Congratulations on landing an internship in Paris! Now comes the dreaded puzzle every temporary mobility situation brings: finding housing for 1 to 6 months in the capital.
Demand is high, especially between April and October, timelines are short, and many landlords prefer to let for a full year. Here's how to go about it.
Why standard rentals don't work for an internship
The vast majority of Paris apartments are rented under a one-year lease when furnished, or a three-year lease when unfurnished. For 1 to 6 months, neither fits.
The result: many interns end up:
- Paying exorbitant prices in student residences
- Sharing an Airbnb with several people to split the cost
- Bouncing from sublet to sublet with no safety net
Yet there is a lease designed for exactly your situation.
The bail mobilité: the lease made for an internship
Created by the ELAN law in 2018, the bail mobilité (mobility lease) is a furnished lease reserved for people in training, on an internship, studying, in an apprenticeship or on a temporary assignment. It's the format that best fits a Paris internship.
A length set to your internship. From 1 to 10 months, fixed when you sign. You can leave earlier with one month's notice.
A ready-to-live-in flat. The bail mobilité only covers furnished flats: bedding, kitchen, dishes, everything is in place from day one.
No security deposit. The landlord isn't allowed to ask for one.
No guarantor in France? The free Visale guarantee can act as your guarantor.
A capped rent. Paris rent control applies to the bail mobilité too: check the rent in seconds.
All the details are in our bail mobilité guide.
What about subletting? It's legal with the owner's written consent, and a rent per square metre no higher than the main tenant's. Without that consent you have no protection: ask for it before paying anything.
Which arrondissement to target based on your internship
Where your internship is located often determines the ideal arrondissement:
- La Défense → the 17th, 8th, or directly in Puteaux/Courbevoie to cut commute time
- Central Paris (1st to 6th) → the 5th, 11th, 13th for good value
- Startups & tech (10th and 11th) → stay in eastern Paris, well-served and lively
- Institutions (7th, 15th) → the 14th or 15th to stay close by
Avoid searching for housing at the opposite end of the city from your internship: Paris commutes can easily eat up 1h30 a day, which wears you down over the months.
Mistakes to avoid
Never pay before viewing the place (even over video call). Rental scams targeting international interns are common (the warning signs). Be wary of any offer that seems too good, or any landlord asking for a transfer before a viewing.
Don't sign a lease you don't understand. If the contract is in French and you're not fluent, have it reviewed before signing.
Don't start too late. Begin your search at least 3 to 4 weeks before you arrive. In June-July, the market is especially tight.
Where to actually search
Several options are available to you:
- Listing sites (Leboncoin, SeLoger, PAP, Bien'ici): filter on furnished flats and look for "bail mobilité" in the listing text
- Your school's network, especially if you're on a university exchange
- Facebook groups (mixed results, caution required)
Whatever the channel, what makes the difference is speed and a clear application.
In summary
Finding internship housing in Paris is doable, provided you start early and look for the right format. Skip the year-long leases: the bail mobilité is made for you, with no security deposit and Visale as your guarantor. Pick an arrondissement that matches your internship location, check the rent, and start your search at least a month in advance.
Good luck with your internship in Paris!
