Discover life in the West of France!
Welcome to Brest!
You will spend a semester, two or maybe more in one of the western most western cities in France.
In order to facilitate your stay, CMI Brest provides you with contacts and useful addresses.
Here are two videos to start with , that will give you a taste of your stay:
Before your arrival:
Have 1001 questions? It's normal.
Euraxess is here to answer them! Check out the site online, and if need be, email us!
Check out our handy "before your arrival in Brest" information sheet, it includes a checklist of documents to remember!
Finding a place to live
It's not easy to settle in a totally unknown city, sometimes on the other side of the world.
The housing guide prepared by Euraxess France explains everything!
In order to simplify your search, CMI Brest offers a selection of contacts to find accommodation easily.
Health insurance
Check out our information sheet to understand the formalities for your health insurance coverage
Schooling for children
Kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, high school: everything you need to know to enroll your children in school
French lessons
If you are a PhD student enrolled at the UBO, you should be eligible to a free French course at the Pôle Langues of the UBO : FLE (Français Langue Etrangère) at various levels :
> https://www.univ-brest.fr/polelangues/menu/FLE/FLE-au-P-le-Langues#
Other than UBO enrolled people can also follow that course, for a fee.
Or you might elect to follow a course, specific for PhD students, focused on scientific French : FOS (français sur objectifs spécifiques), contact the Pôle Langues of the UBO :
> Check a video (in French) explaining what FOS is all about : https://ubotube.univ-brest.fr/videostream/video/final_fle-2/
Want to drive in France?
Check out our information sheet "Driving in France "
Income taxes
Since 1 January 2019, income tax in France is levied at source. It is withheld each month from your salary. However, it is mandatory to report the income collected the year before. To understand everything, see our fact sheet "declare your income in France"
Everyday life in Brest
To enjoy your stay, to face the unexpected, to find the services you need at the right time, the Brest International Mobility Centre has selected essential contacts for you to live well in Brest.
Consult the contacts you need to live in Brest
What to do before leaving Brest?
To do list before leaving France