Although your studies will take up a large part of your time, you're sure to have some free time left over! Make the most of it by attending concerts, taking part in cultural or sporting activities, visiting museums or exhibitions, going to the cinema or swimming pool... Besançon offers a wide choice of activities.
From online diaries lists outings (concerts, shows, exhibitions, events, etc.):
Good plan : 2 cultural venues, the Théâtre de la Bouloie and the International coffee, are aimed particularly at students. They put on shows and concerts and are run by the Crous: www.crous-bfc.fr
And to make sure you don't miss a thing, here's what you need to know 3 Instagram accounts to subscribe to:
- @viedecampus.besancon : The CROUS team organises weekly activities open to all students – perfect for taking a break from lectures and having a good time with fellow students. They organise: hikes, DIY workshops, introductory canoeing sessions, Molkky tournaments, drinks evenings… and sometimes even trips to Europa-Park (all completely free!).
- @vie.etudiante_umlp The university's account, which doesn't talk about courses, exams and revision, but about student evenings, linocut and mosaic workshops, bingo, etc.
- @jeunesabesac : this is the account for young people in Besançon to keep up to date with what’s going on in the city.
The bars members of the Nightlife Charter are committed to getting involved in the security of their customers (prevention of risky behaviour, attention to inappropriate behaviour, a peaceful environment) and to welcome them in an atmosphere that respects the peace and quiet of the neighbourhood.
Marie and Louis Pasteur University offers its students :
- artistic and cultural workshops: www.umlp.fr
- Sports activities with Campus Sports (also open to students from schools that have an agreement with Campus Sports, such as SUPMICROTECH): u-sports.umlp.fr
Besançon's neighbourhood centres organises a wide range of activities open to all: www.besancon.fr
Directory of associations in Greater Besançon to find associations offering cultural and sporting activities for all: www.grandbesancon.fr
To find a sports club, you can also search for :
- in the list of clubs available on sports-sgsocialgouv.opendatasoft.com
- via the sports federations' websites: www.sports.gouv.fr
Visit September and OctoberBesançon releases its back-to-school diary : sporting, cultural and musical events, most of which are free or at reduced prices.
On the programme:
- Sports initiation: diving, paddle, oriental dance, fencing, salsa, rugby, rollerblading... ;
- Cultural and festive events: concerts, theatres ;
- Good deals: barter parties to buy equipment without spending anything, bike repair centres, etc.
- The year of your 18 years oldyou can obtain the culture pass. You will receive a credit of 150 € which will allow you to go to the theatre, see a film or a show, take photography lessons (or other...), buy a novel or a manga, subscribe to a magazine or to online music...
Disabled people and families on modest incomes will receive an extra €50.
- Le Sport pass is a grant of €50 paid by the State to help cover the cost of a membership at a sports club or association. Students receiving a scholarship or annual financial support from the Crous are eligible for this grant up to the age of 28.
This also applies to students in health and social care courses who receive means-tested annual assistance.
- La Avantages Jeunes card, It features over 4,000 great deals from more than 2,700 partners across Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, offering the chance to explore culture and sport, and enjoy discounts on leisure activities and everyday life! It’s available to anyone under 30 and costs €10. You can buy it at Info Jeunes (27 rue de la République) or at a point of salethe order online and collect it from a collection point or have it sent by post (postage charges apply).
Please note: if you have a culture passYou can use it to buy your Avantages Jeunes card.
The scheme A tire d'aile enables people aged 14 to 25 in Besançon to obtain a assistance in the form of holiday vouchers in exchange for a few hours’ voluntary work at a community centre, a charity, a local authority department… This support can be used to to finance from holidays, some leisure activities or training courses for the BAFA.
The programme Start time 18:25 of the ANCV offers a financial assistance for holiday breaks and holiday accommodation in France and Europe. It is aimed at young people aged 18 to 25. Conditions: you must be on a low income, be on a work-linked training scheme, be a student with a grant, be on civic service, etc. The aid can be up to €200 to supplement your holiday budget. Test your eligibility.
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Campus Sport offers sports activities for students and staff from the university and its partner establishments. These activities are accessible to people with disabilities: u-sports.umlp.fr
The website www.handiguide.sports.gouv.fr is a directory which lists clubs and sports facilities that can accommodate people with disabilities. It was created by the Ministry of Sport.
There are 2 sports federations for people with disabilities. A list of adapted sports clubs can be found on their websites:
- French Federation of Adapted Sport : sportadapte.fr
- Handisport Federation : www.handisport-bfc.org
Yes, the association ESN Besançon offers regular activities (cooking club, cultural and sporting activities, outings, parties, etc.) for foreign and French students.
ESN Besançon
Arsenal, 2 Place St-Jacques, Block A
info@erasmus-besancon.com
Tel: 07 60 27 21 86
Office hours: Monday 2pm-6pm, Wednesday 2pm-6pm, Thursday 9am-12pm / 2pm-5pm
La Avantages jeunes card, that’s over 4,000 great offers from more than 2,700 partners in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, allowing you to explore culture and sport, and enjoy discounts on leisure activities and everyday life!
It is aimed at anyone under 30 and costs €10. It can be purchased from Youth Info (27 rue de la République) or in a point of salethe order online and collect it from a collection point or have it sent by post (postage charges apply).
Please note: if you have a culture passYou can use it to buy your Avantages Jeunes card.
"Welcome to students is the unmissable highlight of the start of the new term, not only for new pupils but also for returning ones. Over the course of just over a month, there are plenty of events lined up to help you explore your campuses, meet other students and explore the city.
The programme : community villages where you can discover student initiatives, a Student Village where you can meet the services and partners who will support you throughout your studies, as well as festive and sociable events featuring DJ sets, blind tests and activities designed to help you make the most of the start of the academic year.
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