The best French student cities

Grenoble, leader of the ranking

Quality of cultural life, attractiveness of the real estate market, job dynamics… Those are among the 15 criteria used in the 2016-2017 ranking of student cities, published in late October by the magazine "L’Étudiant". It provides useful information to the alumni who want to settle in France after their studies.

Whatever the criterion, Grenoble is first, followed by Toulouse, which was first last year. The "Capital of the Alps" scored a balanced total in all categories, benefits from a particularly active labour market, but also the perfect quality of life with hiking trips and events just around the corner.

Where to find your first job?

For alumni, the priority is to enter the labour market, and Nantes, Bordeaux and Toulouse are the best cities to do so. Those three cities have a large job pool, an unemployment which is below national average and an excellent evolution of employment over the last ten years: from 2004 to 2014, employment rate jumped by 14% in Bordeaux, 16% in Nantes and more than 18% in Toulouse. Lyon, Paris and Rennes are the next cities in the ranking regarding employment access, and offer excellent opportunity for professional insertion.

Finding the city most adapted to your lifestyle

The "L’Étudiant" ranking also compares French cities regarding lifestyle. Sun lovers who prefer a slow lifestyle should head to Montpellier, Aix-Marseille, Nice and Toulon, Nîmes and Avignon. Those who prefer a boasting cultural life should focus on Rennes, Strasbourg and Lyon, all of which offer a high diversity of cultural equipment.

Pictures © L’Étudiant and Mr. Bialek