Aix-en-Provence Housing

CEA offers the following housing options in Aix-en-Provence:

• Homestays
  
• Residence Mirabeau Apartments
  
• Shared Apartments
  
• Independent Living
  

Every attempt will be made to match each student's preferences with our housing options; however, housing preferences cannot be guaranteed as roommate and housing assignments are based upon availability, date of confirmation, and other factors. We encourage you to apply early as it will assist us in organizing your housing arrangements.

Homestays

There is probably no better way for students to be immersed in their host culture than to share everyday life with a French family. Our homestay families have been interviewed, screened and used numerous times. Generally, the families do not speak English so even beginners will have to take the language plunge! Of course, conforming to another family’s rules, especially if they seem strict, may be a strain. Students may need to accept some limits on their independence. Students may find themselves living not in a traditional family unit, but with a single individual and one or more family members. Retired single individuals frequently enjoy hosting students; therefore, students should expect neither a traditional French nuclear family unit, nor the dynamics that one might otherwise experience in a traditional family. Breakfast is provided daily as well as five dinners per week. Students living in homestays will have a fifteen to forty minute walk or ten to fifteen minute bus ride to their classes and downtown.

Residence Mirabeau Apartments

The Residence Mirabeau is a privately owned student complex. It is located in the center of town in the historical Quartier Mazarin area, thirty yards from the CEA office, a two minute walk from the Cours Mirabeau and a ten minute walk to your host institution. Residence Mirabeau is made up of forty apartments on three floors. CEA rents approximately ten of the apartments and the other units are occupied by French students studying at various schools in Aix. Students living in Residence Mirabeau will share an apartment with another CEA student. The apartments are mostly studios with a loft sleeping area for two people. This option is ideal for students who will be living in an apartment for the first time and who wish to interact with their American peers while maintaining their own independence. With a live-in resident manager, students find it comforting to have a "mother figure" close at hand. There is no meal plan for students living in apartments. Students can buy fresh produce at Aix's daily market and a multitude of grocery stores are scattered throughout the centre of Aix. The apartments all have kitchenettes equipped with a two-burner stove top, microwave oven and refrigerator. This housing option is available all year round.

Shared Apartments (Spring Only)

This option is available during the Spring semester only and is suitable for responsible, independent and mature students who are accustomed to apartment living. The apartments are situated throughout the center of Aix and are generally not more than a ten minute walk to the host institution. There is no meal plan for students living in apartments. The apartments all have kitchenettes equipped with a two-burner stove top, microwave oven and refrigerator. Students can buy fresh produce at Aix's daily market and a multitude of grocery stores are scattered throughout the centre of Aix. Students will share a bedroom with another CEA student.

Independent Living 

CEA highly recommends that students live in the housing provided. Requests for permission to arrange independent housing must be made on the online housing or paper application form as determined by your program no later than the application closure date. For academic year students, requests for permission to arrange independent living arrangements for the second semester must be made no later than the second semester's application closure date. Students whose requests are approved will receive a rebate for housing. CEA resident directors will not provide assistance with independent housing and will not speak or act on behalf of any student who chooses to pursue such arrangements. Rebates are not granted for students who move out of their CEA housing or choose to pursue independent living arrangements after the application closure date.