AGROPOLIS - Guest scientists & professors's guide

		HomePage Welcome Preparing your stay Settling in Montpellier How do things work in France? Montpellier and the region
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*Settling in Montpellier*

Formalities on arrival
How to find accommodation
Where to enrol your children
Where to learn French in Montpellier
How to participate in activities
How much does it cost?

Formalities on arrival

	Application for a residence permit It is necessary to apply to the prefecture for a residence permit for stays longer than three months: your host establishment or the EURAXESS Services Centre of Montpellier Languedoc-Roussillon will provide information and send your application to the prefecture. Insurance Check whether your host establishment provides obligatory health coverage and civil liability insurance or whether you must take out personal insurance.
		*Different types of insurance* The FnAK website provides information about the different types of insurance and the possibility of subscription. Kastler Foundation: http://www.cnrs.fr/fnak/ahomea.html or http://www.fnak.fr/dn_LegalWarning/ Guide to health insurance: http://www.fnak.fr/images_rubriques/images2/137.pdf Insurance Partnership: http://www.fnak.fr/test/dn_Assurance2/ Insurance desk: http://www.agropolis.fr/pdf/actu/guichet_assurance.pdf soudais@agropolis.fr

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How to find accommodation

Finding a place to stay on arrival
		Booking hotel rooms You can book hotel rooms through the tourist bureau: Office du Tourisme de Montpellier 30, allée Jean de Lattre de Tassigny F-34000 Montpellier Tel. : +33 (0)4 67 60 60 Fax.: +33 (0)4 67 60 61 Office du Tourisme: contact@ot-montpellier.fr Office du Tourisme: http://www.ot-montpellier.fr (in French)
		Hotel residences This solution (studio apartment or two rooms + kitchenette with degressive rates according to the length of stay) may suit you while you look for accommodation. Ask for the 'Agropolis tarif'. Citadines Sainte Odile Tel. : +33 (0)4 99 61 95 00 Fax.: +33 (0)4 67 52 62 19 Citadines Sainte Odile: steodile@citadines.com Citadines Sainte Odile: http://www.citadines.com/frindex0.htm (in French)
		CROUS Centre Régional des Oeuvres Universitaires et Scolaires. Furnished rooms and studio apartments in university residences. Persons with French government grants have priority. CROUS : http://www.cnous.fr/indexbis.html
		Bed and breakfast Bed and breakfast or half board (breakfast and evening meal). Accueil en France Tel./Fax.: +33 (0)4 67 64 17 00 Accueil en France : aef.weiss@wanadoo.fr Association "Accueil en Famille" - Logement chez l'habitant Centrale de réservation 63, impasse du Brestalou 34070 Montpellier Tel.: +33 (0)4 67 56 73 87 OU 06 08 50 80 55 VBI : accueilenfamille@free.fr VBI : http://accueilenfamille.free.fr
Renting an apartment
		La Maison Universitaire Internationale - 214, Rue de la Cardonille - 34090 Montpellier access : tramway station Occitanie Studio flats for 1 person, T1 and T2 for 1 or 2 persons, fully furnished and equipped, ranging from 17 sqm to 40 sqm. Conditions : priority is given to national and international researchers, lecturers and post-docs hosted in member establishments of Pôle universitaire (Universities) and Agropolis (higher education schools and research centers ; ph D students and other visitors can be accepted according to vacancies. Rent superior to 3 months : 430 €, 485 €, 600 € (according to surface), plus 10 € per month for bed linen Rent for less than 3 months : see tariffs Information and booking : Sandra TEXIER - Tél : +33 (0)4.88.56.40.90 - email : montpellier@lesquartierslatins.com office hours : Monday to Saturday, from 8.30 a.m to 12.30 and from 4.30 p.m to 7, except on Wednesday and Saturday afternoon Flats presentation, prices and booking conditions available on website (bilingual) : http://www.lesquartierslatins.com
		Small ads Consult the small ads in free papers (Bonjour, Le 34, Top-Hebdo, etc.) or in Midi Libre (daily paper, € 0.75). Top-Hebdo: http://www.petites-annonces.fr (in French) Midi-Libre: http://www.midilibre.com (in French)
		Estate agents La Maison de l'Immobilier lists rentals available from estate agents in Montpellier. Maison de l'Immobilier 19, rue de la République F-34000 Montpellier Tel. : +33 (0)4 67 92 71 00 Fax.: +33 (0)4 67 92 71 67 FNAIM : http://www.fnaim.fr (in French) Se loger : http://www.montpellier.seloger.com (in French)
Rental conditions in France and rent aid
		*Rental conditions, tenants' rights, etc.* The FnAK website provides information about rental conditions (lease, deposit, agents' fees, notice, etc.), rent aid and tenants' rights Kastler Foundation: http://www.cnrs.fr/fnak/elogemef.html (in French)
		Caisse d'Allocations Familiales CAF - Caisse d'Allocations Familiales Caisse d'Allocations Familiales can a provide financial aid called accommodation benefit that pays part of the rent. The amount depends on the family income and the number of persons : conditions and forms online. ADDRESS : CAF - Caisse d'allocations familiales de Montpellier 139, avenue de Lodève - 34943 Montpellier cedex 9 Opening hours for public : Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. To get in touch with an officer on the phone Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m : dial 0820 25 34 20 CAF de Montpellier : http://www.montpellier.caf.fr (in French) CAF de Montpellier : http://www.montpellier.caf.fr (in French)
		*Association representing consumers' rights* Agence Départementale pour l'Information sur le Logement ADIL DE L'HERAULT Montpellier 4bis, boulevard Rondelet 34000 Montpellier Tél : +33 (0)4.67.555.555 http://www.anil.org/
	Types of apartments . 'Studio' apartment: one room with a kitchenette and a bathroom. . 'F1', 'F2', 'F3' (or 'T1', 'T2', etc. or 'P1', 'P2', etc.): the number is for the number of rooms in addition to the kitchen and bathroom. For example, an 'F3' apartment has a living room and two bedrooms.
	Include the following in your accommodation budget: . deposit (the equivalent of one or two months rent) . estate agent's fees . insurance (obligatory!) . taxes : local council tax is obligatory for all tenants renting a flat or house on the 1rst of January. Further information (in French) : http://www.impots.gouv (cliquer sur "particuliers" puis "vos impôts") ou http://www.pratique.fr/argent/impot/daf1503.htm Get in touch with Tax centres : Montpellier ouest/nord : +33 (0)4 67 61 73 00 Montpellier sud : +33 (0)4 67 22 61 00 Montpellier est : +33 (0)4 67 13 42 00
	Also : http://www.agropolis.fr/practical/accomodation.html

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Where to enrol your children

	Crèche, day-care centre, kindergarten, care at home
		*Service Enfance* Montpellier town hall provides information about the various care facilities for young children. Service Enfance 18, avenue Frédéric Mistral F-34000 Montpellier Tel. : +33 (0)4 67 34 70 00 (ou 61) Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Guide (Montpellier) : http://www.ville-montpellier.fr/vmtm/modele/index.php?idrub=282 (in French)
	Schools
		Public schools Apply to the Rectorat de l'Académie de Montpellier to enrol children at nursery schools (2 to 6 years old), primary schools (6 to 11 years old) and secondary schools (collège and lycée). Public education is free. Inspection Académique de l'Hérault 31, rue de l'Université F-34058 Montpellier Cedex 1 Tel. : +33 (0)4 67 91 52 52 Fax.: +33 (0)4 67 60 74 16 Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9 to 11.45 a.m. and 2 to 4.45 p.m. Inspection Académique de l'Hérault : http://www.ac-montpellier.fr (in French) Enrollment for non-French-speaking children The Guest Scientists Office will inform you, make previous enrollment and provide assistance in dealing with school administration. Guest Scientists Office, Agropolis : soudais@agropolis.fr
		Addresses of nursery and primary schools in Montpellier Ville de Montpellier : http://www.ville-montpellier.fr/vmtm/modele/index.php?idrub=5 (in French)
		*Description of the French educational system* Ministry of Education: http://www.education.gouv.fr/syst/default.htm (in French) Education portal : http://www.education.fr (in French)

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Where to learn French in Montpellier

	Numerous French courses are provided by public and private establishments.
		*List by town* The Ministry of Foreign Affairs website provides town by town lists. Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/education/langue_fr/fle/ (in French)
		Université de Montpellier III Institut d'Etudes françaises pour étudiants et professeurs étrangers IEFE Route de Mende F-34199 Montpellier Cedex 5 Tel. : +33 (0)4 67 14 21 01 Fax.: +33 (0)4 67 14 23 94 IEFE : iefe@univ-montp3.fr IEFE : http://iefe.univ-montp3.fr/english/index.php
		CIHEAM - International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Studies / Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Montpellier Centre de Français Centre de Français 3191, route de Mende F-34093 Montpellier Cedex 5 Tel. : +33 (0)4 67 04 60 02 Fax.: +33 (0)4 67 54 25 27 IAMM : peral@iamm.fr or centre_fr@iamm.fr IAMM : http://www.iamm.fr (see: Activités, appui scientifique et technique) (in French) Courses at IAMM: http://www.iamm.fr/html/acti/appui/fle/ (in French)
		*EURAXESS Services Centre of Montpellier Languedoc Roussillon* The EURAXESS Services Centre of Montpellier Languedoc Roussillon organises French courses for guest scientists. Information and enrolment: http://www.agropolis.fr/english/guide/newfle2.html or request by email to : soudais@agropolis.fr
		Maisons pour Tous Several "Maison pour Tous" (cultural centres) offer French classes for adults and teenagers at beginners, intermediate or advanced levels. Information : - in free leaflet "Maisons pour Tous" (available at Town Hall and in each "Maison pour Tous") : see pages 24 and 25 - on Montpellier city website : in top line click on "culture, sports et loisirs", then in column on the left click on "loisirs", then "loisirs pour tous", finally on "langues et alphabétisation" http://www.montpellier.fr/20-la-mairie.htm http://www.montpellier.fr/1100-loisirs-pour-tous.htm

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How to participate in activities

	An association is available for newcomers to Montpellier. It organises many activities to enhance acquaintance with the city, the region and its inhabitants:
		*Accueil des villes françaises* 7, rue Verrerie basse F-34000 Montpellier Tel. : +33 (0)4 67 66 15 44 Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 2.30 to 5 p.m. Accueil des villes françaises: http://www.avf.asso.fr (clic on "régions" then "Languedoc Roussillon" and finally "AVF Locaux" on the top of the page)

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How much does it cost?

. A taxi from the airport to the city centre: €16.50 (day) and € 22.50 euros (night, Sundays and public holidays).
. Hotels: one night at a 2-star hotel: €30 to 50; breakfast from €5
. A tourist tax charged per person per day may be added according to the hotel category and the town.
. At the baker's: a French ‘baguette’ costs €0.45 to €0.70 depending on the weight.
. Cafés: a coffee (black) costs €1.5 (€1.8 in Paris), a soft drink or a fruit juice costs about €3.

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Agropolis International - EURAXESS Services Centre of Montpellier Languedoc Roussillon - Guest Scientists Office Avenue Agropolis F-34394 Montpellier Cedex 5 Tel.: +33 (0)4 67 04 75 63 Fax : +33 (0)4 67 04 75 99
	Claudine Soudais : soudais@agropolis.fr
	Agropolis : http://www.agropolis.fr

Co-production : Agropolis - Pôle Universitaire Européen de Montpellier et du Languedoc-Roussillon Guide design: Claudine Soudais (Agropolis International) Web page design and navigation: Olivier Piau (Agropolis Productions). Update on 05/2009 Questions about the guide: Claudine Soudais