"A general atmosphere of fear usually benefits the power in place, " said Daniel Boy, a Paris-based professor at Sciences-Po university.

WSJ: French Candidates Focus on Security

Pascal Perrineau, a political scientist at Sciences-Po university, makes the point that the French almost always back strikes, particularly at the start.

ECONOMIST: France

Nightlife in the upscale and centrally-located 6th arrondissement, where Sciences Po is located, is also popular among English-speaking students, who hang at the international-friendly bars Frog and Princess and Moose.

BBC: Best student cities: Paris