France – Education and Schools

How strong is the education system in France?

French education is structured around a highly centralised model spanning three main stages: primary, secondary, and higher education. The system enjoys considerable respect internationally for its consistent academic standards and the prestige associated with its elite higher education institutions — in particular, the grandes écoles. That said, international assessments of school-level performance offer a more complex picture.

In the PISA 2022 rankings — the most widely used international benchmark for 15-year-old students — France placed 23rd in mathematics, 28th in reading, and 26th in sciences among participating countries. Conducted by the OECD, PISA evaluates young people across three core domains and serves as the global reference point for comparing national education systems. France’s results place it broadly in line with the OECD average, though recent years have seen a gradual downward trend.

France has made measurable progress in reducing the number of young people leaving education and training early — the early leaving rate stood at 7.7% in 2024, comfortably meeting the EU target of below 9%. Nevertheless, foundational skills and educational inequality remain areas of concern. France is among the countries where the relationship between reading performance and socioeconomic background is most pronounced, meaning a student’s family circumstances continue to exert a significant influence on academic outcomes.

Despite these challenges, overall completion rates are high and the university sector — particularly the grandes écoles — commands strong international standing. For the most current evaluations, readers can consult the French Ministry of National Education and the EU Education and Training Monitor, which releases annual country-specific reports.

At what age does compulsory education begin in France, and how is the system structured by age?

All children aged 3 to 16 who are living in France are subject to compulsory education requirements, regardless of their nationality. Beyond formal compulsory schooling, a training obligation introduced from the 2020 school year requires young people between 16 and 18 to remain engaged in some recognised form of education, apprenticeship, or training. In practice, this means that while the legally compulsory school phase concludes at 16, the expectation of continued participation extends until the age of 18.

The French education system is divided into four principal stages:

• École maternelle (ages 3–6): Pre-primary school forms the opening stage of compulsory education in France and is almost universally attended. Through a structured national framework, it develops early language skills, socialisation, and the foundations of literacy and numeracy.
• École primaire (ages 6–11): Primary school covers five years of elementary education for children aged 6 to 11. Provided free of charge in state institutions on a secular basis, pupils at the end of this stage move automatically into lower secondary education without a formal selection process.
• Collège (ages 11–15): Lower secondary education takes place in collèges over four years, catering to pupils between the ages of 11 and 15. Attendance is compulsory and the same curriculum is followed by all pupils. This stage concludes with the Diplôme national du brevet (DNB).
• Lycée (ages 15–18): Upper secondary education spans three years at a lycée, preparing students for either the baccalauréat or a vocational qualification such as the CAP (Certificat d’aptitude professionnelle).

At the end of collège, the school proposes an educational pathway to the family, taking into account the pupil’s academic record and interests. This is a pivotal transition point in the French system, and families are strongly encouraged to engage actively with the school’s recommendations during this period.

What kinds of schools exist in France?

Children in France may attend either public schools — which are free, secular, and co-educational — or private schools. Families relocating to France should familiarise themselves with the distinctions between these options before making their choice.

State (public) schools are financed and regulated by the French government. All teaching is conducted in French, and the school programme is secular. The Ministry of National Education sets the curriculum centrally, and it applies uniformly across virtually all public collèges and lycées throughout the country. Unlike some other national systems where individual schools enjoy significant autonomy to shape their own programmes or admissions criteria, French public schools operate within a tightly defined national framework.

Private schools in France are predominantly Catholic institutions that operate as écoles sous contrat — contracted schools that receive state funding in return for following the national curriculum. Fees at these schools are typically minimal, amounting to little more than an administrative contribution, making them genuinely accessible to the majority of families. A smaller number of fully independent private schools (hors contrat) operate outside this agreement, follow their own programmes, and charge considerably higher fees. It is worth noting that state schools do not provide religious instruction, with the exception of students aged 6 to 18 in the Alsace-Moselle region, where the historic Concordat of 1801 continues to apply.

Bilingual and international sections within public schools offer an appealing middle path for expat families. Known as sections internationales, these sections deliver the French national curriculum while dedicating a meaningful portion of teaching time to instruction in a second language — most commonly English, German, Spanish, or Italian. Places in these sections tend to be competitive, especially in larger cities.

Full international schools operate independently of the French state system and deliver foreign curricula such as the British, American, or International Baccalaureate programmes. These are discussed in greater detail in the international schools section below.

What curriculum and qualifications do French schools offer?

France’s national curriculum is managed centrally by the Ministry of National Education and encompasses a notably broad range of compulsory subjects at both middle and upper secondary level. These include French language and literature, history and geography, modern foreign languages, arts and crafts, music education, civics, mathematics, physics, chemistry, life sciences, technology, and physical education. This breadth sets the French system apart from more modular secondary curricula found elsewhere — French pupils study a wide spread of disciplines throughout their years of compulsory schooling rather than narrowing early to a handful of specialisms.

The key qualifications within the French school system are:

• Diplôme national du brevet (DNB): Taken at the end of collège, the DNB is an assessed qualification that does not serve as a gateway to upper secondary education — it functions as a record of achievement rather than a selective entry requirement.
• Baccalauréat (le bac): The culminating qualification of the lycée, the baccalauréat is required for entry to university and demands sustained academic preparation across a wide range of subjects. It is broadly comparable in level to A-levels in England or the German Abitur, though its breadth of coverage is greater than either.
• CAP (Certificat d’aptitude professionnelle): A vocational qualification aimed at students pursuing careers in trades or technical fields, representing the completion of a structured practical and professional training programme.

In the final two years of general upper secondary education (première and terminale), students select from 13 specialisation options, including mathematics, sciences, languages, history-geography, and the arts. This structure replaced the earlier academic tracks (L, ES, and S) following a reform in 2019. The International Baccalaureate (IB) is offered at a number of international and bilingual schools in France as a globally recognised alternative to the bac. Families can use the IB World Schools directory to find currently authorised IB schools across France.

What are the typical school hours and holiday periods in France?

The French school year runs for ten months, opening in early September and concluding in late June or early July. Classes generally take place Monday to Friday, with mornings running from around 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM and afternoons from approximately 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM. At some schools, Wednesday mornings only are timetabled, leaving Wednesday afternoons free. The result is a longer school day than many families moving from other countries will be accustomed to, and the structured midday break — often spent in a supervised school canteen — is a distinctive element of daily life in French schools.

The overall demands of the French school week can come as a surprise to newcomers. Days are long and the volume of homework set can be considerably greater than children may have experienced elsewhere. Whether a school operates a full five-day week or reserves Wednesdays varies by school and age group, so it is advisable to confirm the timetable directly with your child’s school before they start.

Four main holiday periods punctuate the school year. Exact dates are determined annually by the Ministry of National Education, and mainland France is divided into three scheduling zones — A, B, and C — to distribute travel demand across the country. In broad terms, the calendar includes:

• Toussaint (All Saints) holidays: Approximately two weeks in late October/early November
• Christmas holidays: Approximately two weeks over Christmas and New Year
• Winter (ski) holidays: Approximately two weeks in February, staggered by zone
• Spring holidays: Approximately two weeks in April, staggered by zone
• Summer holidays: Approximately eight weeks from early July to early September

Families should check the official calendar for their zone each year via the Ministry of National Education’s website.

How do you register a child at a school in France?

Registering a child in a French school requires some forward planning, particularly in cities where well-regarded schools and bilingual sections can quickly reach capacity. The process varies slightly depending on the stage and type of school involved.

1. Contact your local mairie (town hall): Enrolment in a public school begins at the mairie. You will need to present documents including your child’s passport, vaccination records, proof of address, and any previous academic reports. The mairie will allocate your child to the appropriate local school based on your home address.
2. Gather your documents: The documents typically required include proof of residence (such as a utility bill or tenancy agreement), the child’s birth certificate, an up-to-date vaccination record, and previous school reports or certificates of attendance. Documents issued in a foreign language should ideally be accompanied by a translation, although this is not always formally required in practice.
3. Submit to the school directly: Once the mairie has issued a certificate of enrolment, present this to the school together with your supporting documents. The school will then complete your child’s formal registration.
4. For collège and lycée: Enrolment for older pupils is handled directly through the school’s administrative office. If you are aiming for a place in a lycée international or a bilingual section, earlier application is advisable and the school may ask for language assessments or a letter of motivation.
5. For private schools: Approach the school directly to obtain their specific admissions requirements and application timeline. Contracted private schools broadly follow a process similar to state schools but manage their own admissions procedures.

Starting the process early gives your family the greatest range of options. In Paris and other major cities, popular establishments and bilingual sections can fill well before the academic year begins, so contact schools as soon as you have a confirmed address. Always verify current requirements with the relevant school or mairie, and refer to the Ministry of National Education (education.gouv.fr) for official guidance.

What international schools can be found in France?

As of 2025, France is home to approximately 293 international schools, offering expat families more options than at any previous point. Whether you are based in Paris or the provinces, there are routes that range from fully international schooling to bilingual integration within the French state system. These schools are not spread evenly across the country — they tend to cluster in and around major urban centres.

France hosts a number of national international schools serving German, Spanish, Japanese, and other expatriate communities, typically teaching in the home country’s language while offering French as a secondary subject. Well-established British, American, and IB-curriculum schools are found predominantly in Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Sophia Antipolis, and the Côte d’Azur.

Fees differ considerably depending on the school and its location. As a general indication, annual tuition at international schools in France ranges from approximately €8,000 to upwards of €30,000 per year as of 2025, with centrally located Paris schools towards the upper end of that range. Tuition fees, however, are only one component of the total cost — registration charges, school transport, lunches, textbooks, and extracurricular activities can all add substantially to the overall bill. Always request a comprehensive fee schedule from any school you are seriously considering.

To find accredited international schools in France, the following resources are recommended:

• Council of International Schools (CIS/CoIS) — global directory and accreditation body
• International Baccalaureate World Schools finder — search for IB-authorised schools in France
• International Schools Consultancy (ISC Research) — data and directories for international schools worldwide
• International Schools Database — searchable by location, curriculum, and fees

Outside the main urban hubs, international schools appear more sporadically, often in areas with longstanding expat communities such as the Dordogne or Languedoc. Families considering a move to a rural location should thoroughly research the availability of suitable schooling before making firm plans.

What are the higher education options in France?

French higher education is built around three broad types of institution: universities, Grandes Écoles, and specialist schools. Each serves a distinct purpose, with different admissions processes, academic cultures, and cost implications.

Public universities offer academic, technical, and professional programmes to any student who holds a baccalauréat or a recognised foreign equivalent. The degree structure follows the licence, master, doctorat (LMD) framework, aligned with the Bologna Process. This means French qualifications — Licence and Licence Professionnelle at bachelor’s level, and Master and Doctorat at postgraduate level — are broadly compatible with qualifications from other European countries and many institutions worldwide.

Alongside the open-access university sector sits a highly selective non-university sector headed by the Grandes Écoles. Institutions such as Sciences Po, HEC Paris, and the École Polytechnique sit among the most prestigious in the world. Entry to the Grandes Écoles typically requires two years of intensive preparatory classes following the baccalauréat, and competition for places is exceptionally high.

On the question of costs: EU students and those with legal residency in France benefit from very low fees at public universities. Non-EU international students enrolling for the first time pay differentiated fees: €2,895 per year for undergraduate (Licence) study, while non-EU doctoral students pay the same rate as French and EU students (€397 per year). Private institutions — and particularly private business schools — charge considerably more, with fees typically ranging from €6,000 to €18,000 per year. All figures relate to the 2025/2026 academic year; always confirm current fees directly with institutions or via Campus France, the official body supporting international students in France.

France also offers a range of other higher education pathways: BTS programmes (two-year technical qualifications), IUT courses (two-year university technology institutes), preparatory classes for the competitive grandes écoles entrance exams, and vocational routes that lead directly into professional careers. These alternatives are well regarded by employers and are an important part of the broader higher education landscape.

What do expat parents need to know about the language of instruction in France?

French is the sole language of instruction in state schools throughout France. This is a fundamental reality for any family arriving with children: all classroom teaching in public schools is conducted in French, and children who do not yet have proficiency in the language will require targeted support to integrate effectively. The reassuring reality is that children — particularly younger ones — typically adapt to a new language far more rapidly than adults might anticipate.

Most state schools are able to provide some level of language support for newly enrolled pupils. Classes d’accueil — reception classes designed specifically for children who have not yet acquired French — are available in many larger schools, particularly at primary and collège level. These classes deliver intensive French language tuition either before or alongside mainstream lessons. Availability is not uniform across France, so it is worth contacting the local education authority (the académie) when you begin the enrolment process to find out what is on offer in your area.

Bilingual sections — referred to as sections internationales — provide another option at certain state schools. These sections deliver the French national curriculum while dedicating a meaningful share of teaching time to instruction in a second language, most often English, German, Spanish, or Italian. For children who need some instruction in a familiar language while gradually building their French, these sections offer a structured path into the system without stepping fully outside it.

For families planning to remain in France over the long term, integrating children into the French state system — even after an initial period at an international school — is widely seen as the most effective route to full social and academic integration. Children who complete their secondary education through the French system will leave with a baccalauréat recognised by universities both in France and internationally. It is worth preparing children emotionally as well as linguistically for the transition: the pace of the French school day is demanding, and the volume of homework expected may well be greater than anything they have encountered before.

What financial assistance or subsidies exist for education in France?

All children residing legally in France between the ages of 3 and 16 are entitled to free state education, regardless of their parents’ nationality. This entitlement applies universally to all children living in France, and public schools levy no tuition fees. Families may encounter minor expenses related to school meals, extracurricular activities, or materials, but these remain modest in comparison to the costs of private or international schooling.

Free, secular education is available at all levels of the public system — from primary through to lycée. Families who opt for contracted private schools (sous contrat) will generally pay only a small monthly contribution, since these schools receive state funding. Fully independent private schools and international schools, by contrast, operate on commercial fee structures and receive no public subsidy.

In higher education, France provides a range of financial support for eligible students. Need-based and merit-based grants are available and can be combined with student loans. Families with dependent students under the age of 25 may benefit from tax relief, and students under 26 are also eligible for certain tax advantages. Together, these direct and indirect support mechanisms form a relatively comprehensive framework for reducing the cost burden of higher education for French residents.

Campus France maintains a searchable scholarship platform — Campus Bourses — through which international students can identify funding opportunities by field of study and nationality. For private and international school fees, no government subsidy is available in France, though many employers who relocate staff internationally include an education allowance as part of their expatriate package — this is worth raising as a point of negotiation if you are being moved by your employer.

For up-to-date information on entitlements and financial support, consult the Ministry of National Education, your local académie (regional education authority), and Campus France for higher education funding.

Frequently asked questions: education in France for expats

Do my children have to go to school if we move to France?

Yes. Schooling is compulsory for all children aged 3 to 16 who are resident in France, regardless of nationality. Families moving to France with school-age children are legally obliged to enrol them in a recognised school or, under strictly defined conditions, to arrange approved home instruction. Failure to meet this obligation can result in significant legal consequences.

How quickly do children learn French in school?

Younger children typically develop conversational French within six to twelve months of full immersion, and near-native fluency often follows within two to three years. Older children, especially teenagers entering at lycée level, generally take longer and may benefit more from beginning at an international or bilingual school before transitioning to the French system. Many public schools provide welcome classes (classes d’accueil) offering intensive language support to newly arrived pupils who do not yet speak French — check what is available with your local académie at the time of enrolment.

Will my child’s foreign qualifications be recognised in France?

France assesses foreign qualifications on a case-by-case basis. Public universities accept students who hold a baccalauréat or a recognised foreign equivalent, and the institution or the Ministry of National Education will evaluate the equivalency of secondary qualifications from abroad. For higher education entry, Campus France and individual universities can advise on how a given foreign qualification aligns with French entry requirements.

Can my child attend a French state school if we are not permanent residents?

Yes. The compulsory education requirement applies to all children between the ages of 3 and 16 who are residing in France, regardless of nationality. Provided your child is legally living in France — even temporarily — they are entitled to enrol in a state school. You will need to supply proof of your address in the relevant catchment area, along with the standard enrolment documentation.

Are there waiting lists for popular schools or bilingual sections?

In Paris and other major cities, highly regarded state schools and those with international or bilingual sections can be oversubscribed. Beginning the enrolment process as early as possible gives your family the broadest range of options. For standard state schools, places are allocated by catchment area, so the neighbourhood you choose to live in can matter as much as the timing of your application. Contact both the local mairie and the school directly as soon as you have a confirmed address.

What childcare options are available for children under 3?

France has one of the highest rates of participation in formal childcare for children under three in the EU — reaching 59.4% in 2024 — well above the EU average and above the 2030 Barcelona target of 45%. Options include crèches (nurseries), registered family childminders, and micro-crèches. In cities, demand often outstrips supply, so it is advisable to register with several providers as early as possible. The CAF (Caisse d’Allocations Familiales) administers subsidies to help offset costs — visit caf.fr for further information.

Can adults and expats access French universities or language courses?

Yes. Public universities are open to any student who holds a baccalauréat or a recognised foreign equivalent, and adult learners are no exception. Those wishing to study French or pursue further qualifications have access to a wide range of programmes — from intensive language courses offered by institutions affiliated with the Sorbonne to full degree programmes at public universities. Campus France is the official gateway for international students and provides guidance and information in multiple languages.

What is the baccalauréat and how does it compare to qualifications in other countries?

The baccalauréat is the French upper secondary leaving qualification, typically sat at around age 18 at the end of the lycée. It is required for entry to French universities and is recognised internationally as a strong academic credential. Where systems such as the English A-levels ask students to focus deeply on three or four subjects, the bac demands demonstrated competency across a much broader range of disciplines simultaneously — including French language, mathematics, sciences, history, and foreign languages. In terms of level, it is broadly comparable to the A-level system in England or the Abitur in Germany, but its scope is wider than either.