Education in France 2026 — Schools Guide for Expat Families

The French Education System

France has an excellent public education system that is free for all residents. The system is highly structured and academically rigorous. For expat families, there are also private and international school options available.

Public Schools (École Publique)

Free, secular, and available to all children living in France regardless of nationality. The curriculum is standardised nationally. Children are taught in French, which provides excellent immersion but can be challenging initially for non-French speakers.

International Schools

Available in major cities (Paris, Lyon, Nice, Toulouse). Teach in English or follow international curricula (IB, American, British). Fees range from €5,000–€30,000/year depending on the school and level.

Private Schools (École Privée)

Often Catholic-affiliated but open to all. Smaller class sizes and sometimes bilingual programmes. Fees are modest (€1,000–€5,000/year) compared to international schools.