Co-working spaces on and off campus
At least twice a semester, during midterms and finals, AUP students might struggle to concentrate while studying and lack a perfect spot to focus and progress in learning. The ideal studying space is usually based on various factors, ranging from the environment itself to minor yet significantly deciding details that shape the general place's learning aura. This 'journey' delves into how co-working areas may assist students in keeping focused on their educational objectives, and based on my personal learning experience as a senior student, this story shares what is available to AUP students both on and off campus.
AUP study spaces
Starting from campus, the first stop that is considered to be perfect for studying is the renovated atrium in the Combes building, located in the hallway leading to the Quai building, which welcomes its students. This is an attractive option for those who are seeking a quiet, yet open space with a changing environment, due to the transparent walls around the space. Since the beginning of the semester, it has offered newly arrived beds which are suitable for those who prefer a more relaxed atmosphere and who preferably avoid sitting at a desk.
For those students who need more ‘disciplined’ space, AUP has another library room on the -1 floor in the Quai building, near the music room. By arranging students at a long table in the center, surrounded by bookshelves, this library room creates a more focused and ‘centralized’ atmosphere, compared to the first option, which is more relaxing and non-binding. You may also explore the first floor of the Quai building, which offers plugs, sofas, and ‘fenced’ zones, perfect for group projects.
Personal recommendation: if you want to have a productive, yet charming, easy work at a campus, go find the chairs in front of the large wall-scale windows on the 1st floor Quai-building, facing the Seine bank, and enjoy studying with a beautiful view. Szonja Csakvari, an AUP third-year student, shared that when she first arrived in Paris, her first semester, she used to spend studying sessions in this spot, saying that: "I loved spending time there during breaks, the view made me feel more attached to the city, especially in the fall semester. I remember I'd been noticing how the leaves were changing color every day, and falling, people walking by the bank, and the river - everything was very calming and settling. It really affects your mentality in a good way, especially during stressful exam periods."
As long as we are still in the Combes and Quai buildings in our imagery journey, we can not leave it without visiting the Amex campus cafe. It must be noted that the place is usually crowded and loud, especially during breaks when students are running for their caffeine shots. However, it seems to me that some might enjoy studying in a ‘chaotic’ environment with food, drink, and music. Go and check it out, and do not forget to consider a sweet bonus that no library can offer you - a pumpkin spice latte that is finally available in Amex for the cold season - makes studying a bit sweeter and more motivating.
Off campus: coffee and studying
If the campus is explored, but you still have not found the perfect spot for studying, the following section can be helpful and inspiring for you. As long as people spend long days in the same place, their bodies and minds need new surroundings to refresh the blurred vision. AUP is located in the very heart of the 7th arrondissement in Paris and has its own places to offer for students. In the consumption culture, all we need is caffeine as a shot of dopamine; the coffee stores around the campus are the perfect options that are always there to help.
The first personal recommendation is the Torree coffee shop, located near campus at 15 Bd de la Tour-Maubourg, 75007, known for its homemade pastries and good coffee. My personal recommendation is to go there in good weather, take flavoured matcha, and enjoy your studying outside!
If you were looking for something less Parisian and more modern, check out The Coffee with its authored menu, and surprisingly flavored drinks found only there. This option can be a nice combination for students who want to study in a modern, minimalistic design, enjoy a street view from sitting near the window, and have a drink. Beija Sayeed, a student majoring in journalism, said that she would enjoy studying in this kind of a coffee shop, emphasizing the comfort as a key factor when looking for a right location: "A comfortable space with coffee and a good pastry, lighting, and some music..." also emphasizing how an uncomfortable environment may bring frustration, and suggesting the space to support mood and learning.
The lasting laptop-friendly coffee shop near Campus is Noir, located at 184 rue de Grenelle, 75007. This is one of the most renowned coffee producers in Paris, and as a bonus, it is also a laptop-friendly chain. A recommendation for those who need some ‘stress’ and ‘discomfort’ for studying: you won't find sofas or tables here, but a highly productive atmosphere and surroundings.
Cite de l’architecture
The lasting representative of the co-working spot, especially attractive for those majoring in History and Art History, is a beautiful library, Cité de L’architecture, located not too far from campus at 1 Pl. du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, 75116 Paris. The museum and library Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine in Paris is housed in the Palais de Chaillot, which blends Neoclassical architecture with Art Deco influences.
Built for the 1937 Paris International Exhibition, it features grand symmetry, clean lines, classical elements, and decorative geometric patterns typical of Art Deco. The library (1300 m2) is open to the public and has an extensive collection devoted to contemporary architecture, urbanism, and landscaping. Its holdings include 55,000 books, 500 journal titles, and many documentary films and digital resources. It fosters a modern approach to architectural education, encouraging students and professionals to integrate contemporary design with historical understanding, attempting to create sustainable, innovative solutions while respecting the past.
Everyone should visit it at least once and experience studying at the long table under the medieval painting fresco. Their reproduction, crafted between 1940 and 1943 by artists, faithfully recreates the original frescoes found in the Abbey Church of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe in France, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The perfect place?
Although studying can sometimes be challenging and time-consuming, there are always solutions and support from the environment, making this process enjoyable, intriguing, and easy-going. As long as AUP is located in such a beautiful place, Paris, make your studying a wonderful part of your life at any preferred co-working space.
While this article highlights only a few of the city's many inspiring study spots, it offers countless far more that were captured - so wander and take your time to explore the place that truly reflects your way of seeing the perfect co-working.
