Studying in Paris For Americans

STUDENT IN PARIS: The most exalted citizens of France are students and that's a category applied as easily to a sophomore from Rutgers as to an existentialist from the Sorbonne. Any student, whether French or foreign, studying in Paris or simply there on a vacation, can take advantage of literally dozens of government-operated, or government-subsidized, student hotels, and of more than 40 student restaurants in Paris, whose prices are among the best values in Europe. Generally (but not always), you'll need proof of student status for an "International Student ID Card." With one, you can then proceed to obtain your housing and meals in Paris by following any one of three courses of action:

By writing to the O.T.U. First, and best of all, is to write to the Office du Tourisme Universitaire, c/o French Cultural Services, 972 Fifth Avenue, New York 21, which exists for no other purpose than to book students into centrally-located student hotels in Paris, provide them with access to student restaurants, French-language courses, and all the rest. Given enough advance notice, they'll book you for a minimum stay of a week in a student residence or hotel where the charge for room and breakfast can go with low prices. They'll also provide you with a brochure on other O.T.U. services, advise you on special student transport within Europe, student resorts, many other items. The O.T.U. New York office closes, by the way, from July 1 through the end of August-on the assumption, apparently, that all students are by that time in Europe.

A timely letter to the O.T.U. can obviously prove of aid. But if you have neglected to do this in advance of your trip, you can try again, in person, at the Paris office of the O.T.U. (9, avenue Georges Bernanos 75005 Paris) upon your arrival in the city. This time, the student-age personnel who man the home office will attempt to place you in a student hotel or residence-provided you plan a stay in Paris of at least a week. Even if you don't, you should still drop in to pick up their list of student restaurants serving meals (hors d'oeuvres, entree, dessert and beverage) and to obtain current information on where student meal tickets can be gotten. If you write to the New York office of O.T.U., be sure to enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope.