Where you live in Paris determines how manageable your child's school commute is every day — and Paris's international schools are not spread across the city. They cluster almost entirely in the western arc, from the 16th arrondissement westward through Neuilly, Saint-Cloud, Boulogne-Billancourt, Croissy-sur-Seine and out to Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Families who choose a home in this arc will have short, straightforward school runs. Families who settle in central, southern or eastern Paris may find their day structured around 40- to 60-minute commutes each way.
This guide maps the main residential options for expatriate families in the Paris area, explains the connection between each neighbourhood and the main schools, and sets out the practical transport realities.
The Fundamental Geography: The Western Cluster
The schools in Paris that British families typically target are located as follows:
| School | Location |
|---|---|
| International School of Paris (ISP) | 16th arrondissement |
| ICS Paris | 15th arrondissement |
| École Jeannine Manuel (EJM) | 15th arrondissement |
| Marymount International | Neuilly-sur-Seine |
| American School of Paris (ASP) | Saint-Cloud |
| British School of Paris (BSP) | Croissy-sur-Seine |
| Lycée International (LISGL) | Saint-Germain-en-Laye |
| Bilingual Montessori | Multiple (incl. 8th arr.) |
The pattern is clear: there is no major English-medium international school east of the 15th arrondissement. The eastern arrondissements — the 11th, 12th, 19th and 20th — and the inner eastern suburbs (Vincennes, Montreuil) are essentially unserved by the main international schools. This is not a gap that public transport comfortably bridges: a journey from the 20th to ISP in the 16th at 8 am takes 45–60 minutes by public transport.
The 16th Arrondissement (Passy, La Muette, Auteuil)
The 16th is the traditional heart of the Paris expatriate community and provides the most convenient access to the greatest number of international schools. ISP is located within the arrondissement. School bus routes for BSP's Croissy campus run through the western 16th. The RER A, accessible at the Boulainvilliers or Muette stops (via connection), takes families to Chatou-Croissy (BSP) in approximately 25–30 minutes and to Saint-Germain-en-Laye (LISGL) in around 25 minutes.
The 16th is a large, quiet and family-oriented arrondissement with a strong restaurant and services infrastructure. It has its own bilingual state primary sections, giving French-speaking families a free primary option within the arrondissement before secondary decisions are required.
Housing in the 16th is expensive by Paris standards. Families looking for four-bedroom apartments will typically be looking at significant monthly rents, and purchase prices are among the highest in the city. The trade-off is convenience, community and access to virtually every main international school in the western cluster.
Best suited to families targeting: ISP (within walking distance), BSP (short school bus or RER A), EJM (15th, short taxi or bus from southern 16th), ASP (private bus routes), ICS (15th, accessible by bus).
Neuilly-sur-Seine
Neuilly is not technically in Paris — it sits just outside the Périphérique to the north-west — but it is contiguous with the 17th arrondissement and functions as an extension of the western residential market for most expatriate families. It has a substantial diplomatic and international executive community and is well-served by Métro 1 (the east-west artery that also runs through the 16th and connects to La Défense, where many international employers are based).
Marymount International is located in or near Neuilly. ISP, ICS and EJM are all within reasonable reach. For families with younger children at Marymount who will need to transition to secondary, Neuilly's transport connections make it straightforward to move to ISP or ICS at Grade 8.
Housing in Neuilly is expensive, broadly comparable to the 16th, though with a higher proportion of large houses as opposed to apartments. It is among the most popular choices for British families at senior executive level.
Best suited to families targeting: Marymount, ISP, ASP (bus routes), ICS, EJM.
Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Saint-Germain-en-Laye is the western terminus of RER Line A — 25 minutes from the Arc de Triomphe and approximately 30–35 minutes from central Paris. The town itself is spacious, historically significant and well-resourced with good schools, restaurants and leisure facilities. It is a self-contained town rather than a suburb, which makes day-to-day life very practical — particularly for families who do not want to commute into Paris for shopping and services.
LISGL is located here, making it the obvious first choice for families targeting the British Section. BSP in Croissy-sur-Seine is immediately adjacent — families in Saint-Germain can access both LISGL and BSP with ease, making it uniquely flexible for families trying to keep both options open. This is a significant advantage for families who have applied to LISGL but are uncertain whether their child will pass the language test.
Housing in Saint-Germain is considerably more affordable than the 16th or Neuilly. Families can find large houses with gardens at prices that would buy a modest apartment in the 16th. It is the dominant choice for diplomatic families assigned to Paris and for British families planning a long-term stay.
Best suited to families targeting: LISGL British Section (school is here), BSP (Croissy-sur-Seine, immediately adjacent), and secondarily ISP/ICS (RER A or car).
Boulogne-Billancourt
Boulogne-Billancourt sits between the southern edge of Paris and the south-western suburbs. It provides reasonable access to ICS Paris and EJM (both in the 15th), and is home to the Open Sky International School for families wanting an alternative English-medium option at primary level. It is considerably more affordable than the 16th or Neuilly and has a significant international professional community driven by the presence of media and technology employers.
BSP and ASP are not particularly convenient from Boulogne without a car. LISGL requires a combination of bus and RER A and is manageable but not quick. For families targeting ICS or EJM as their primary school, Boulogne is a practical and increasingly popular choice.
Best suited to families targeting: ICS (15th, 20–30 minutes by bus), EJM (15th, similar), Open Sky International (locally).
Issy-les-Moulineaux
Issy sits immediately south of Boulogne-Billancourt and provides a similar proximity profile for ICS and EJM. It is slightly less connected than Boulogne for other schools but is an option for families who want affordability alongside access to the 15th arrondissement schools.
Best suited to families targeting: ICS, EJM.
Versailles
Versailles is 35–40 minutes from central Paris by RER C (to Gare d'Austerlitz, Invalides or Montparnasse) or by SNCF train. It is a fully self-contained historic city with excellent local schools, a large international community and considerably more space per euro than any arrondissement inside the Périphérique.
Families targeting LISGL in Saint-Germain-en-Laye typically commute via a combination of local bus and RER or by car — the journey is manageable but requires planning. Versailles is not a practical base for daily commutes to BSP, ISP or ICS without a car.
Versailles attracts families planning a long-term stay in France who want a genuine house with a garden, good local French schooling as a fallback, and proximity to LISGL for secondary years. It is car-dependent more than most Paris-area locations.
Best suited to families targeting: LISGL (car or bus/RER combination to Saint-Germain).
The 7th and 8th Arrondissements (Central Paris)
Families living in the 7th (near the Eiffel Tower, Embassy district) or 8th (Champs-Élysées, Monceau) are well-served by ASP's private bus routes, which cover these arrondissements. ISP in the 16th is accessible by Métro or bus. ICS in the 15th is within cycling distance for older children.
The 7th and 8th are among the most expensive arrondissements in Paris but are popular for senior diplomatic and corporate families who need central Paris access alongside school convenience.
Best suited to families targeting: ASP (private bus), ISP (short Métro ride), EJM/ICS (15th, manageable).
Eastern Arrondissements (11th, 12th, 20th, Vincennes): Honest Assessment
Families considering the 11th, 12th, 20th or Vincennes should understand clearly that this is the most poorly served area of Paris for English-medium international schools. ISP in the 16th is the nearest credible school at 40–60 minutes by public transport in peak hours. ICS in the 15th is similar. Neither school operates bus routes into eastern Paris.
The eastern arrondissements are popular for lifestyle and affordability reasons — they have excellent food, night life, markets and architecture — and are perfectly viable for families using the state bilingual sections or the sections internationales at local lycées. But they are not a practical base for the main international schools.
Families committed to eastern Paris who need English-medium schooling should build their strategy around ICS (which has a shuttle service covering a wide area) or EJM (at primary level, where French transition is easier for younger children). In both cases, expect daily commutes of 45–60 minutes each way and plan accordingly.
A Note on the School Commute Test
Before signing any lease or completing any property purchase, test the actual school run at 8:00 am on a Tuesday or Thursday during term time. Paris traffic in the western suburbs is unpredictable and the experience of driving in light conditions is completely unlike peak-hour reality. The RER A is reliable but can run with significant delays in peak periods. School buses depend on traffic flows that vary seasonally.
Our full school application guidance is in our how to apply guide. For a full school comparison, see our Paris international schools hub.
How Global Investments Can Help
Global Investments has experience of the western Paris and suburban residential markets that matter most for expat families. Whether you are looking to rent in the 16th while your child's school application is finalised, or to buy a family home in Saint-Germain-en-Laye for a longer-term Paris posting, our team can help you find the right property in the right location. Contact us to discuss your requirements and timeline.
This guide is for general information only. School fees, residency requirements, and educational frameworks change regularly. Always verify current information directly with schools and relevant French authorities.
Frequently asked questions
Which arrondissement in Paris is best for expat families?
The 16th arrondissement is the traditional centre of the Paris expat community and provides the best access to the main English-medium schools: ISP is located there, and the 16th is well-served by school buses for BSP (Croissy), ISP and ASP (Saint-Cloud). Neuilly-sur-Seine, technically outside Paris on its western edge, is equally popular and offers Métro 1 access and proximity to ISP, ICS and EJM.
Where should families targeting LISGL British Section live in Paris?
Saint-Germain-en-Laye itself is the first choice for LISGL families — it is the school's home town, 25 minutes from Paris on RER A. BSP in Croissy is also adjacent, so LISGL families in Saint-Germain-en-Laye can easily access both schools. Versailles is another option for families wanting space and affordability, with a 35–40 minute commute by RER C or SNCF.
Is eastern Paris a realistic base for international school families?
Eastern Paris (11th, 12th, 20th arrondissements and Vincennes) is poorly served for English-medium international schools. ISP in the 16th and ICS in the 15th are the nearest credible options, but both are 40–60 minutes away in peak hours. Families determined to live in eastern Paris should plan around ICS (shuttle service available) or consider the state bilingual section route, which has some provision in central Paris.
Is Versailles a good base for Paris international school families?
Versailles works for families who prioritise space, affordability and are committed to LISGL in Saint-Germain-en-Laye (35–40 minutes by RER C or SNCF). It is largely car-dependent for the school run and requires planning around public transport times. It is not a practical base for BSP, ISP or ICS without a car.
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute financial, legal or tax advice. Rules, fees and regulations change frequently; verify current requirements with a qualified adviser before acting.