Life in Valenciennes & on the campus

Students associations

Well, students in France are not that different from students anywhere else in the world. They participate in many student associations. Here is a sample of associations; of course, there are many others...

• Students association (they organize students life, plan many events, etc).
• Sports association (they organize events)
• Photography
• Robotics
• Sailing

Sports

There are two ways to practice your favorite sport: through a university sports club or at any other club.

Information for university clubs is available Here

If you cannot find your favorite sport or want to practice more, you can join the numerous sports clubs available in Valenciennes and the neighboring cities. More information Here.

Shopping, food, clothes, etc

All of the following shops are within walking distance of the campus.

The "Carrefour" mall is a large shopping center in France, offering a variety of stores, restaurants, and a hypermarket, where you can find everything from groceries to electronics  There is another similar mall, Auchan Valenciennes (take the tram to Nungesser station).

You will also find "Decathlon" and  "Intersport" shops devoted to sports items, sport clothes. 

Usually, when you arrive, your room is empty. Action is a popular discount store in France, offering a wide range of low-cost household items, decorations, cleaning products, toys, and DIY supplies, similar to a dollar store but with a European touch.

If you need some fresh croissants or "pains au chocolat", you will find some at the bakery located 20m from the Jules Marmotan residence (Here, but Google maps is not up to date, the bakery is really there). Another option is the "Louise" bakery here

If you want to see if all McDonald's around the world taste the same, you can try one here.

Health issue, accident, etc.

We have an health center with a doctor, psychologist, neuro-psychologies, nurse, dentist, ostheopath. It is free for all the student enrolled at UPHF. More info on their webpage  and in this this file.

French social security system 

In France, we have a mandatory Health Insurance denoted as "Sécurité Sociale Etudiante" that covers basic needs (doctor appointment, common medicines). It will reimburse approximately 70% of the consultation fees, and between 10%-80% of common medicines.  Glasses and teeth works are almost not covered while being very expensive. If you need glasses, consider buying them in your home country as it is probably cheaper. 

If you want a better coverage, you may pay monthly for a "Mutuelle" also known as "Complémentaire Santé". It offers several plans, the more you pay monthly, the more it covers your health expenses.  Plans typically cost between 5€/month and 50€/month.

Read more about "Mutuelle" here.

If you have an health issue or an accident

There is a "health center" on the campus which is convenient for most of the usual small issues.  More info on their webpage  and in this this file.

If you need any health specialist (doctor, dentist, gynecologist, etc), you may use online platforms such as doctolib or maiia to search for available appointments. You can filter by spoken language.

As an international student, you will be included in WhatsApp communities with former students. They may know some doctors who speak English or even Portuguese. You can also request assistance from someone at the International Relations office if you have difficulty finding an appointment.

In Valenciennes, the "Centre Medical du Musée" often has available appointments. Google maps link

In case of emergency, there is an hospital Here and you can call the "Pompier" by dialing 18 or the "SAMU" by dialing 15.

At night or on weekends, doctors and pharmacies are closed. However, there is always a doctor on call within a ~20 km radius. Call the police (17) to get their number.