Internship or Apprenticeship Housing in Paris, Bordeaux & Toulouse

Landed an internship or apprenticeship in a new city? Before your first day at work, there's one more thing to sort out: finding somewhere to live. Between apartments that aren't available for your dates, comparing rents and arranging everything from another city or country, the search can feel complicated.

Whether you're moving for a few months or a full year, you have several options. A furnished apartment, a student residence, a flatshare or temporary accommodation could all work. The right choice depends on your budget, how long you'll be staying and where your workplace is located.

Here's how to narrow down your search in Paris, Bordeaux and Toulouse.

1. What type of accommodation works for an internship or apprenticeship?

Start with what you actually need. A four-month internship and a two-year work-study programme won't necessarily call for the same setup.

A furnished rental is particularly useful for a temporary move. The essentials are already there, so there's no need to buy furniture you'll have to move again a few months later. For a standard furnished rental used as your main home in France, tenants can generally leave with one month's notice. An eligible internship or apprenticeship may also qualify for a “bail mobilité”, a specific lease lasting between one and ten months.

A flatshare lets you split the rent and some household costs. It's worth considering if you enjoy living with other people, provided their schedules and routines work with yours.

Student residences are another option. Depending on the operator's eligibility rules, they may accept students completing internships, apprenticeships or work-study placements. They typically offer private furnished accommodation and on-site services.

At Canvas, interns, apprentices and work-study students can apply for an apartment in its student residences. Apartments come furnished and equipped, with an all-inclusive rent covering essentials such as utilities and Wi-Fi. Depending on the residence, you'll also have access to study spaces, gyms and lounges. With a one-month notice period, it's a particularly flexible option.

2. Where should you look in Paris, Bordeaux and Toulouse?

Location can make a real difference. If you're on a work-study programme, you may need to travel between your employer and your school each week. For an internship, prioritise a straightforward journey to work rather than restricting your search to the same neighbourhood.

Paris: choose a location with the right transport links
Paris's public transport network makes it possible to look beyond the city limits. That can be especially useful if you're working in a business district or want easy access to central Paris.

If you're working in western Paris, La Défense is a strategic location. It's home to many major companies and has several transport connections. Canvas Paris La Défense offers furnished apartments close to the business district, alongside study, fitness and leisure facilities.

In Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, metro lines 13 and 14 make it easy to reach different parts of Paris. This is where you'll find Canvas Paris Blue, a newly opened residence with modern apartments just outside the capital.

Ivry-sur-Seine is another location worth considering for travel towards southern and central Paris. Canvas Paris Ivry is very close to the RER C, with furnished apartments and shared spaces.

Compare journeys at the times you'll actually be commuting, rather than relying on the distance shown on a map.

Bordeaux: between business districts and student life
Bordeaux's tram network and cycle paths connect many neighbourhoods without the need for a car. Depending on where you'll be working, Bassins à Flot, Lormont and Bègles are all worth exploring.

Bassins à Flot is a lively waterfront neighbourhood with restaurants, shops and places to spend time by the docks. Canvas Bordeaux Docks puts you in the area while keeping the rest of Bordeaux within reach.

If easy access to tram line A is a priority, consider Lormont. Canvas Bordeaux East is opposite a tram stop and has a rooftop, gym, cinema and coworking facilities.

South of the city, Bègles has convenient links to central Bordeaux and Saint-Jean railway station. Canvas Bordeaux Bègles is another option for students completing internships or work-study placements in the area.

Toulouse: stay close to campuses and employers
Where you work matters particularly in Toulouse, especially if your placement is in aerospace, engineering or research.

Rangueil is a useful location for students splitting their time between work and southern Toulouse institutions such as Université Paul Sabatier, INSA and ENAC. Canvas Toulouse Rangueil is near these campuses and metro line B.

To the south-east, Labège is home to many businesses, especially in technology and professional services. If your internship or apprenticeship is based nearby, Canvas Toulouse Labège offers furnished accommodation with study areas and shared facilities.

Check the route to your employer before committing: some parts of the Toulouse metropolitan area are easier to reach by bus, bicycle or car than by metro.

3. How do you prepare your application and book?

Having your documents ready can save time, especially if your start date is approaching.

For a Canvas application, the main documents to prepare are:

• Valid ID: a passport or national identity card.
• Proof of status: an internship agreement, apprenticeship contract or proof of enrolment, depending on your circumstances.
• Proof of address: rent receipts or a host's accommodation certificate, depending on your circumstances.
• A rental guarantee: documents from an eligible personal guarantor or a guarantee solution such as GarantMe.

You can apply directly online with Canvas. Choose an available apartment and move-in date, create your account and upload your documents. Once your application has been approved, you can sign electronically and complete the steps needed before moving in.

Looking for somewhere to live in January, next term or just a few weeks from now? Availability changes throughout the year. If you can't find an apartment that matches your dates, contact the Canvas team or join the waiting list to hear about new availability.

4. Ready for your internship or apprenticeship?

Moving for an internship or apprenticeship is a chance to experience a new city, build professional experience and become more independent. Choosing an apartment you feel comfortable in is a great place to start.

With residences in Paris, Bordeaux and Toulouse, Canvas welcomes students, interns and apprentices into furnished, equipped apartments, with on-site services and shared spaces.

Explore available Canvas apartments and book your next home.