Organise your accommodation

The International Relations Department can help with your accommodation

Centrale Nantes has an ongoing partnership with CROUS and some private residences.

The International Relations Department can thus book accommodation on behalf of new incoming international students. If you are a new incoming international student, the International Relations Department will contact you directly by email by June with regards to your accommodation.

Discover the different accommodation options:

 
Centrale Nantes Residence "Max Schmitt"

A limited number of places are available in the Max Schmitt Residence on campus for:
 

  • First year international students on the BBA Data, AI & Management (BBA), Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSc) and (incoming) Double Degree Engineering Programme.
  • First Year Engineering Programme students admitted via the CentraleSupélec entrance exam

Learn more about the Centrale Nantes Residence "Max Schmitt"

Other student residences
Accommodation Platforms
  • Studapart platform: Centrale Nantes partner platform providing access to a wide range of accommodation (studio flats, shared flats, rooms in private homes, etc.
  • Adele platform (Centrale Nantes partner)
  • Lokaviz (CROUS platform for finding accommodation in private homes)
  • Erasmus Play platform (Centrale Nantes Partner)
Intergenerational housing

Intergenerational housing is where different generations share accommodation and social interaction.
 

  • Colombage cohabitation: Centrale Nantes partner platform that puts young people (students, young professionals) in touch with senior citizens wishing to share their accommodation as part of an intergenerational co-living scheme. (in Nantes and Paris). NB A conversational level of French is advisable.
  • Le temps pour toit: Also a school partner. This French association for intergenerational cohabitation, recognized by the French government, offers intergenerational housing solutions in Nantes, Angers and St Nazaire. NB A conversational level of French is advisable.
  • The Nantes'Renoue association is developing solidarity and/or intergenerational accommodation, mainly in Nantes and the surrounding area. Learn more:  https://www.nantesrenoue.com/offres-disponibles/ 
Other options - co-living
  • One Nest: One Nest specializes in co-living, offering all-inclusive student housing: utilities, insurance, internet, cleaning, etc. Enjoy the advantages of co-living without the drawbacks: large common areas, large kitchen, garden, etc. All co-living apartments are also well served by public transport! Reservations at https://www.one-nest.fr/coliving-nantes
  • Colonies: a Centrale Nantes partner offering a discount on application fees with a promotional code. Colonies offers co-living and shared accommodation: to benefit from a reduced rate on application fees, you need to enter a promotional code. Contact vie.etudiante@ec-nantes.fr to obtain the code. Learn more: https://www.livecolonies.com/en/nantes
  • Pépite Urbaine: Centrale Nantes partner offering reduced agency fees for Centrale Nantes students. Local agency offering furnished apartments in Nantes since 2018. Learn more: https://www.ec-nantes.fr/version-francaise/campus/logement?l=0

You can also visit social networks and groups. We urge you to be extra vigilant to avoid scams.

Where to look for accommodation

Accommodation in Nantes is generally advertised by district or 'quartier'. We recommend that you look for accommodation close to public transport, in particular tramway line 2. Here are a number of districts where you may want to focus your attention:

 
  • Centre ville (Graslin, Viarme, Talensac..),
  • L'île de Nantes,
  • Saint Mihiel/Saint Félix/Haut Pavés/ Saint Donatien,
  • Pont du Cens,
  • Canclaux/Mellinet,
  • Petit port/Facultés/ Michelet,
  • Jonelière,
  • Butte sainte Anne/Chantenay,
  • Procé/Monselet,
  • Jardin des plantes/Doulon
 

Administrative procedures and guidance

Guarantor

In most instances, student residences or landlords will ask you to provide a guarantor for your rent in France. A guarantor is legally responsible should you default on your rent. He or she brings financial security to reassure your landlord: with a guarantor at your side, the landlord trusts your ability to fully pay your rent in due time.
 

  • VISALE acts as guarantor, free of charge, for students under 31 whose monthly rent is not more than €600/month.
  • GARANTME is open to French and international students. Reduced fees for Centrale Nantes students via the partnership with Garantme.
Insurance

The residence's welcoming office and landlords will hand over room keys if - and only if - you have provided proof of accommodation insurance. A housing insurance certificate is therefore compulsory.

Centrale Nantes has an ongoing close relationship with SMERRA that can provide you with housing insurance before your arrival in Nantes.
 

For further information, contact the international relations office: internationalf343c018-d5be-4334-8aa7-f73900cb2c65@ec-nantes.fr
 

You may also wish to enquire about insurance partnerships offered directly by the residence or other companies, such as:
 

Financial support from the CAF

Financial support from the CAF French and international students are eligible to receive financial support (known as APL in French) from the CAF (Caisses d'Allocations Familiales). The CAF is a French government organism that covers part of the monthly cost of rent paid for student accommodation – the allocated amount depends on the type of accommodation and on your income.
​​​​​​​
Applications are made online and can only be submitted once you have your keys and rent contract.

Follow the CAF procedure in English (last updated for 2018) according to your situation below:
 

  • You are staying in a CROUS-run residence (download PDF)
  • You are staying in a non-CROUS-run/private residence (download PDF)
  • You are staying in an apartment, a furnished house, a studio, a flat share and renting from a landlord (download PDF)

​​​​​​​More information on the CAF website (in French)

Digital rental file

A practical tool to put together your digital rental file.

DossierFacile: free government service to help you put together a secure digital rental file for private accommodation (English version)
Published on April 16, 2018 Updated on May 20, 2025