Val de Marne

The Val-de-Marne department is located southeast of Paris, in the Île-de-France region, with its capital in Créteil. The department combines dense residential Paris suburbs, green areas along the Marne river, and important medical and research centers. Its economy blends services, healthcare (major hospitals) and small industry. The Rungis wholesale market, the world's largest fresh produce market, is located in this department. The cost of living in the department is more moderate than in central Paris, and metro access to the capital is easy.

Créteil, Vitry-sur-Seine, Champigny-sur-Marne

• Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC) - A large university with multiple campuses in the department and surrounding areas.

Some towns and neighborhoods are quiet and student-friendly (for example around the university in Créteil), while some areas face greater social challenges. Choosing a neighborhood and proximity to the metro/RER matters.

Metro line 8, RER A and D, and trams connect this department to central Paris. RATP buses are also plentiful.