. Violating visa regulations can lead to entry denial or deportation.
• It is possible to book and pay for hotels in France on-site using a smartphone and Russian bank cards through platforms like Yandex.Travel or Trip.com. This method can potentially negate the need for a foreign bank card, provided the booking platforms and payment systems support it in real-time.
• Accidentally locking yourself out of an apartment (e.g., Airbnb) in France can be very expensive. Emergency locksmith services (serrurier) to open a slammed door cost approximately €190. Real estate agencies are usually closed on Sundays, making emergency services the only option.
• For a memorable experience in Etretat, consider staying overnight. Hotel Le rayon vert offers sea views. For dining, Oyster Club is recommended for its 'plate de fruit de mer' (seafood platter).
• Securing rental housing in Paris can be challenging due to requirements for a guarantor and extensive documentation. A service called GarantMe can act as a guarantor, simplifying the process for both tenants and landlords. This is a common solution for individuals facing difficulties in meeting traditional guarantor requirements.
• In France, using a false 'attestation d'hébergement' (proof of accommodation) for official document submission carries severe legal consequences. Both the person providing and the person using the fake document can face criminal charges, including up to 3 years imprisonment and a fine of 45,000 euros. It is crucial to use only genuine proofs of residence.
• Hotels in France almost always charge a local 'taxe de séjour' (city tax) payable on-site during check-in or check-out, which is not always included in the initial booking price on foreign platforms. Domestic aggregators like Yandex Travel often display the total price including these taxes.
• An individual arriving in France on a humanitarian visa needs urgent, very low-cost accommodation. They are seeking a room, small space, or shared housing (coliving) with basic amenities (water, mattress). Previous experience includes work with Navalny's organizations and volunteering for FBK. The budget is extremely limited, and they are looking for any leads or offers to avoid homelessness upon their current accommodation expiring.
• For holders of a Finnish residence permit planning to travel to France: A short-term Schengen visa (Type C) with a valid Finnish residence permit allows travel within Schengen countries for 90/180 days without needing a separate visa, provided the permit remains valid upon return to Finland. If you intend to change residency and your current permit is expiring, you may apply for a French D visa before its expiration. The primary rule for visa applications is to spend the majority of your stay in the country that issued the visa (in this case, France). While there are no internal border controls within the Schengen area, travel can be tracked through flight tickets, hotel bookings, and potential checks at borders or during transport. The issuing country may request proof of proper use of a previous visa upon subsequent applications. Currently, France does not meticulously verify internal travel routes as strictly as some other countries (like Hungary previously did). However, border checks can occur, and you should be prepared to demonstrate your travel intentions and accommodation bookings.
• For accommodation in Paris, it is strongly advised to avoid the 18th, 19th, and 20th arrondissements due to safety concerns, especially during the evening. For safer and potentially more budget-friendly options, consider other districts within Paris or nearby suburbs, which often offer convenient access to the city center and a more secure environment.

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