Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Find out if you will need a visa for your stay in France. Current regulations allow U.S. citizens to stay in France for up to 90 days. If you want to stay longer, then apply for a long-stay visa. Student and working visas allow you to rent an apartment in France for the length of your trip.
Check with your U.S. bank and find out how to move funds abroad. Most apartments in France will require a security deposit of 1- to 2-months' rent. In most cases, you need to have proof of French residence before you can open a French bank account. In the event of a dispute, wire transfers provide a better paper trail than traveler's checks.
Hit the streets and look for local listings. In large cities like Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon and Toulouse, look around metro and tram stops during the morning and evening commutes. Most French cities give out a few different free newspapers during these hours that have local apartment listings. Universities often have bulletin boards in student centers where people post vacancies and roommate searches.
Ask real estate agents (agent immobilier) for help, but be wary of any upfront costs. Some shady renters will promise to show you a listing of vacant apartments for a fee. Stay away from these agencies, as they are often scams. Good real estate agents will only charge you once you've found an apartment.
Report your residence to the local Prefecture once you've settled. Most visas give you 14 days to report a change of residence. You may also be required to apply for a "Titre de Séjour," which will be your new French identification card.