Paris Is Your Campus
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YOUR CAMPUS IS PARIS. Our campus puts you at the heart of art, culture, and everything that inspires you.
PARIS COLLEGE OF ART 17th arrondissement
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TABLE OF CONTENTS PARIS 04
Paris is Your Campus
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Green Spaces
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17th Arrondissement
PCA 14
Inside PCA
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Campus Activities
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A Day in the Life
LIFE IN PARIS 21
Housing
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After Class
YOUR FUTURE 28
Careers
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Your Community
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WELCOME TO LIFE IN PARIS From the classroom to the streets of Paris, PCA offers an experience that extends beyond your studies. But what’s life at PCA really like in and out of class? From the best coffee shops to student activities, this is your guide to help you envision life in Paris.
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PCA students come from all over the world to find themselves as people and as creatives. MA in Design for Social Impact student
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Musée Cernuschi Musée Nissim de Camondo
Fondation Louis Vuitton Arc de Triomphe
Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine Musée Marmottan Monet
Palais Galliera
Grand Palais
Musée d’Art Moderne
Jeu de Paume
Musée de l’Orangerie Musée d’Orsay Musée Rodin
Free EU Residents / Students Under 26 Free Always Student Discount
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museums and galleries
13.2 MILLION people living in the metropolitian area of Paris
Our campus is located in the 17th arrondissement, or neighborhood, and only a few minutes away from some of the world’s best artistic and cultural centers. 6
Musée des A Décoratifs
Musée Bourdelle
Arts
Bourse de Commerce Fondation Cartier Louvre
Notre Dame
Paris is good to its students. EU residents (which you will be!) and students benefit from free entry to national museums, such as the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay in addition to monuments in France like the nearby Arc de Triomphe.
Panthéon
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Looking for a little green in the city? “You can go sit in the park across the street from campus during lunch breaks and enjoy a bit of nature.” MFA in Drawing student
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DID YOU KNOW?
Paris has over 400 parks and gardens.
The Bois de Boulogne is right around the corner from campus, but other favorites include: • Martin Luther King Jr. Park in the 17th arrondissement • Tuileries Garden in the 1st • Jardin des Plantes in the 5th • Jardin du Luxembourg in the 6th • Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in the 19th
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What’s something that surprised you about the 17th arrondissement? “It’s nice how it’s a mix of the bourgeois of the 16th but still more residential near campus.”
“Everything you could possibly need is in the 17th: the Marché des Ternes, FNAC, and basically every cell phone provider.”
The 17th arrondissement, located in the northwest corner of the city, is known for its charming boutiques and cafés, the Arc de Triomphe, and family and communityoriented spaces. It features markets like the Marché des Ternes and pockets of green spaces spattered along ample bike lanes.
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1,200 +
boulangeries in Paris
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Where do students grab lunch near campus?
Other grab-and-go lunch favorites:
I really love prepackaged meals from Carrefour, they have pasta or sauteed potatoes for less than 5 euros.
• Compose on Av. des Ternes
BFA in Fine Arts student
• BOM at Pl. Saint-Ferdinand • Picard on Av. de Malakoff • Monop’ on Av. de Malakoff
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• Sushi Etoile on Bd Pereire • Com’panis in Palais des Congrès
4 MILLION people ride the Parisian metro daily
Tips for riding the metro: “Be sure to download the Bonjour RATP and Citymapper apps! Google Maps is great too. The paper maps at the ticket windows are also free.” “Don’t forget to check the name of the metro direction you’re taking!” “Stand on the right, walk on the left of the escalators.”
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COFFEE SHOPS NEAR CAMPUS A great cup of coffee is never far away. Here are some favorite spots near campus: • NUDE on Bd Gouvion-Saint-Cyr • Umami Matcha on Rue Pierre Demours • Loutsa Torréfacteur on Rue Lebon • All Good + Sucré on Bd Pereire
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Where do you go for a good cup of coffee? “I’m not a coffee person, but All Good + Sucré has really good chai. And they have a lovely atmosphere.”
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“All Good. Honestly they’re the sweetest, and the owner speaks English!”
“I’m basically a regular at NUDE, which is right around the corner, for their açai bowls and coffee.”
“Un café” is a shot of espresso
For a latte, order a “café crème” or a cappuccino
Coffee is typically enjoyed after a meal, sometimes with a dessert. Try the “café gourmand” for an espresso and a sampling of several desserts.
“The 17th is a cute and safe neighborhood. I like to try new coffee shops and walk around during lunch to explore.” MFA in Drawing student
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INSIDE PCA
Academic support & creative growth
l tua vir ur! a to e ta k p u s cam
Students mentioned accessing academic resources such as: • Academic advisors • Reading & Writing Lab • One-on-one French tutors • Careers Week • American Library in Paris
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What’s been your favorite class so far and why? “I loved Photography in the Expanded Field. I ended up making this video that was projected in a friend’s courtyard.” “French has helped me make local friends, so definitely that.”
“Introduction to Art and Design was an interesting liberal studies class I took in Foundation.” “My Junior Studio classes have been super fun and pretty open so far, and I can see how my work has improved since last year.”
“My work has grown a lot in only a year. I think about my concepts and my research phases differently.” MA in Fashion Film & Photography student
Some of PCA’s dedicated faculty have been teaching with us for over 30 years!
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What’s it like to be a PCA student? “I’m in Communication Design, but I take all my electives in Photography. It’s encouraged to be multidisciplinary.” BFA in Communication Design student
AS A PCA STUDENT
you have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including: 3D lab for metal, plaster, and wood work Ceramics studio Printmaking studio Darkroom Digital photography lab Photography studio Film studio Screening room Cinema Recording booth Sound editing suite Digital fabrication lab Fashion studio
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41%
of students say the terrace is their favorite part of campus
95%
of students say our campus is in a safe neighborhood
Best advice for making friends? “Talk to as many people during orientation as you can. Everyone’s new, so we were all looking to make friends. Strangers are just the friends you haven’t met yet.” “Join student council!”
“I met new people whenever I was hanging out on the terrace during lunch or chilling in the garden across the street from campus.” “I’m closest to the other students in my program. Becoming friends was inevitable!”
STUDY ABROAD While for most of our students, Paris is abroad, PCA offers an expansive study abroad network for BFA juniors (third-year students) including:
PCA’s Global Network Florence, ITALY
Rio de Janerio, BRAZIL
Helsinki, FINLAND
Melbourne, AUSTRALIA
Rotterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
Seoul, SOUTH KOREA
New York, NY, USA
Kyoto, JAPAN
Vancouver, CANADA 17
Get involved with clubs and committees Getting involved is one of the best ways to connect, grow, and make the most of your time at PCA.
“I’ve felt more connected with the rest of the student body since joining Student Council. You should join!”
“Cooks Club makes tasty snacks for the holiday parties. For Halloween we decorated spooky sugar cookies.”
Share your ideas We encourage students to get involved on campus. In collaboration with our Student Success team, Student Council puts on holiday parties, social nights, and adopts a leadership role in advocating for student concerns. Let your voice be heard! What club would you add at PCA?
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I guess this isn’t technically a club, but my suitemates get together on Friday nights to share food from wherever we call home. I love Lebanese food now!
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What’s been your favorite PCA-sponsored event so far?
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Either the Halloween party or the field trip this semester to Monet’s gardens in Giverny! Foundation Year student
What on-campus activites do you appreciate most? “I really love the little breakfasts Student Success does and the end of semester lunch. Stress-free week during finals is also a life-saver.”
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“I go to Ciné Club as much as I can. I’m not a film student, but it’s fun to watch movies in the real cinema here on campus.”
Counseling and Wellness Mental and physical health is essential to academic success. We understand that managing school pressures, personal stress, and the challenges of adapting to a new country can be overwhelming. That’s why we offer free counseling services and fun on-campus activities to relieve stress and facilitate social connections!
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A DAY IN THE LIFE of Sage Sagiryan, BFA in Fine Arts student
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HOUSING
© Aurélien Poulat
PCA offers studio apartments or private rooms in shared apartments at Joivy Coliving, located in Asnières-surSeine, approximately 35 minutes away from campus on public transportation.
Where do you live and what’s it like? “I live at PCA’s partner housing, Joivy Coliving. It was way easier as a first-year student already trying to figure out moving and my student visa. I wanted something convenient and this was it! Plus it’s cool having flatmates from different countries.”
“As a second year undergrad film art student a bunch of us decided to get together and share an apartment in the 11th arrondissement. The area is trendy and young plus it’s connected to metro line 1.”
“I have a studio apartment I rented through an agency I found in the accepted student housing guide. Honestly, it took me a while to get used to the separate toilet and sink thing! But it’s a cute place and within biking distance of campus.”
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AFTER CLASS Once your classes end for the day, the city of Paris becomes your playground. Whether you have a parttime job, hang out with friends, play a sport, or try something completely new, there’s something for everyone.
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sports centers in Paris How have you made connections outside of the PCA community? “A lot of students have part-time work outside of school which is a nice way to really be connected to Paris. The PCA bubble is so nice to make friends, but it’s nice to have other communities to lean on and spend time with too.” 22
“I hang out with people I met outside PCA through concerts or at a student grocery distribution called Linkee where I met Englishspeaking friends... we find each other everywhere.”
What do you do for fun? “I like to hang out at the American Library on Saturdays just to read and relax for a bit.”
“My friends and I sometimes go for hikes. Last time we went to the Fontainebleau forest!”
400 +
bookstores in Paris
Ideas from PCA students
Movie in the Grande Salle at the Grand Rex
Play arcade games at La Tête dans les Nuages
Drink iced tea in the bathtub at Le Pavillion des Canaux
Play foosball and read a book at La Recyclerie
Go for a swim at Piscine Emilie Anthoine
Bargain hunt for fabric at Marché Saint-Pierre
Have a picnic at the Canal Saint Martin
Sumo wrestle with friends at La Lucha Libra
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“I take horseback riding lessons in Bois de Vincennes. They have adult lessons and it’s nice because then I meet people from outside the school and I learn new French vocabulary–I didn’t know any horse-related vocabulary–it’s really fun! I would recommend it. Go try random hobbies!” MFA in Drawing student
“Take a day trip to Disneyland! You can get there on public transportation with the RER A, and the off-season is way less expensive.” 24
THRIFTING Thrifting in Paris is a must! Students recommend the following locations:
• FREE’P’STAR on Rue de la Verrerie
The word for a thrift store in French is “friperie”.
• Hippy Market on Rue du Temple • Kilo Shop (multiple locations) • Thanx God I’m a V.I.P. on Rue de Lancry • Urban Vintage Paris on Rue du Faubourg du Temple • RETRO on Rue de Turbigo • Episode on Rue Tiquetonne 25
CAN’T MISS ANNUAL EVENTS There’s always something happening in Paris. Mark your calendar!
JAN
New Year’s Day
FEB
Paris Marathon
MAR
St. Patrick’s Day
APR
Luminous Party Run Easter Holidays
MAY JUN
The city comes alive with celebrations
Get moving with thousands across the city
Irish spirit takes over Paris for a day!
Cherry blossoms and wisteria bloom across Paris
Nuit Européenne des Musées Stay up late and explore museums after dark—for free
Nuit Blanche Paris Pride Fête de la Musique Art, love, and music— summer starts here
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JUL
Paris Plages Bastille Day
AUG
Summer in Paris
SEP
Sun, sand, and national celebrations
Outdoor concerts, open-air cinema, and long sunny days
European Heritage Days Paris Design Week Step inside historic sites across the city
OCT
Techno Parade
NOV
Paris Photo
DEC
Holiday Markets and Lights
Dance through the streets in a sea of sound
The world’s leading art photography fair
Festive markets, sparkling lights, and hot cocoa
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200
exhibitors from around the world at Paris Photo
CAREERS
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Alumni takeaway:
I hear from my bosses, clients, and colleagues that they’re impressed with how much practical and theoretical knowledge I possess. Global BFA in Film Art alumni
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BASTILLE DESIGN CENTER Graduating students at the Master’s level exhibit their work in a public group show at the Bastille Design Center. Located in the 11th arrondissement, it’s a professional opportunity for our students to network with other members of the Parisian art and design scene.
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Events and networking opportunities: • Art Paris • Art Basel Paris • Paris Photo • Paris Design Week • Drawing Now • Fashion Weeks • Première Vision
Where did you intern and what was the experience like? “Through the PCA Career’s Office I got an internship with 3.1 Phillip Lim during my Freshman year. The summer after, they remembered me and offered me a paid position for fashion week, showroom, and market here in Paris after only my first year!” BFA in Fashion Design alumni
TOP 10
PCA has been ranked a top 10 school for fashion design by CEOWorld While some alumni remain in Paris, many return home to launch careers around the world as designers, filmmakers, artistic directors, creative strategists, and producers. They work across fashion, luxury, film and entertainment, technology, design, retail, and media at companies including Walmart, Netflix, Warner Bros., Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, Yves Saint Laurent, and SnapDesk, while others establish successful freelance practices, creative studios, and independent businesses.
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YOUR COMMUNITY
CHINA
UNITED STATES
INDIA
FRANCE ITALY RUSSIA SPAIN GERMANY
Student Nationalities
nationalities make up our student body OTHER*
*Armenia, Australia, Canada, Columbia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, Greece, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Lebanon, Mexico, Pakistan, Poland, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Tonga, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and more!
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40
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languages spoken by students
“Everyone is from everywhere, you’re all experiencing the same thing and no one feels like they’re the odd one out when it comes to being an international student.” BFA in Fine Arts student
9.4
average number of students per class
20+
Ready to claim your spot? Get in touch with us! Office of Admissions pca.paris.edu/admissions admissions@paris.edu +33 (0)1 45 77 19 99
nationalities represented by faculty
17
languages spoken among staff
31
Start your PCA journey pca.paris.edu/admissions 32