Student halls of residence in Toulouse

Bonjour ! If you're planning your exchange, you're probably considering living in the student residences in Toulouse. In this article you can find everything you need to know about them: their advantages and disadvantages, information about private residences and those offered by CROUS, how to find affordable options and we answer the most frequently asked questions. Let’s go for it!

Pros and cons of living in a residence in Toulouse

Some of the pros and cons of this type of accommodation in the French city are:

Pros of living in student dorms in Toulouse

They're generally found in well connected by public transport areas, including the subway, buses, and public bicycles (some residences have their own bicycles, or you can use the public ones from VélôToulouse).
Living surrounded by other students means being in a fun atmosphere and being able to meet people as soon as you arrive in the city, even if you don't speak French yet!
The private ones have a variety of common use spaces that you can enjoy with the other residents. They can include game rooms, a gym, a movie theatre, a study room, and even a rooftop pool!
Some of them frequently organise events, workshops, and activities in which you can participate.
They include services that make coexistence with everyone more enjoyable. For example, maintenance and cleaning of common areas. Of course, remember to leave the kitchen clean when you use it for the next person who wants to prepare their meal!

Cons of living in student dorms in Toulouse

Some of them don’t include the cost of certain essential services in the price of the rent, such as electricity, heating or hot water.
The rooms are usually small, which can be uncomfortable if you need more space to study or relax.
Sharing common areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and living rooms can reduce your privacy.
They have regulations that may be restrictive, such as entry and exit times or limitations on visits.
Living with other young people can generate a noisy environment, especially during exam times, which can interfere with your concentration and rest.

Private student residences in Toulouse

These residences are usually located in strategic areas for students, such as around the centre and near important universities such as the Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier and Université Toulouse - Jean Jaurès, which facilitates access to them and the essential services of the city.

Among the accommodations available in private residences in this French city, you can most commonly choose between single rooms and studio apartments. Both options provide a lot of privacy, but, in the case of the rooms, the kitchen (and sometimes the bathroom) is shared with the rest of the residents. Generally, the rental price varies depending on the room size.

The private residences in Toulouse have several common use spaces that students can enjoy with other residents. For example, in their free time they can make use of areas that may include game rooms, gym, movie theatre, and even a pool on the terrace! Furthermore, many of them offer study and coworking rooms to be able to concentrate outside the rooms and in the company of other students.

Some of them offer services such as laundry service, free use of bicycles, monthly cleaning of sheets and the room, among others. In addition, they all normally include cleaning of common spaces, maintenance, Wi-Fi, and 24-hour security.

Regarding the price, it’s advisable that you first know how many months you want to stay there, since many residences offer discounts for long stays of about 9-12 months. Another detail to pay attention to is whether the cost of the services is included in the monthly rent or not. There are cases in which some of them are included, but you have to pay an extra amount for others each month. For example, it may be that the cost of the Internet is included, but heating, electricity, and hot water aren’t.

It should be noted that in the private sphere you can also find those called “foyers d’étudiants”. These are accommodations managed by different associations, which may or may not be religious. They can be divided between men and women, or they can be mixed.

CROUS University Residences in Toulouse

In this French city, as in the rest of the country, public university residences are managed by CROUS. This is accommodation funded by the French government, so it can be shared between several universities. Its price is generally quite affordable, although it also means that the facilities are more basic than those of private residences. The availability of places in the residences may be limited, so we recommend you apply in advance.

Most of the CROUS residences have single rooms. These normally have a private bathroom, but in some cases the bathroom is shared with the rest of the students who live in the apartment of which the room is part. In some cases you’ll also find studio apartments, which are small but have their own bathroom and kitchenette.

As we mentioned before, the facilities of these residences are typically more basic than those of private ones. In some cases they may include spaces such as study rooms and rest rooms, but it depends on each one of them. What they do assure is that it’s a safe space and they have areas to do laundry (although often paid).

University Residences of the University of Toulouse - Jean Jaurès

As you already know, this institution doesn’t have its own residences, but rather offers accommodation to its students through CROUS. To be able to access a place in them you have to contact the International Office of the institution.

Rent cheap student residences in Toulouse

On our Erasmus Play platform you can find cheap student residence options in Toulouse. You can do this by filtering by your preferences, viewing all the images and locations of the different options.

Frequently Asked Questions about student dorms in Toulouse

How much does a student residence in Toulouse cost?
CROUS university residences are usually cheaper than private ones, as they're subsidised by the French government. The cost of a room in the former can be between €200-400 per month, while private residences can cost on average €550 per month. Also remember that the latter often offer more services and spaces to enjoy.
Are there scholarships for student residences in Toulouse?
Yes, there are some scholarships that you can access. First of all, remember that if you're going on Erasmus, the scholarship awarded in the program is designed to cover the cost of your stay. Second, there’s a scholarship in France called CAF (Caisse d'allocations familiales) that you can apply for (although the process is quite long!) Finally, some residences may offer their own scholarships or benefits.
Which is cheaper, a room in an apartment or a student residence in Toulouse?
In general, a room in a private apartment is cheaper than a student residence in Toulouse, especially if you share the apartment with other students. Residences include amenities and services, which can raise the total cost. However, it all depends on the location and type of accommodation, as some residences can offer competitive rates when compared to apartments in central areas.
When to book a student residence in Toulouse?
Do it as soon as possible! The French city welcomes a large number of local and international students every year, so the demand for accommodation becomes quite competitive as the start of classes approaches. Furthermore, you should do it even faster if you want to apply for a place in a CROUS residence.
Are there female and male university residences in Toulouse?
The truth is that most of them are mixed. However, you’ll find some female residences in the case of the “foyers d’étudiants”, especially in those which are religious.