A Complete Guide for New International Students: Smart Ways to Save on Food Expenses While Studying in France

France has long been one of the most popular study destinations for international students thanks to its world-class education system, affordable tuition fees, and rich cultural environment. In recent years, an increasing number of Vietnamese students have also chosen English-taught degree programs in France, allowing them to access high-quality European education without being fluent in French before departure.

However, besides tuition fees and accommodation costs, food expenses are one of the largest recurring monthly costs every international student needs to budget carefully. Without a solid financial plan, it's easy to exceed your budget within just the first few weeks of living in France.

Is Food Expensive for International Students in France?

One of the questions LEAP Vietnam receives most frequently from students preparing to study in France is:

"How much should I budget for food each month?"

The answer depends on several factors, including:

• The city where you live
• Your eating habits
• Whether you cook at home or eat out frequently

Living in Paris is naturally more expensive than cities such as Lille, Rennes, Brest, Dijon, or Clermont-Ferrand.

On average, however, international students spend around €250–€400 per month on food.

By taking advantage of student discounts and developing the habit of cooking at home, you can easily keep your food expenses within a reasonable budget.

Average Prices of Common Food Items in France

Below are approximate prices for everyday groceries and meals in France

These prices are averages and may vary depending on the city, supermarket, brand, and season.

How Much Should Students Spend on Food Each Day?

A practical daily food budget for many international students is around €8–12, divided as follows:

• Breakfast: approximately €2
• Lunch: €3–5
• Dinner: €3–5

If you prepare meals at home and bring lunch to university or work, your daily food expenses can be even lower.

10 Smart Ways to Save Money on Food While Studying in France

1. Cook at Home Instead of Eating Out

This is by far the most effective way to reduce your monthly expenses.

A single restaurant meal can easily cost €15–30, while the same amount of money can buy enough ingredients to prepare several homemade meals.

Cooking at home also allows you to:

• Choose healthier ingredients
• Maintain a balanced diet
• Enjoy meals that suit Vietnamese tastes
• Reduce fast-food consumption
• Better control food portions

If you're new to cooking, start with simple dishes such as rice, braised meat, soup, pasta, salads, or stir-fried vegetables.

2. Plan Your Weekly Meals

Many students go grocery shopping when they're hungry or simply buy whatever catches their attention, leading to unnecessary spending.

Instead, spend 15 minutes each weekend planning your meals for the following week.

Meal planning helps you:

• Buy only what you actually need
• Reduce food waste
• Save cooking time
• Manage your grocery budget more effectively

3. Shop at Supermarkets Instead of Convenience Stores

Supermarkets in France generally offer much better prices than convenience stores.

Popular supermarket chains among students include:

• Carrefour
• Lidl
• Aldi
• Intermarché
• Auchan
• E.Leclerc
• Monoprix (slightly more expensive but known for higher-quality products)

Many supermarkets also offer their own private-label brands, which often provide excellent quality at significantly lower prices than well-known national brands.

4. Buy Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables

Seasonal produce is usually much cheaper—and often fresher.

For example:

Summer

• Peaches
• Plums
• Melons
• Tomatoes

Autumn

• Apples
• Pears
• Grapes

Winter

• Cabbage
• Potatoes
• Pumpkins

Spring

• Asparagus
• Strawberries

Buying seasonal produce not only saves money but also ensures better taste and nutritional value.

5. Take Advantage of Supermarket Promotions

Most French supermarkets regularly offer promotions such as:

• End-of-day flash sales
• Weekly discounts
• Buy-one-get-one or multi-buy offers
• Digital coupons
• Loyalty card rewards

Before shopping, check supermarket flyers or mobile apps to find the best deals.

6. Use Food Waste Reduction Apps

One of the best money-saving tips shared among international students is using apps that sell surplus food at heavily discounted prices.

Through these platforms, you can purchase:

• Bread
• Sushi
• Salads
• Ready-made meals
• Pastries
• Fresh fruit

at discounts of 50% to 70%.

It's an excellent way to save money while helping reduce food waste.

7. Eat at University Cafeterias (Restaurant Universitaire)

If you study at a public university in France, don't overlook the university dining halls.

A typical student meal often includes:

• A main course
• Salad or appetizer
• Dessert
• Bread
• A beverage

These meals are offered at highly subsidized student prices and are much cheaper than eating at restaurants.

They're especially convenient on busy days when you don't have time to cook.

8. Share Grocery Costs with Your Roommates

If you live in shared accommodation or student housing, consider:

• Buying groceries in bulk
• Cooking together
• Taking turns preparing dinner
• Sharing the cost of cooking oil, spices, and other common ingredients

Besides lowering expenses, cooking together is a great way to build friendships.

9. Cut Back on Takeaway Drinks

Buying coffee or bubble tea every day may seem harmless, but those small purchases quickly add up.

Instead, prepare:

• A reusable water bottle
• Homemade coffee
• Tea bags
• An insulated travel mug

The savings become surprisingly significant over the course of a year.

10. Set a Weekly Food Budget

Rather than monitoring your spending only at the end of the month, divide your budget into weekly limits.

For example:

• Monthly food budget: €320
• Weekly budget: approximately €80

Tracking your expenses weekly makes it much easier to adjust your spending before you run out of money.

Common Mistakes That Cost International Students Extra Money

During the first few months of studying in France—whether in English or French—many students make avoidable financial mistakes, including:

• Buying too much food at once and letting it spoil
• Eating out frequently because they haven't learned to cook
• Shopping without a grocery list
• Ignoring supermarket promotions
• Not using university cafeterias
• Missing out on student discounts

Changing just a few everyday habits can easily save hundreds of euros each year.

Tips for Managing Your Budget While Studying in France

Besides food expenses, remember to budget for:

• Rent
• Public transportation
• Health insurance
• Mobile phone bills
• Entertainment
• Study materials

Using a simple budgeting spreadsheet or a personal finance app can help you track your spending and avoid unnecessary expenses.

Food is an essential part of every international student's monthly budget. Fortunately, with thoughtful planning and smart spending habits, you can significantly reduce your food costs without sacrificing your health or quality of life.

If you're planning to study in France or enroll in an English-taught program in France, understanding living expenses in advance will help you prepare financially and adapt more quickly once you arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How much do international students typically spend on food in France?

Most international students spend approximately €250–€400 per month, depending on the city where they live and their eating habits.

2. Do students enrolled in English-taught programs receive the same student benefits as French-taught students?

Yes.Students enrolled in accredited English-taught degree programs enjoy virtually the same student benefits as those studying in French, including access to subsidized university cafeterias and many other public student services.

3. Is cooking at home recommended while studying in France?

Absolutely. Cooking at home is the most effective way to save money while maintaining a healthy, balanced diet that suits your personal preferences.

4. Are university cafeterias in France good?

Yes.University cafeterias offer nutritious, well-balanced meals at affordable student prices and are widely used by both French and international students.

5. Does LEAP Vietnam provide financial planning advice for students studying in France?

Yes. LEAP Vietnam helps students develop realistic financial plans, choose suitable academic programs, and prepare comprehensive applications for both French-taught and English-taught degree programs in France, ensuring they are fully prepared before beginning their study abroad journey.

----------------------------------------

LEAP Vietnam - Quy Trình Hỗ Trợ Miễn Phí Vào Các Trường Lớn Tại Pháp

👩🏻‍💻 Người phụ trách: Cô Aurore Phạm

☎️ Điện thoại: 085 810 8111

🌐 Website: www.leapvietnam.com

📧 Email: info@leapvietnam.com

➖ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LEAPAdmissions/

➖ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@leapvietnam

➖ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leapvietnam/

➖ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@leap.vietnam

Văn phòng:

➖ Hà Nội: Tầng 3, toà nhà Belvedere 28A Trần Hưng Đạo, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Việt Nam

➖ Hồ Chí Minh: tầng 11, tòa nhà Deutsches Haus, 33 Lê Duẩn, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Việt Nam

➖ Paris: 49 Av. d’Iéna, 75116 Paris, Pháp

➖ Marseille: 132 Bd Michelet, 13008 Marseille, Pháp

➖ Lyon: Tour To-Lyon, 49 Bd Marius Vivier Merle, 69003 Lyon, Pháp