You will find below a list of the most popular international and bilingual schools for expats in France with fee information. It includes nursery schools, primary and secondary (high) schools and you will find the right school to prepare for International Baccalaureate, and other diploma in France. Some schools will follow the American or British curriculums with English speaking programs while others are regulated under the French education system.

Education in France

The French education system is highly developed and organized. Educational programs are regulated by the Ministère de l'Éducation Nationale (Ministry of National Education). Teachers in public primary and secondary schools are all state civil servants. Professors and researchers in France's universities are also employed by the state. The ministry is the largest employer in France.

The school calendar is standardized throughout the country and runs from early-September to early-July. Curriculum (le programme officiel) is the same for all French students in public, semi-public and subsidized institutions. The Bulletin officiel de l'éducation nationale lists all current programmes and teaching directives. Laïcité (secularism) is one of the main precepts of the French republic and religious instruction is not provided in public schools.

The Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE) is a national public institution under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It provides the public service missions related to education for children living outside France. It is the largest network of international schools consisting of over 480 establishments in 130 countries.

Stages of Education

School years in France are numbered on a decreasing scale. Primary education (enseignement primaire) is mandatory starting at the age of 6. However, many parents choose to send children to nursery classes (maternelle) starting as early as age 3, or pré-maternelle or trés petite at age 2. Maternelle are usually affiliated to a area's primary school. The last year of maternelle, grande section, prepares young students to continue their education. Pupils begin their secondary education in the sixième (6th class), and transfer to a lycée in the seconde (2nd class). The final year is the terminale.

International Schools

International schools can be the perfect solution for an expat student (multinational corporation executives, children of diplomats, NGO staff) in France. There may be some local population, but the schools are usually geared for an international student body. Schools may follow a curriculum model from the US, UK, or elsewhere. Primary instruction may be any language (and multiple languages are usually taught), but it is usually in English, French, Spanish, or German. Schools provide similar standards of schooling around the globe, providing for an easy transition between schools whether they are in France or Vietnam. Schools also provide internationally accepted accreditation such as the international baccalaureate.

Admission and enrollment procedures vary from school to school. Space is often limited and preference may be given to students based on nationality. Tuition tends to be expensive based on local standards, but offers high standards of learning, boast smaller class sizes, first-rate facilities, and extracurricular. Boarding facilities are available at some schools, but most only provide day classes.

Sous Contrat or Hors Contrat

Sous contrat d'association schools have a contract with the French government. These schools must follow the same educational program as state schools and receive government subsidies. They are generally less expensive.

Hors contrat or école libre do not have contracts with the government. These schools are free to set their own curriculum and are often religiously affiliated (Catholic is most common). They receive no state subsidies and are more expensive.

Accreditation & Membership

• The CoIS (Council of International Schools) is a non-profit association of international schools and post-secondary institutions which provides educational accreditation, teacher and leadership recruitment services, links to higher education, governance assistance and help with founding new schools.
• Council of British International Schools (COBIS) offers membership to British independent schools ofEurope and worldwide.
• Independent Association of Preparatory Schools (IAPS) is the professional association for Heads of the leading 600 independent prep schools in the UK and worldwide.
• National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) represents over 1100 independent schools and associations in the United States and abroad.
• European Council of International Schools (ECIS) is a collaborative network promoting the ideals and best practice of international education.
• Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) is a resource for knowledge, standards, advocacy and training in alumni relations, communications, fundraising, marketing and related activities.
• Middle States Association (MSA) is an accrediting associations for the world.
• New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC) is a regional accrediting association which establishes standards for all levels of education, from pre-K to doctoral.

Antibes

ASEICA
Address: BP 90312
06906 Sophia-Antipolis Cedex
Tel: 04.97.23.92.30
Tuition Rates: €1,460 - 2,500 per year

The school forms a group of schools working in partnership with and partly funded by the French State Education system. ASEICA is bilingual (French/English) with a 50/50 curriculum. Students range from age of 6 to 19, culminating in the prestigious internationally recognized OIB (Option Internationale du Baccalauréat).

Centre International de Valbonne (CIV)
Address: 190 Rue Frederic Mistral / BP 97
06902 Sophia Antipolis Cedex (France)
Tel: 33 4 92 96 52 93
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

French language school with classes geared toward international students. International sections include Anglo-American, German, Spanish, Italian, and Russian.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux International School (BIS)
Address: 252 Rue Judaique
33000 Bordeaux, France
Tel: 33 5 57 87 02 11
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Bordeaux International School is a private (international school for ages 3-18. Students are from both France and other countries. The medium of instruction is English and French in the primary streams, and mainly English in the secondary school. For students for whom English/French is not the mother tongue the school will provide language support.

Chavagnes-en-Paillers

Chavagnes International College
Address: 96 rue du Calvaire
85250 Chavagnes-en-Paillers, France
Tel: 33 (0)2.51.42.39.82
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Chavagnes International College is a Catholic school for boys, founded in 1802 by Louis-Marie Baudouin, and re-fashioned an "international college" by Mr Ferdi McDermott in 2002. The school's main language of instruction is English, and it prepares pupils for British GCSEs, Cambridge courses, French brevet exams, A-levels and/ or the Double Bac. All boys in Year 7 are coached towards basic fluency in English and French.

Grenoble

Cité Scolaire Internationale de Lyon (CSI)
Address: 4 place de Sfax / BP 1570
38012 Grenoble, France
Tel: 04 38 12 25 00
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

The Marshall McLuhan American School is an international section for this school. The McLuhan School provides subject courses taught in American English primarily to children of expatriate families in secondary school (grades 6 through 12, roughly ages 11-18). The school offers an accredited American high school diploma. It is accredited by the NEASC.

Lille

Ecole Internationale de Lille Metropole (ECLILL)
Collège - Lycée Address: 418bis rue Albert Bailly
59700 Marcq en Baroeul, France
Tel: 03 20 65 90 50
Maternelle - Primaire Address: 545 rue Albert Bailly
59700 Marcq en Baroeul, France
Tel: 03 20 28 04 50
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Co-educational school that serves students from ages 6-18 with boarding facilities. The curriculum covers the French national programme with some classes taught in English, and others taught in French. English is taught in groups of different levels, and lessons in French as a foreign language are provided for every pupil who needs them. At the end of the fourth form, the pupils take the French Brevet School Leaving Certificate. In the Lycée, students are prepared for the French Baccalaureates, for the International Baccalaureate, and for the IB program.

Lyon

Cité Scolaire Internationale de Lyon (CSI)
Address: 2 place de Montréal
69007 Lyon, France
Tel: 04 78 69 60 05
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

There is an elementary, middle and high school at the "Lycée International de Lyon". It provides education combining regular French classes with classes in the second language of the student. The international sections include English, Italian, Spanish, Polish, German, Portuguese and Japanese. The classes are taught from primary level all the way up to the high school diploma, the Baccalaureat, which is available with the International Option (OIB, or "Option Internationale du Baccalauréat"). As in all French lycées, students in the last two years ("première" and "terminale") can choose between an "L" section (literary), an "ES" section (economy and society) and an "S" section (scientific).

International School of Lyon
Address: 80, Chemin du Grand Roule
69110 Sainte Foy-Lès-Lyon, France
Tel: 33 (0)4 78 86 61 90
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

The school works in the general framework of the IB programme. Primary and Secondary school each have their own area, including separate ICT facilities , but share the library and the art and music rooms. in 9th and 10th grade courses prepare the students for the IGCSE examinations of the British Cambridge International Examinations Syndicate at the end of the 10th grade. Building on the foundations laid in the previous years, they aim to develop the knowledge, the study and research skills, and the critical thinking essential for a successful participation in the Diploma programme in 11th/12th grade. 11th and 12th grade students are enrolled in the IB Diploma programme.

Ombrosa International School
Maternelle Address: 50 rue Vendôme
69006 Lyon, France
Tel: 33 4 78 93 71 00
Maternelle, Primaire, Collège, Lycée Address: 95 quai Clémenceau
69300 Caluire, France
Tel: 33 4 78 23 22 63
Ecole Bilingue de Savoie Address: rue Centrale
73420 Voglans, France
Tel: 33 4 79 54 48 86
Collège Multilingue de Savoie Address: Route des Catons
73 370 Le Bourget du Lac, France
Tel: 33 4 79 85 64 26
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Ombrosa welcomes French speaking, English speaking and international pupils from nursery to upper secondary. It is a private, bilingual (French/English), international school which operates within the French national system of education. It is also authorised by the IBO to offer the International Baccalaureate. Graduates may earn within the French system le Diplôme National du Brevet, le Baccalauréat S (scientifique), or le Baccalauréat ES (Economique et social). As an IB World School and Cambridge Examination Centre they also may earn IGCSE or the International Baccalaureate (French speaking, English speaking or Bilingual Diploma).

Marseille & Provence

EPIM International Private School
Address: 27 Boulevard de la Corderie
F13007 - Marseille, France
Tel: 33 (0) 491 53 00 00
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

A bilingual private international school that is recognized both nationally and internationally. EPIM is entirely bilingual French and English and accessible for children 2 to 11 years of age. EPIM schools offer an official educational program recognized by UNESCO.

SVIS - Sainte Victoire International School
Address: Sainte Victoire International School
Domaine Chateau l'Arc
Chemin de Maurel
13710 Fuveau, France
Tel: +33 44 226 51 96
Email: contact@schoolsaintevictoire.com
Tuition Rates: From 9,900€/year

Sainte Victoire International School (SVIS) is an IB World School, offering both the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program and the Cambridge IGCSE examinations. SVIS provides education for students from primary school through to the end of high school. Teaching is bilingual starting at the primary school level, allowing students to achieve their academic potential in both French and English. The school, which is nestled in the heart of an international 18-hole golf course situated facing the Sainte-Victoire mountain, offers its students a healthy and peaceful school environment.

International Bilingual School of Provence
Address: 500, Petite Route de Bouc-Bel-Air
Aix-en-Provence 13080 Luynes, France
Tel: 33 (0)4 42 24 03 40
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

The International Bilingual School of Provence is a mixed day and boarding school. Founded in 1984, it is a secondary school based on the principle of French-English Bilingualism.

EPIM International Private School
Address: 600 route de Marseille
Quartier Plein Soleil, F13080 France
Tel: 04 42 600 300
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

A bilingual private international school that is recognized both nationally and internationally. EPIM is entirely bilingual French and English and accessible for children 2 to 11 years of age. EPIM schools offer an official educational program recognized by UNESCO.

Montpellier

Ecole Privée Bilingue Internationale
Address: Domaine Massane
34670 Baillargues, France
Tel: 04 67 70 78 44
Tuition Rates: €3,600 - 6,500 per year

This school is in the idyllic location of a XVII century château and offers pre-school to college. It is a Cambridge testing center and uses a bilingual (French/English) curriculum.

Mougins

Mougins School
Address:615, Avenue Dr Maurice Donat, BP 1218
06254 Mougins CEDEX - France
Tel: 33 (0)4 93 90 15 47
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Situated on the Côte d'Azur, this school is open to students aged 3 to 18 years and teaches the British curriculum, adapted to international students. Students take the International General Certificates in Education (IGCSE's) designed for the international market and administered by Examination Boards in the United Kingdom. After their IGCSE examinations, students who have gained at least 5 A - C grades may enter the Advanced International Programme.

Nice

Ecoles Bilingues
Address: 23 boulevard Gambetta
06000 Nice, France
Tel: 04 93 44 75 44
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Kindergarten to lycee with bilingual (French/English) instruction and curriculum. Students not versed in French or English are also welcome.

International School of Nice (ISN)
Address: 15, avenue Claude Debussy
06200 Nice, France
Tel: 33 (0)4 93 21 04 00
Tuition Rates: €10,350 - 15,945 per year

A co-educational school from pre-school to Grade 12. It offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma and the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (PYP) provide a framework that supports and enhances student learning and development. The school is accredited by CoIS and MSA.

Paris

Paris listings can be found in our full post on "International Schools in Paris".

Pau

International School of Béarn
Address: Rue des Fougeres
64160 Morlaas, France
Tel: 33 0 6 12 56 68 67
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

This is the only school offering an Anglophone education in the area. The teaching language is English with daily lessons of French. From 2 1/2 (Early Years, Pre-School) to 14 (grade 9) years old. It is a Cambridge testing center.

Rennes

Lycée Ile de France
Address: 15 avenue Charles Tillon / B.P. 8316
35083 Rennes Cedex, France
Tel: 02 99 54 44 43
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Has a 3-year international section that is targeted at students who are preparing for the baccalauréat (L / ES / S) within the framework set by the French National Curriculum or to apply for admission into a British or American University or College after completing this program. The program welcomes students aged 15 to 18 and the lycée offers boarding accommodation for five nights a week, from Sunday night to Friday morning.

Strasbourg

Bilingual International School of Strasbourg (BISS)
Address: 1, rue des Greniers
67000 Strasbourg, Cedex, France
Tel: 03.88.15.28.00
Tuition Rates: €6,000 per year

This private school offers instruction is in English for classes from kindergarten to lycee. There are several international sections catering to students from different backgrounds.

Schola Europaea
Address: 70 boulevard d'Anvers
67000 Strasbourg, France
Tel: 03 88 61 99 49
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

The European Schools are official educational establishments controlled jointly by the governments of the Member States of the European Union. The mission of the European Schools is to provide a multilingual and multicultural education for nursery, primary and secondary level pupils. All classes are taught in English and students takes the European Baccalaureate which is recognised across Europe.

Ecole internationale Robert Schuman
Address: 10 rue Vauban
67000 Strasbourg, France
Tel: 03 88 60 73 65
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

This school offers several international sections and operates within the system, meaning a child will pass through the recognised French sections of Maternelle (3-5 years), Primaire (6-10 years), College (11-14 years) and Lycee (15 - 18 years). The default language in the international sectioned school is French with 20% of classes taught in English. The school offers the French Baccalaureate with an international option (OIB) which qualifies them for foreign University admission.

Toulouse

International School of Toulouse
Address: 2, allée de l'Herbaudière, Route de Pibrac
31770 Colomiers, France
Tel: 33 (0)5 62 74 26 74
Tuition Rates: €6,580 - 17,410 per year

International School of Toulouse is a private, international day school for boys and girls aged 4 to 18. This school is intended principally to serve the educational needs of children of sponsored Airbus employees who transfer to Toulouse. Other children may be accepted to the school on a tuition-paying basis, subject to available space and evaluation of their suitability. With the exception of sport, French, Spanish and German lessons, the teaching is mostly in English. The school is noted for its use of information technology in teaching and learning, with every student from age 9 onwards having the loan of their own laptop computer. The Primary school follows the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), while the Secondary school offers students the GCSE and IGCSE to the 14-16 age range, and the International Baccalaureate in the sixth form for those after the age of 16.