Since June 1st 2009, the Long-stay Visa equivalent to a Residence Permit (VLSTS) allows you to remain in France without a residence permit for up to one year. You must however follow the new procedures in order to validate your long stay student visa into a residence permit at the OFII office.  You no longer have to go to the préfecture to apply for a carte de séjour, the procedure is henceforth simpler and more time efficient. Be reminded that this administrative process is obligatory and must be followed scrupulously. Failure to do so will render your long stay visa invalid and you will be considered by the French authorities as being an illegal immigrant despite your student status.

Who should apply for a student residence permit

Non-EU students

All non-EU students studying in France for over three months are obliged to apply for a residence permit within three months after their arrival in the country. The permit is valid for one year and can be renewed upon or near the expiry date.   

Citizens of an European Union member state

No residence permit is required to work or study in France (exceptions for citizens of Romania and Bulgaria who need prior authorisation from the Prefecture to work).  

Individualised help

A help desk is open every day from the end of August until the end of October, in the "4 bis" (CRIJ) building, to welcome you and help you settle in Rennes and to provide assistance with "residence permit" applications in partnership with the Préfecture of Ille-et-Vilaine.

If you are a first time student in France arriving with a VLSTS visa

You must have it validated by the French Immigration and Integration Agency (OFII: Office Français de l'Immigration et de l'Intégration) within three months of your arrival. The International Mobility Centre can assist  you with this procedure via its help desk.

If you do not have a VLSTS visa or have been residing in France for one year or more

You no longer need to go to the Préfecture in person to apply for a residence permit renewal. The International Mobility Centre can do it for you. You will also be assisted in filling out the application form.
Once the residence permit application has been registered, the Préfecture will deliver an application receipt to the International Mobility Centre, which will then be forwarded to you at your home address.

If you are a student from an EU member state

You do not need a residence permit, but the International Mobility Center team will be on hand at the "4 bis" to help you settle in Rennes and to sort out any problems regarding your stay.

Doing it on your own

Procedure must be completed within three months of your arrival in France.

1. Duly fill and sign the original copy of the document “Demande d’attestation OFII” which was     delivered to you at the French Consulate or Embassy in your home country.
2. Make copies of your passport pages (the first page containing all your identification details, the  page with your long-stay visa, the page with the French airport’s arrival stamp, your signature  page), a copy of your student card and proof of address (tenancy agreement or attestation de logement).
3. After verification, send the completed form and accompanying documents in a sealed envelope by registered post (Recommandé avec Accusé de réception) to the following address:
   OFII (Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration)
   110 rue de Vern
   35200 Rennes Cedex 09

Medical check-up

Upon reception of your documents, the OFII office will send you a letter by post confirming receipt of your documents.  Within a few weeks, you will be sent a second letter inviting you for a medical check-up. The medical examination includes a general medical check-up, lung x-rays and vaccine verification.

For this appointment, please bring along with you the following:

• Your official passport (not copies)
• An ID photograph (full face and bare-headed)
• Proof of your current address: tenancy agreement (bail) if you are in the private sector or attestation de logement if you are being accommodated in one of the student residence halls (request this document at the secrétariat).
• An OFII stamp valued at 55 euros. This stamp can be bought at the official government website www.timbresofii.fr or at your local cigarette shop (tabac-presse).

Useful contacts

CRIJ :Centre Régional Information Jeunesse Bretagne/ Le 4bis
cours des alliés
35000 Rennes
Tel: 02 99 31 47 48 / 02 99 31 57 67
Fax: 02 99 30 39 51
crij@crij-bretagne.com
http://www.crij-bretagne.com/
Opening hours:
During the academic year: Tuesday - 12:00PM to 9:00PM; Wednesday to Friday - 12:00PM to 7:00PM;    Saturday - 2:00PM to 7:00PM
In summer: Tuesday to Friday - 2:00PM to 7:00PM
During the summer break: Tuesday to Friday - 12:00PM to 7:00PM
Getting there: Metro station “Charles de Gaulle”

International mobility Centre / UEB Help desk
Building "Les Bonnets rouges"
5 boulevard Laënnec
35000 Rennes
Tel. 02 23 23 79 50
centre-mobilite-rennes@ueb.eu
www.mobilite-rennes.ueb.eu
Opening hours:
Monday to Thursday - 9:00AM to 12:30PM & 2:00PM to 5:30PM; Friday - 9:00AM to 5:00PM

OFII (Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration)
110 rue de Vern
35200 Rennes cedex 09
Tel.: 02.99.22.9860
Fax: 02.99.22.9869
rennes@ofii.fr
www.ofii.fr
Opening hours: Monday to Friday (closed on Wednesdays) - 9:30AM to 12:00PM & 2:00PM to 5:45PM
Getting there: bus number 2

Préfecture (request Foreign students counter – guichet des étudiants étrangers)
3 avenue de la Préfecture
35026 Rennes cedex 9
Tel.: 02.99.02.1035
contact@ille-et-vilaine.pref.gouv.fr
http://www.bretagne.pref.gouv.fr/
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday - 9:00AM to 4:00PM & Friday-9:30AM to 12:45PM
Getting there: bus numbers 4,16 & 30

During your stay in France you will almost inevitably need to open a current account for which a check book and a debit/credit card will be given.  All foreigners who will be staying in France for a period of 3 months or more, are eligible to open a bank account.

Choosing a bank

Locate the nearest banks in the vicinity of your student residence halls or faculty. A list of 112 banks located in the city of Rennes can be consulted on Http://www.pagesjaunes.fr. You can also get information from your international coordinator on partnerships signed between your faculty and local banks. If this is the case, you will benefit from certain advantages reserved exclusively to students, on condition that you open your bank account with the said partner bank. 

Documents needed to open an account

A delay of three to four weeks is necessary before your receive by post your debit card and check book. Automatic teller machines are conveniently located at each bank branch and shopping centres throughout town and can be accessed at any time of the day. Regardless of the time of the day, you will have the possibility to withdraw cash, consult your account balances, make deposits and account transfers etc.

The Health Insurance in France is called "Sécurité Sociale" or "Sécu". All students, regardless of their nationality, are obliged to have health insurance. In the region of Brittany, there are two student social security organisations reserved exclusively to students under the age of 28 years old: 

1. LMDE : La Mutuelle des Etudiants Http://www.lmde.com
2. SMEBA: La Société Mutualiste des Etudiants Bretagne Atlantique Http://www.smeba.fr 

Your carte vitale should be presented during visits to all healthcare professionals: doctors, medical specialists, hospitals, clinics, pharmacies.  This card allows for rapid reimbursements of healthcare charges, up to 70%, and for those who have subscribed for complementary insurance, an additional 30%.

Students concerned

European students

If you are coming to France as an exchange student, you will remain affiliated to the health  insurance scheme in your home country. However, you should bring along with you the European Health Insurance Card which will give you access to medical treatment under the French Health Insurance scheme. This card should be requested at your local health services agency in your home county before coming to France. You should then forward your requests for reimbursements to your health agency in your country.

Non-European students under 28 years of age

You must register with one of the two student health insurance schemes: SMEBA or LMDE. Registration with the student health insurance must be done during enrolment in your establishment. The fee for the entire academic year is €200 (2010-2011 academic year). The registry office at the university will take care of all the administrative formalities. Within a few weeks, your insurance card called the “carte vitale” will be sent directly to your temporary home address in France.

Non European students over 28 years of age

If you are over 28 years of age as of the 1st of October, you are not entitled to the French student social security scheme. You will need to contact the "Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie (CPAM)" office (see below).

Students exempt from having to register with the French student social security scheme

• Holders of the European Health Insurance Card

• Students from Quebec in possession of the SE401Q102 Bis or the SE401Q106 form

• Students with a working contract of more than 60 working hours a month

Where and how to register

All students under the age of 28 years old are obliged to be affiliated to one of the two social security organisations listed above. This is done during the enrolment process at the register’s office (scolarité). You will also be expected to pay the annual fee at the same time as your tuition fees. If you have already made up your mind on the complementary insurance that you would like to subscribe to, you may indicate this on your application form and pay the corresponding charges. This complementary insurance is not obligatory but highly recommended.

If you have not decided on the complementary insurance scheme that you would like at the time of enrolment, you may do this at a later date directly at the social security office of your choice.

If you need urgent medical treatment at night or during the weekend

• You can go to the accident and emergency room (Urgences) at one of the local hospitals, open 24 hours a day.
• You can contact the town’s on-call physician (médecin de garde)
• For medication, contact the on-call pharmacist (pharmacien de garde)

Useful contacts

CPAM Cours des Alliés
cours des Alliés
35024 RENNES
Getting there: Metro station "Charles de Gaulle"

 

CPAM Torigné
8 place de Torigné
35000 Rennes
Getting there: Metro station "le Blosne" & Bus n°33

 

CPAM Maurepas
11b place du Gros Chêne
35000 Rennes
Getting there: Bus numbers 5 & 55

 

CPAM Crimée Châtillon
218 rue de Châtillon
35000 Rennes
getting there: Metro station "Henri Fréville"

 

CPAM Villejean
35 cours Kennedy
35000 Rennes
Getting there: Metro station "Kennedy"

 

Information concerning all the above offices:
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00AM to 5:00PM (non-stop service)
Tel. : 36 46
Fax : 02 99 67 73 58
Http://www.ameli.fr

 LMDE (La Mutuelle Des Étudiants)
29 quai Châteaubriand
35000 Rennes
Tel.: 01 40 92 54 85: For all information concerning your subscribed policy and to monitor reimbursements
Http://www.lmde.com

SMÉBA (Société Mutualiste des Étudiants Bretagne Atlantique)
4 rue Victor Hugo BP 30 814
35108 Rennes Cedex 03
Http://www.smeba.fr 

Registration with the mandatory French social security system allows for a reimbursement of up to 70% of your incurred medical expenses (medical consultations with your general practitioner or physician, prescribed medicines, hospitalisations etc). To obtain a further 30% reimbursement rate, you can choose to subscribe to benefit from supplementary insurance cover, commonly known as mutuelle.

Although this cover is not compulsory, it is highly recommended to subscribe to one as it reduces significantly the costs left to be paid at the student’s charge. Please note that if you wish to take up complementary insurance, you must imperatively do so at the same time as your subscription to the mandatory insurance cover: LMDE, SMEBA, CPAM. These formalities have to be concluded at your faculty’s registry office (scolarité) during enrolment.

A practical illustrated example: based on 2010 rate

• Cost of a medical visit to your general practitioner /physician (médecin traitant): 22 euros

• A non-refundable fixed patient’s contribution is automatically deducted from reimbursements: 1 euro

• The social security will reimburse: 14€40

• Contribution to be paid by the student’s towards the cost of medical treatment (ticket modérateur): 7€60

In this example, the amount left at the student’s charge can be paid completely reimbursed by his or her complementary insurance company or mutuelle.

For a full list of other complementary insurance companies (mutuelles): http://www.pagesjaunes.fr

Useful contacts

LMDE (La Mutuelle Des Etudiants)
29 quai Châteaubriand
35000 Rennes
Http://www.lmde.com
Tel.: 01 40 92 54 85: For all information concerning your subscribed policy and to monitor reimbursements

SMEBA (Société Mutualiste des Etudiants Bretagne Atlantique)
4 rue Victor Hugo BP 30 814
35108 Rennes Cedex 03
Http://www.smeba.fr

Important

Please remember to cancel your supplementary health insurance contract before you leave France at the end of your stay.

Civil liability insurance (responsabilité civile) is compulsory during your stay in France. AAll students must therefore subscribe to an insurance policy that  covers the risks listed below which guarantees the repair of damages that may be caused by the student to a third person or animal, to possessions for which they are legally responsible, or to their accommodation, regardless of whether the damages were caused through negligence or not.

Risks to be covered

1. Civil liability
2. Housing insurance against Flooding and fire damage for your rented accommodation
3. Individual accidents
4. Repatriation assistance

It is important to note that although certain insurance policies, e.g. car and home insurance, include civil responsibility cover, this is generally somewhat limited. If you have already taken out such an insurance policy, find out exactly what it covers as you need to know whether the cover it provides is adequate. If you are not already covered, you must take out a civil responsibility insurance contract. Thoroughly check what sort of cover is offered as well as the extent of such cover to see if it corresponds to your needs.

Request further information at your local bank branch and at your student residence halls (secrétariat)

Useful contacts

LMDE (La Mutuelle Des Etudiants)
29 quai Châteaubriand
35000 Rennes
Http://www.lmde.com
Tel.: 01 40 92 54 85: For all information concerning your subscribed policy and to monitor reimbursements

SMEBA (Société Mutualiste des Etudiants Bretagne Atlantique)
4 rue Victor Hugo BP 30 814
35108 Rennes Cedex 03
Http://www.smeba.fr

In France, all students over the age of 16 have to appoint a general practitioner /physician (médecin traitant) to attend to their medical needs. The appointed doctor will become the main point of contact between the social security authorities and the patient, and will address all his medical concerns (medical consultations, prescriptions, referrals to medical specialists etc). He is responsible for the detailed update of his patient’s medical history (history of visits, medical diagnoses and examinations, results etc) and as a result, coordinates all medical follow-up.

How to proceed

There is no restriction on the choice of the general practitioner. Any doctor can be nominated provided that the patient has his approval: a general practitioner or aspecialist, be it in the private or public sector, and doesn’t necessarily need to be geographically close to the patient.

If you wish to consult a medical specialist, you do not necessarily have to get the approbabation of your appointed doctor you will normally provide you with a referral letter. However, it is strongly recommended that you consult your appointed doctor beforehand, the main reasons being:

Changing your appointed general practitioner or physician

If you are not satisfied with the services offered by your appointed practitioner, you have the right to change and choose another one whenever you like without being subject to any penalties whatsoever. All you need to do is to inform your current practitioner of your decision, and follow the same procedure above (cf “appointing a general practitioner).  On reception of your new request at the social security office, the existing appointed practitioner will be replaced by the new one.

For more information
Http://www.ameli.fr

http://www.lmde.com

Http://www.smeba.fr

On your arrival in Rennes, you may be entitled to personalised assistance by a student guide (moniteur d’accueil): reception at the airport or train station and transfer to your residence halls. In order to take advantage of this service, please inquire at your international office whether or not you are eligible. If this is the case then you must fill out appropriate application form (Demande de moniteur d’accueil) and send it by email to your international faculty coordinator at the University of Rennes-1.

Free individualised services at your disposal

On your arrival at the train station or airport in Rennes you will be received by a student guide (monitor d’accueil) who will then take you to your accommodation and help you to settle-in.

On campus: the same person will accompany you for an initial visit of the campus and its immediate surroundings, and will put you in contact with your course leader, international correspondent and registry office at the faculty where you will be studying.

In town: If it is judged necessary, a guide will accompany you in town in order to show you the different community services that may be useful to you during your stay. He/she will also accompany you to your chosen bank in order for you to open up an account, and at the star office to buy your annual or monthly travelcard.

Accommodation: If you had declined the offer of a room in the student residence halls, as you had wished to look to the private sector, and that you had not succeeded in securing accommodation before arriving in Rennes, then you will be entitled to personalised assistance to help you in your quest. This search will be conducted in collaboration with the CROUS, who will make accessible the listing of vacant properties on offer for rent.

Residence permit and OFII administrative procedures: you will be given a personalised appointment to assist you in completing your administrative formalities

How to benefit from the services of a student guide?

Your request should be formulated at least 8 days before your estimated arrival date in Rennes (download the request form for a student guide)
Upon reception of your request form, a response will be sent to you by the university administrator at the international office who can be contacted at the following email address: sai@listes.univ-rennes1.fr

Important:

Please note that reception of the request form is obligatory before you are assigned a student guide.

Information points

During the orientation week in September, several information points based on three university campuses (Beaulieu, Centre, and Villejean) are run by student-volunteers in order to inform and guide the freshman students through the maze of the French administration: residency permits, housing, work, social welfare, and transport.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 12:00PM to 1:30PM

Orientation days organised by the city of Rennes

The Rennes International Mobility Centre, Rennes Métropole district council, Rennes City Council, and the regional youth information centre (CRIJ : Centre Régional d’Information Jeunesse) invite you to take part in the TAM-TAM orientation and welcome events, which take place in early October.

TAM-TAM is the biggest event for students of the beginning of the start of the academic year. Three days of information and activities to help you to settle in and to give you the opportunity to meet other students and residents in Rennes.

TAM-TAM program

For further information:
http://www.crij-bretagne.com/TAM-TAM.html

Additional help for disabled students

Calendar of events for the 2011-2012 academic year

Location and opening hours

For further information: http://www.cnous.fr/_vie_35.htm

The Digital Working Space (Espace Numérique de Travail or ENT) created in 2005, grants access anywhere and at any moment to students and staff members of the University of Rennes-1, to a pool of information concerning university life. You can consult your emails, address book, academic records, course timetable, gain access to electronic journals, store your documents etc.

Connecting to your virtual space

1. Connect to the following address: http://ent.univ-rennes1.fr
2. Type in your login (nom de connexion) and access code (code d’accès initial). This information figures on the « certificat de scolarité » given to you after enrolment at the registry office « scolarité »
3. You will then be redirected to your sésame page to modify your password (changer de mot de passe) and/ or to redirect your emails received on your university email address to another personal email address (Rediriger vos messages vers une autre adresse électronique)

Important
Please note that your password must be kept strictly confidential and should not be disclosed to anyone. For security reasons, you will be asked to type in your login details every time you connect on ENT.

Students have free access to computers located throughout the university’s premises and at the computer labs. Most computers are equipped with office software, specialised software depending on the disciplines taught at the faculty, as well as free and unlimited internet and intranet access. 

For full details: http://www.univ-rennes1.fr/english/home/campus_life/digital_university/

Students, professors and researchers of the university benefit from an extensive documentation service spread throughout campus. Over 315,000 books (13,000 volumes for the old collection), 6000 periodical titles and over 74500 online titles (more than 30200 periodicals, 30 databases and more than 44200 electronic books) are accessible to the university’s students and staff. 

In addition to the three main libraries, the university has several specialised libraries located within the faculties, departments and research laboratories with an extensive documentation service dedicated to the taught and research disciplinary fields.

For further information and contact details:
http://www.univ-rennes1.fr/themes/cultureEtDocumentation/

As a student of the University of Rennes-1, you are entitled to all the services offered by the interuniversity physical and sporting activities service (SIUAPS).
A wide range of sporting activities is on offer; there is no limit in the number of activities you can register on and the annual membership is 25 euros.

List of sporting activities on offer

Competitions

Every year, an interuniversity sports day is organised. This sporting event brings together students from the two largest universities in the city of Rennes (University of Rennes-1 and University of Rennes-2).
There are also numerous competitions organised  between district levels, academic, france with ffsu), as well as sporting encounters, demonstrations, performances, workshops, international exchanges.

N.B:  In order to register for any sporting activity, it is obligatory to have a medical certificate (certificat médical d’aptitude à la pratique sportive) confirming that you are fit and able to practice a sport. This will be issued to you by a French general practitioner after your medical visit.

For further information:
http://www.univ-rennes1.fr/english/home/campus_life/sports/

Useful contacts

Université de Rennes1 - Beaulieu Campus  - Bâtiment 35
Secrétariat du SIUAPS -  Gymnase universitaire
Avenue du Professeur Charles Foulon
35700 Rennes
Tel. 02 23 23 63 87
Fax : 02 23 23 69 08
SIUAPS@univ-rennes1.fr
http://www.siuaps.univ-rennes1.fr/
Getting there :
Bus numbers 31 & 30 (Bus stop « Beaulieu cité U. »)
Bus number 4 (Bus stop « Beaulieu restau U. »)    Villejean Campus

Université de Rennes 2 - Hall B
Secrétariat du SIUAPS
Place du Recteur Henri Le Moal
35000 Rennes
Tel. 02 99 14 14 70
Getting there :
Métro Station : «Villejean Université»

The Diapason, the university of Rennes-1’s live entertainment and cultural centre, is situated on the Beaulieu campus.

The cultural services on offer

For further information
http://www.univ-rennes1.fr/english/home/campus_life/Culture/

Contact

The inter-university preventative medicine and health promotion service (SIMPPS: Service Interuniversitaire de Médecine Préventive et de Promotion de la Santé) is made up of a team of doctors, nurses, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists and dieticians.

Services offered free of charge

Prevention and information days

For every visit, please bring along with you the following documents:

Useful contacts

The disability resource centre of the University of Rennes-1 (CUAEH) aims to evaluate the problems faced by students with disabilities, and coordinates the various actors on campus (students, professors, registry, ushers, technical services ...) in order find the necessary solutions for the fulfilment of his/her student life.

The disability centre intervenes in the following areas: 

If you are not eligible for, or simply, do not wish to be accommodated in the student residence halls, then various organisations can help you in your search by providing advice and assistance.

Student and youth organisations

CROUS (Free service)

7 place Hoche - Rennes
Tel. 02 99 84 31 31
Addresses are posted up in the hall or can be consulted on the CROUS website : www.crous-rennes.fr

Student insurance companies (mutuelles étudiantes)

La Mutuelle des Etudiants (LMDE) and the Société Mutualiste des Etudiants Bretagne Atlantique (SMEBA) make offers of accommodation available to students free of charge.

CRIJB (Centre Régional Information Jeunesse de Bretagne)

4 bis cours des Alliés - Rennes
Tél. 02 99 31 57 67
www.crij-bretagne.com

Classified ads in the newspapers

Ouest-France

www.ouestfrance-immo.com
Property supplement available on Wednesdays
Property pages in every Saturday edition

Paru Vendu (Le Pub)

5 rue de Nemours - Rennes
www.paruvendu.fr
Available on Mondays from 9:00AM (Free)

Top annonces

30 rue du Pré Botté - Rennes
www.Topannonces.fr
Available on Mondays from 9:00AM (Free)

Other organisations

La Maison du Notariat

2 mail Anne Catherine - Rennes
(near the Boulevard de la Tour d’Auvergne and the Cité Judiciaire)
Tel. 02 99 65 23 24
ch35.locations@notaires.fr
www.chambre-ille-et-vilaine.notaires.fr

Estate agents

In Rennes, there are over 228 estate agencies, consult the list at the following address:
www.pagesjaunes.fr
Lamy Résidences
Fac habitat.com
Top campus

The STAR public transport network is made up of a metro line and 50 bus routes, and serves the city of Rennes and the surrounding towns (Rennes Métropole).

A.  Moving about in Rennes

1/ Local bus and metro services

If you intend on travelling frequently by bus and metro in Rennes, it is advisable to buy the monthly or annual pass. Before you do this, you first need to get the KorriGo card. This is a personal stored value card containing all your personal details. It is also a contactless smartcard which must be scanned onto the electronic reader situated at the entrance of the metro platform and on the bus every time you travel. Please note that you may be liable to a fine if you fail to present a valid card when requested by the transport controllers.

Applying for the KorriGo card
Download and complete the application form for the KorriGo card
Go to the Star central office located at 12, rue du Pré Botté in Rennes, near the république metro station with the following documents:

• Duly completed and signed application form
• Passport or ID card
• Passport sized photo
• Means of payment (the KorriGo card is free, you will only pay the cost of the travelcard option chosen)

Prices (2010-2011)

Recharging you KorriGo card is simple, you can either go in person with your card to one of the numerous sales outlets throughout town (tabac-presse, metro stations) or alternatively, via on-line purchase.    

The bus and metro timetable
The metro and main bus lines run from 5:15 AM until 12:40 AM from Monday to Saturday, and between 7:30 AM until 12:45AM on Sundays and public holidays. The night buses (Star de nuit) run until 4:45 AM from Wednesday evening to Sunday morning.

La STAR
12 rue du Pré Botté
35000 Rennes
Tel. 0 811 555 535 (cost of a local call)
www.star.fr  (timetables, itinerary, maps, and fares)
Opening hours: Monday to Friday – 7:00 AM to 7:30 PM and Saturday – 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM
Getting there: Metro station  "République"

2/ Bicycle hire

Vélo STAR is the self-service system of bicycle hire provided by Rennes Métropole .  Most of the 80 or so collection points and 900 bicycles are located near metro stations, bus and coach stops, and the railway station. Borrow a bicycle at the collection point of your choice and leave it at any other one. It all depends on where you want to go. The first 30 minutes of any Vélo STAR ride are free.

You can subscribe for 24 hours, 7 days, or one year, depending to your particular needs. If you want to take out a 1–year Vélo STAR subscription, it will cost you € 15 if you are already a STAR korrigo card holder (€ 22.50 otherwise). If you would like to use the service occasionally, short term subscription is possible (€ 1 for 24 hours and € 5 for 7 days).

LE Vélo STAR
8 rue du Maréchal Joffre
35000 Rennes
Tel.:09 69 36 50 07
www.levelostar.fr
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 12:00PM to 7:00PM
Getting there: Metro station "République"

B.Daytrips and weekend getaways in Brittany and other French regions

1/ Regional coach ILLENOO or regional train TER services

Illenoo coach services
Tel. 02 99 30 97 80
www.illenoo.fr 

Regional train services
Tel. 02 99 19 70 80 – Leave from Rennes coach station (gare routière)
www.ter-sncf.com

Popular excursions to visit some of the region’s famous sites

Mont Saint-Michel: A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Journey : 90 km - 1 hr 20 min. (by coach)
Leave from Rennes coach station
www.ot-montsaintmichel.com

Saint-Malo: The seaside corsair town
To see : Saint-Malo Intra Muros (the old town within the ramparts), the beaches, and the aquarium.
Journey : 70 km - 50 min. (by coach or local TER train)
www.saint-malo-tourisme.com

Brocéliande forest
The forest of legends, in which Merlin the magician, Viviane the fairy, the Knights of the Round Table, and King Arthur have all left their traces. To see : the Val sans Retour (valley of no-return), with the Étang du Miroir-aux-Fées (fairies’ mirror pool), Merlin’s Seat, the Moulin de la Vallée (mill of the valley), the Arbre d’Or (golden tree), and Merlin’s Tomb.
Journey (Rennes-Paimpont) : 42 km - 1 hour (by local TER train)
www.broceliande-pays.com
Tréhorenteuc Tourist Office : www.valsansretour.com  

2/ The high speed train TGV (train à grande vitesse)

Visiting Paris and other French cities
Links Rennes’s train station “Gare SNCF” to Paris and other major towns and cities across France. To get to the heart of Paris (Gare Montparnasse), the journey lasts for only two hours. The services are frequent (half hour intervals during peak hours and one-hour intervals off-peak). For a list of the destinations and ticket purchases, visit the official SNCF website: Http://www.voyages-sncf.com.

Prices vary depending on the number of days the ticket is purchased in advanced before the travel date, the time of travel (peak or off-peak) and whether or not you hold a discount card which can automatically entitle you to reductions on the regular price ranging from 25% to as much as 50%. For students under the age of 25 years old, the best option is to buy an annual discount card “carte 12-25”.

3/ Car rental services

see www.pagesjaunes.fr

4/ Car-pooling or car-sharing

http://123envoiture.com  or Http://www.Allostoprennes.com

C. Visiting europe

1/ By plane

There are two nearby airports for low-cost flights to European destinations:
Rennes Saint-Jacques Airport: http://www.rennes.aeroport.fr/
The airport is less than 5km away from the centre of town. Easy access to the airport via bus number 57.

Flybe airlines serving major English, Irish and Scottish destinations as well as the popular British Isles:  Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Dublin, Exeter, Edinburgh, Glasgow, island of Guernsey, Isle of Man, island of Jersey, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Southampton
http://www.flybe.com/

Dinard - Pleurtuit - Saint-Malo Airport
Less than one hour’s drive away from Rennes’s city centre (61 km / 38 miles)
-Ryanair airlines serving the East Midlands and London Stansted: Http://www.ryanair.fr
-Aurigny airlines: daily direct flights to the island of Guernsey: https://www.aurigny.com/  

2/ The international coach service - Eurolines

If you would like to visit other European countries and you are not pressed for time, a cheap alternative is the Eurolines coach service from the Rennes’s train station (international platform) to over 21 European countries.
Eurolines office
37 av Jean Janvier
35000 Rennes
Tel.: 02.23.42.4630
www.eurolines.com

For further information: http://www.tourisme-rennes.com

You will be able to buy everything you need on a day-to-day basis in Rennes and its immediate vicinity.

Local supermarkets open from Monday to Saturday from 9:00AM until 8:00PM are the best place to do most of your food shopping. The prices are reasonable and you can find a wide variety of goods with a price range to suit every budget. Neighbourhood convenience stores are generally open from 7:30AM until 9:00PM but charge higher prices. The outdoor markets, very popular with the French, proposes fresh produce throughout the year. The second largest outdoor market in France “Marché des Lices”, is only a stone’s throw away from the metro station “Sainte-Anne”, and is animated by over 300 farmers and fishermen from all over Brittany every Saturday morning.

For information on the outdoor market locations and schedules: http://www.tourisme-rennes.com/marche-rennes.aspx

The French authorities expect that each student should have funds amounting to 450 € a month in order to cover living expenses. This approximate evidently does not give any leeway to partake in any seemingly extravagant or useless spending. Despite the fact that the city of Rennes is a relatively inexpensive one compared to other big French cities, 450 € is the absolute minimum. If you are a globetrotter who would like to visit Europe during your stay in Rennes, then obviously, you have to double this amount for each tourist venture.  

The table below gives an approximate indication of the expenses that have to be accounted for during your stay in Rennes.

Handy hints to spend less 

Books/journals

Do not spend money on books and academic journals unless absolutely necessary. The university libraries are well equipped with the latest editions of reference books in all the fields of study that it is involved in. As a student, you can take out the books for at least three weeks at a time; this service is free of charge. If in spite of this you prefer owning your books, then you can buy previous editions from second hand shops at very reasonable prices.     

Clothes/shoes   

There are many discount stores and charity shops with good quality low priced clothing and shoes.

Clubs   

Most clubs have special prices for students and/or student special offers such as free entry before 10:00PM

Cinema/theatre   

You will be eligible for up to 40% discount on regular prices on presentation of your student card

Credit cards  

Reserve your overdraft only for emergencies, in this way, you keep your debt under control and you will not be subject to charges if you stay within the authorised limit.

Eating out   

Look out for the restaurants with special student offers

Grocery shopping   

Convenience shops are often more expensive than hypermarkets
Consider choosing supermarket over famous brands; the quality is similar and the prices are much cheaper

Hairdressing   

Most hairdressers offer student discounts
Why not use the student hairdressing centres for unbeatable rates

Sporting activities   

Instead of paying a subscription fee for each sporting activity that you wish to partake in, why not pay one annual subscription fee to the university sporting association which will give you access to over 40 sporting activities (individual or in club), for only 25 euros per year (2010-2011 fees).
This is the ideal occasion to get to know your fellow students in a context other than that of an academic one.

Travelling in town   

It is much cheaper to buy a yearly bus and metro pass instead of a weekly or monthly one. On top of that, you are often given an additional month’s travel for free. If you are on a very tight budget, you have the opportunity to pay for your yearly travelcard in three instalments without any extra charge.

Travelling by High speed trains to visit Paris and the other French regions   

Get the student discount card for ages 12-25. You can be entitled to discounts of up to 50% compared to the regular price.

Popular outdoor and sporting activities

Besides the activities offered by the university’s sporting service, the city of Rennes offer numerous sporting activities and facilities:

• Outdoor fitness circuits (Circuits Rustiques d’Activités de Plein Air - CRAPA): Paul Lafargue, Le Moulin du Comte recreation area, Les Gayeulles and Villejean parks
• Swimming pools: Bréquigny, Saint-Georges, Les Gayeulles, Villejean
• Tennis courts: Les Gayeulles, Roger-Salengro, Bréquigny, Cleunay-Lesseps, Courtemanche
• Squash courts: Les Gayeulles
• Ice skating rink: « Le Blizz », Parc des Gayeulles
• Golf courses: Saint-Jacques-de-la-Lande, Bruz
• Water-sports: Étangs d’Apigné

For further information on sporting activities organised by Rennes’ sports clubs and associations:
Office des Sports
Espace Vélodrome - 10 rue Alphonse Guérin - Rennes
Tel. 02 23 20 42 90
Bus numbers 6, 16, 64, and 67 – Bus stop: Robidou
www.sports-rennes.com  

Other leisure activities

Leisure parcs

Gayeulles, Village Oxylane, Parc de la mi-forêt

Theatres and cinemas

For a full list of theatres and cinemas in Rennes: http://www.tourisme-rennes.com

Festivals

For a full list of festivals and concerts in rennes and the breton region: http://whatson.brittanytourism.com/

Below are listed a few of the most popular cultural events in Rennes:

• Febuary : Cinema festival Travelling
• April : Theatre festival Emergences
• June : Cinema and music festival
• July : Tombées de la Nuit
• December : Transmusicales

Useful guides

The international student guide

Vivre à Rennes : guide on living in Rennes available in most local libraries

abc des loisirs: Ouest France newspaper annual supplement available in early September

In France, everyone is free to practice their religion in virtue of the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. In Rennes, despite the widespread presence of Catholic churches, most religions are represented.

In the city of Rennes, there are over 54 places of worship. For a full list, please consult the following link:
http://www.pagesjaunes.fr