View our NYU in Paris photo gallery to see images of the program and city.
The City of Paris
One of the most captivating cities in Europe, Paris retains its timeless legacy as an artistic, intellectual, and literary pacesetter. The Eiffel Tower, symbol of the city, dominates the skyline. North of the Seine, the Right Bank is home to monumental buildings, grand boulevards, and major museums, including the Louvre and the Centre Pompidou. The Left Bank (rive gauche) invokes a Bohemian and intellectual atmosphere with its university communities, cafés, restaurants, jazz clubs, and chic boutiques.
Students at the NYU in Paris Center have the opportunity to explore all the artistic treasures and cultural landmarks the city has to offer, including Sacré-Coeur at Montmartre; Notre-Dame Cathedral on the Ile de La Cité; the Jardin des Tuileries; and the world's most beautiful avenue, the Champs-Elysées.
Climate
Students are urged to travel light but to bring warm clothing to Paris. Clothing which can be easily layered is your best bet for remaining comfortable throughout the seasons you'll experience during a semester abroad. Although winter temperatures seldom drop below 30°F, it is frequently cool and rainy.
Customs and Culture
During NYU in Paris’s orientation and intensive preliminary French course, you will be introduced to certain facets of French customs, culture, and language that will hopefully ease your transition to life in Paris.
In the meantime, know that Paris is a cosmopolitan city and its inhabitants represent a fantastic mix of cultures, religions, backgrounds and socio-economic levels. Though it is impossible to generalize about such a diverse population, you may find that Parisians tend to be more formal than most Americans when it comes to language, dress, common courtesy, and even food.
For example…
-
Parisians always say “bonjour” when entering a restaurant, store, or even elevator when they enter, and “au revoir” when they leave.
-
The French language has two ways of saying you: “tu” (known as “tutoiement”) for people you know very well in the singular and “vous” (“vouvoiement”) the formal and plural form). To avoid any awkward social situations it’s always a good rule to start with “vous”.
-
Eating and mealtimes are highly revered in France. Parisians like to take the time to sit down and enjoy each meal, and rarely can be spotted eating on the go in the street or on the metro.
Typical weekdays start at about 7 am in Paris or even a little earlier. Stores tend to open around 9:30 or 10 am and close around 7 or 7:30 pm. Lunch tends to be eaten around 1 pm, and dinner is often eaten as a family at around 8 pm. Note that many businesses (including banks and grocery stores) are closed on Sundays and/or Mondays.
Each country has its own particular attitude towards tipping for service, and you’ll find that rule to hold true in France. In taxis it is customary (but in no sense obligatory) to give the driver something; usually 10% is enough. In restaurants, service (15%) is included in the bill, though it is customary to leave a tip if you find the service satisfactory. The standard is to add 5% of the bill amount. The same holds true for cafés if you are pleased with the service. In prestigious restaurants it is also customary to tip the person who brings your coat from the cloakroom; €2 is usually enough.