Bordeaux Métropole campus: our accommodation and services

Location and getting there

With 581 acres of campuses, the majority of which are located in Talence, Pessac, Bordeaux and Gradignan, the Bordeaux Métropole campus is one of the largest university campuses in Europe. It also has 37 sites and campuses in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

The 5th largest higher education centre in France in terms of headcount and the largest in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the Bordeaux metropolitan area has seen continued growth in its student population, increasing from 80,000 to 105,000 students since 2010. You too can come and study on the Bordeaux Métropole campus.

The Bordeaux Métropole campus is easily accessible and well connected. Indeed, the TBM network offers many possibilities, including the tram (line B) or bus lines 31 and 35, which run direct from the station. Saint-Jean station offers TER links for easy connections to Pessac station. Five intercity bus lines (406, 502, 503, 504 and 505) also serve the Talence campus. Finally, there are many cycle paths allowing you to cycle between the various campuses.

Campus history and development

Founded on 7 June 1441, the University of Bordeaux has a unique history, marked by events and reforms from the Renaissance to the 21st century. It started out with only 4 faculties (art, medicine, law and theology). It was only at the end of the 19th century that it evolved to accommodate the faculties of science, arts and pharmacy. But the campus remained in Bordeaux.

New faculties were set up in the early 60s. While there were only 13,000 students at that time, this figure rose to 25,000 in 1968! As the premises became too small, most of the faculties moved to a new site, the largest in France: the Pessac-Talence-Gradignan campus. Renamed Université Bordeaux Montaigne in 2014, it achieved Université d’Excellence status in 2016. In recent years, the position of the Bordeaux Métropole campus has been consolidated in a context of international dynamism.

Accommodation close to the campus

Student housing options

Ready to start the year at Bordeaux Montaigne University? Then it’s time to find your future home. A room in university halls, a student residence, lodgings in a private house, student guesthouse, private rental or shared accommodation, there are many options available to you. It all depends on your budget, your needs and, above all, the availability depending on where you are looking.

University halls and student residences

Bordeaux Montaigne University provides students with a platform called Studapart, where they can see all the available housing offers. From the rental file to booking accommodation, everything is done online.

But one quick and simple solution is the student residence, especially All Suites Study. With residences located in Bordeaux Marne, Bordeaux Chartrons, Bordeaux Lac and Mérignac, as well as in Pessac Canéjan, Pessac Bersol and Pessac Campus, you benefit from a modern, functional and welcoming living environment, close to the various Bordeaux campuses.

From single rooms to shared apartments, discover a wide variety of all-inclusive accommodation, with included and à la carte services. Bedding, bed linen, tableware and kitchen utensils, parking or bike shelter, free unlimited Wi-Fi, gym, sauna or gaming area, enjoy turnkey accommodation that is ready to move into. To benefit from accommodation in an All Suites Study residence, all you need to do is submit a booking application, fill in the form and send it to the residence of your choice. Our teams will be in touch to confirm your booking for the start of the academic year!

Student life in Bordeaux

Architecture, culture, shopping centres and shops, Arcachon Bay only 30 miles away and an international airport, Bordeaux Métropole is very appealing. Studying at the Talence-Pessac-Gradignan campus means enjoying an exceptional environment and a sought-after quality of life.

Restaurants, cafés, shops and shopping centres

Students tend to live on a tight budget. But that’s OK, because Bordeaux has plenty of reasonably priced restaurants and bars! Pizzerias, creperies, Asian cuisine or local produce, many establishments offer complete meals for €20 or less!

The same goes for bars. Bordeaux and its nightlife won’t disappoint. So if you want to go out with friends without dipping into your overdraft, Bordeaux has a number of cool yet affordable bars! Most of them can be found in Rue Saint-James, Place de la Victoire and the Saint-Pierre neighbourhood. And if you live near the Pessac campus, no problem, everything is easy to get to by tram (line B).

But Bordeaux and the metropolitan area also boast a wide selection of shops, shopping centres and leisure facilities. Bordeaux-Lac and its many activities, Rue Sainte-Catherine (the longest shopping and pedestrian street in Europe) or Les Rives d’Arcins and Mérignac Soleil, as well as Pessac Bersol.

Sports facilities, clubs and activities

The city of Bordeaux, as well as the towns in the metropolitan area, offer numerous activities and events throughout the year. Festivals, concerts, sporting events and more, everything is on the doorstep and at a great price! Get the Pessac Pass’Jeune and, for only €5, enjoy free admission (for cultural and sports outings), discounts on sporting or arts events (Vibrations Urbaines, 33/600 Comedy, etc.), tickets for the Jean Eustache cinema, and much more. There are a number of apps to make your daily life easier: Izly, Enosis, Scitis and Univ’Car, from meals at the university canteen to carpooling or private and group lessons, a whole host of information is available to help make your student life a success!

Michel Montaigne University also offers a rich and lively student life. Sports clubs, outdoor physical activities, university dance company, weights room and squash courts… the choice is yours! And the U & Me app allows you to stay up to date with campus life.