1

Do you want someone else to decide for you? You have written the advantages of both places as you see them -- you just have to decide on your own.

And yes, housing in Grenoble will be cheaper and easier to find than in Paris. And you can get to the ski slopes in half an hour from the centre.

2

But for how much of an academic year is skiing a possibility?
How often will your student budget allow you to afford to ski? Or travel on weekends?

For me, I'd rather be in Paris wishing I was in Grenoble than vice versa. More ways to console myself.

3

Just like to point out that the Alps are not the only places to ski in France. There are other possibilities in the year you will be there to go to the Auvergne or Alsace or the Jura, so going to Paris does not rule out taking a ski break.

4

Thanks, everyone!

I certainly am not asking anyone to make a decision for me. I was merely hoping those who have been to these cities or have knowledge of France could offer insight on what there is to do that I may not be aware of, what the environment is like for students, etc.

I know that regardless of which location I choose, I should have time to visit the other place, since I am planning to be there for the whole year. As for Grenoble, I was under the impression that, in addition to skiing, there were a lot of outdoor activities available (hiking, biking, etc.), plus just being near mountains and that scenery is a draw for me. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

The other thought in my mind is that since Grenoble is less expensive (both the program tuition and cost of living), it would allow me to travel to other places (such as Paris) more easily since money wouldn't be as much of a concern. Although perhaps as clementis_fur_cap said, it would be better to be in Paris, unable to travel very often, than somewhere else wanting to go to Paris.

5

I would definitely go to Grenoble. I'm French and after my studies I had to move to Paris. Never again!
Of course it's beautiful, there's a lot to see...etc. Yeah, it must be nice for a tourist!
But believe me, living there is far different! The rents are expensive! The metro is overcrowded!...
I don't know about N.York, but it might be similar, and you might like Paris then. But for me, that was too much!

6

Hi alexa!

From what you say you like, and if the budget isn't an issue, I'd stick to Paris. I hurts to say so (I'm a big fan of the Alps and lived there for a while - personnaly hate Paris ^^) but this is where you'll get most opportunities.

Grenoble is too small to always give you something new to do, unless you're an absolute nature addict and need to climb mountains / ski / trek every weekend. Beware also that you'd probably need a car there, in order not to feel trapped.

Paris will give you something that Grenoble cannot: choice and a central location. A weekend in London, no problem. Bretagne, Normandie, Pays Basque... just take the TGV or an overnight train. Music, museums, sports... And you can also take a night train to go skiing on weekends (though it can be expensive if you do it every week).

That said, if I could have done my studies in Grenoble instead of Paris, I'd have, but that's because I used to live in Vercors (mountains south of Grenoble) and I hate living in a city. I really like a quiet, outdoor life...

So you have to weight your options, decide what's more important for you: never get bored, always have things to do (beware that other students might be heading home during weekends = don't count on them too much), or enjoy outdoor sports as much as you want but have less to do on evenings and on rainy day (autumn isn't the best season to enjoy the mountains)...