I'm hoping to spend a few months in France next year, probably in Lille but perhaps in Paris, and I'm struggling a little with the apparently arcane French property rentals system. It probably isn't, and I'm probably being dim, but no matter how many different ways I try to search for 'rooms to rent with a family in Lille', I'm not coming up with much.

I would be really grateful for any advice, weblinks, pointers as to how to go about this - perhaps I'm using the wrong terminology in French as certainly estate agents have their own language here. Or perhaps renting a room with a family just isn't de rigeur?

I'm looking for a room in a family house (with a piano) from next July until January. I won't be able to stay for a full six months which will probably make it different to rent through an agent.

Also any recommendation of language schools would be most welcome.

Merci beaucoup!!

First and foremost, if you can avoid going through an agency then do so - you could save up to 1000€. They charge stupidly extortionate fees.

What I'd recommend, if it's possible, is just to come over for a week and look yourself. If you come to Paris, there's a free bilingual magazine called FUSAC which has lots of annonces in, especially for this kind of thing. I don't know if they do a Lille edition.

Again, I can only talk for Paris but as far as language schools go, there are plenty. The Sorbonne does tailor made courses that last from 6 weeks to degrees which I know are very popular with people in your position.

Personally, I've never lived with a family so I can't point you in that specific direction but I'm sure I can find some people who have. If I see any ads anywhere for this type of thing, I'll PM you.

Thank you - I'll follow those ideas up.