Besançon

Recently ranked the 2nd best student city in France (2025 ranking – L’Étudiant), Besançon has implemented several welcome initiatives for students.

Organized through local partnerships, these services aim to make your arrival easier and guide you through administrative procedures.

Welcome Structures

• Welcome Desk

Reception service of Marie and Louis Pasteur University: help with administrative procedures, housing, health, etc.
Address: Maison des Étudiants – 36 A Avenue de l’Observatoire
Contact: +33 3 81 66 66 99

• DREIF (Office for European, International and Francophone Relations)

University office dedicated to international students.
Address: Place Saint-Jacques, MSHE Building
Contact: +33 3 81 66 55 96

• Erasmus Student Network (ESN) Besançon

This student association offers international students the chance to join outings, meet other foreign students, and connect with locals.
Instagram: esn_besancon
Contact: +33 7 62 48 67 18

• « Accueil étudiant » ("Student Welcome" Platform)

A digital space for students in Besançon, designed to answer all questions related to student life (food, housing, transport, financial aid, culture, sports, etc.). A chatbot is also available to interact in the student’s native language.

Welcome Events

• Thursday, September 5 – International Student Welcome Day

09:30 to 12:30 – Maison des Sciences de l’Homme, 1 rue Charles Nodier
Presentation of the university and its services, information fair, followed by a free lunch offered by the DREIF at the Mégevand university restaurant.

• Wednesday, September 11 – Bienvenue Aux Etudiants 

9:00 to 23:00 – Bouloie Campus
A major festive and free event open to all: color run, zip line, blind test, dance battles, entertainment, DJ sets and information stands.

• Saturday, October 11 – Nuit des Étudiants du Monde

From 19:30 – La Rodia
A festive and musical evening organized by ESN Besançon to celebrate the start of the academic year with over 400 international students.
Instagram: @esn_besancon 

• Student Welcome Calendar

From September to October: Local student associations offer more than 50 events to share their passions: dance classes, touch rugby, self-defense, bike repair, and more.

Buddy System

In Besançon, the ESN Besançon association offers a Buddy System for international students. For more information, visit:  https://besancon.esnfrance.org/parrainage-buddysystem/ 

Further information

Back-to-school meetings dedicated to supporting international students are organised in each part of the university.

Researchers are supported and welcomed by the Euraxess service centre. 
For more information: https://www.univ-fcomte.fr/venir-luniversite-en-tant-que-chercheur-etranger#.YOhXf-c69PY