How many international schools are there in Paris?

There are 53 international schools in Paris and its inner suburbs, with an average annual fee of around €16,067. The majority of English-medium schools are concentrated in the western arc from the 16th arrondissement through Neuilly, Saint-Cloud and out to Croissy-sur-Seine and Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

What is the cheapest way to get an English-medium education in Paris?

The Lycée International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye (LISGL) British Section offers a rigorous English-language qualification (the OIB, recognised by UK universities) for approximately €3,746–€9,090 per year. Free state bilingual sections exist at primary level, and state international sections at collège and lycée offer 4–6 extra hours of English per week at no cost.

Do British children need to speak French to attend a Paris international school?

At full English-medium schools (BSP, ISP, ICS, ASP), French is taught as an additional language and no prior French is required. At the LISGL British Section and EJM, a strong level of both English and French is expected. State bilingual sections require near-native French alongside English.

Has Brexit affected British children at Paris international schools?

British families who were resident in France before 31 December 2020 hold Withdrawal Agreement residence cards and retain near-EU rights, including access to CAF social benefits. New arrivals since 2021 are treated as third-country nationals and must obtain a long-stay visa before relocating. School admissions rules are not directly affected by Brexit status.

Best International Schools in Paris 2026 Guide

Paris is home to one of the largest concentrations of international schools in Europe. With 53 international schools and an average annual fee of around €16,067, the city offers a genuine spectrum of provision — from free state bilingual programmes to high-fee full English-medium campuses catering to every budget and educational philosophy.

For British expat families, the choice is particularly rich. Unlike most European capitals, Paris has not only full English-medium international schools but also a well-developed bilingual French-English sector and a state international section system that offers a recognised, affordable alternative to private schooling. Understanding how these layers fit together is the starting point for any Paris property search.

The Landscape at a Glance

Paris international education divides into four broad categories:

Full English-medium international schools teach entirely or predominantly in English and follow international curricula (IB, American, or British National Curriculum). They are the most expensive option and carry the highest fees, typically €20,000–€39,000 per year. The main schools in this category are the International School of Paris (ISP), ICS Paris, the British School of Paris (BSP), the American School of Paris (ASP) and Marymount International.

Bilingual private schools deliver a roughly equal split between English and French instruction. École Jeannine Manuel (EJM) is the most prominent, offering an internationally regarded bilingual education from ages 3 to 18, with pathways to the IB Diploma or the French Baccalauréat. Fees at EJM are considerably lower than full English-medium schools at primary and middle levels, though they rise sharply at lycée.

State international sections (sections internationales) exist within the French public school system. Lycée International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye (LISGL), 25 minutes west of Paris by RER, is the flagship example. Its British Section prepares students for the OIB — the French Baccalauréat combined with A-Level-standard English-language papers — at fees of approximately €3,746–€9,090 per year. Entry is selective and language testing is rigorous.

State bilingual sections (sections bilingues) at primary level and collèges offer a portion of curriculum taught in English alongside standard French-medium teaching. These are essentially free, though securing a place requires early application and, at secondary level, near-native English ability.

The Western Cluster

The single most important geography fact for families choosing a Paris property is this: the international school cluster is almost entirely western. The 16th arrondissement, Neuilly-sur-Seine, Saint-Cloud, Boulogne-Billancourt, Croissy-sur-Seine and Saint-Germain-en-Laye form an arc that contains the overwhelming majority of English-medium schools. Eastern Paris — the 11th, 12th and 20th arrondissements, and Vincennes — is poorly served. Families choosing to live east of central Paris should factor in commutes of 40–60 minutes or more to reach the main schools.

The RER A line is the backbone of school commuting. It runs from central Paris westward through the 16th arrondissement, Neuilly (via Métro 1 connection), Saint-Cloud and out to Saint-Germain-en-Laye in the west and Chatou-Croissy (for BSP) slightly south-west. A journey from the 16th to Chatou-Croissy takes approximately 25–30 minutes; from the 16th to Saint-Germain takes around 25 minutes.

The Main Schools

The British School of Paris (BSP)

BSP is the only school in the Paris area offering the full English National Curriculum from Early Years through to A-Levels. It is located in Croissy-sur-Seine (Yvelines, 78), approximately 25 km west of central Paris, and is reached by RER A to Chatou-Croissy or by the school's bus network covering the western 16th and 17th arrondissements.

Fees for 2025–26 range from €20,684 at KG1 (age 3) to €34,065 for A-Level years. A one-time registration fee of €1,500 and a Development Fund contribution of €8,000 apply in the first year. In 2025, A-Level results showed 28% A*/A and 55% A*-B; GCSE results showed 67% of grades at 7–9 (A*/A equivalent). Full details on the British curriculum pathway are in our guide to British schools in Paris.

International School of Paris (ISP)

ISP is a full IB World School in the 16th arrondissement, the only major international school within Paris proper. It offers the IB Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme from ages 2 to 18. Fees for 2026–27 range from €25,500 at Nursery to €39,000 at Diploma Programme level. A non-refundable entry fee of €10,000 applies from Grade 1 onwards. ISP is oversubscribed at several entry points and applications for September entry are strongest between October and December.

École Jeannine Manuel (EJM)

EJM in the 15th arrondissement is among the most sought-after schools in Paris. It offers genuine French-English bilingual education from age 3, accredited by the French Ministry of Education at primary and middle levels (which keeps those fees lower) and offering pathways to the IB Diploma or the French Baccalauréat at lycée. Primary fees are approximately €9,935 per year; lycée fees jump to €32,560. EJM is highly competitive at every entry point — applications 12–18 months ahead are strongly advised.

ICS Paris

ICS Paris in the 15th arrondissement offers the full IB Continuum (PYP, MYP and Diploma) from ages 3 to 18, with fees ranging from €20,595 to €31,260. ICS is the most accessible of the main English-medium schools — it does not require entrance exams and operates rolling admissions. About a third of students use the school's shuttle service.

Lycée International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye (LISGL)

LISGL is a French public school with 14 national sections, including the British Section established in 1952 to serve NATO SHAPE personnel. The British Section leads to the OIB (Baccalauréat Français International) — the French Baccalauréat combined with English-language papers described as A-Level standard. Near-100% Bac pass rates place it among France's top schools. Fees are approximately €3,746–€9,090 per year, making it by far the most affordable credible route to a UK-recognised qualification in the Paris area.

Entry requires a written English comprehension and essay test followed by an oral examination at native or near-native standard. It is not appropriate for families who are beginning French or whose children have no English-medium schooling background. Applications run September–December; written tests take place around March; oral examinations in April–May; results in June–July.

The American School of Paris (ASP)

ASP in Saint-Cloud follows the US curriculum from Pre-K to Grade 12, with an IB Diploma option. Fees for 2026–27 range from approximately €25,000 to €40,950. Most grades have waiting lists and the school operates rolling admissions. Private bus routes cover the 7th, 8th and 16th arrondissements and parts of Hauts-de-Seine.

Marymount International School Paris

Marymount in Neuilly is a Catholic English-medium school for ages 2–14 only. It does not offer secondary provision beyond Grade 8, so families planning a full 3–18 pathway will need to arrange a secondary transition. Fees for 2026–27 range from €23,750 to €39,000.

Bilingual Montessori School of Paris

The Bilingual Montessori School of Paris has multiple campuses and covers ages 2–12. Fees are €13,450–€15,750, considerably lower than most English-medium alternatives. As with Marymount, families need a transition plan at age 11–12.

Comparing Options: A Summary Table

School	Location	Curriculum	Ages	Annual Fees (approx.)
LISGL (British Section)	Saint-Germain-en-Laye	OIB (French Bac + English papers)	6–18	€3,746–€9,090
EJM	15th arr.	Bilingual French-English; IB DP / French Bac	3–18	€9,935–€32,560
Bilingual Montessori	Multiple (incl. 8th)	French-English Montessori	2–12	€13,450–€15,750
ICS Paris	15th arr.	Full IB Continuum	3–18	€20,595–€31,260
BSP	Croissy-sur-Seine	English NC → IGCSE → A-Level	3–18	€20,684–€34,065
Marymount	Neuilly	Catholic international	2–14	€23,750–€39,000
ASP	Saint-Cloud	US curriculum + IB DP	Pre-K–18	€25,000–€40,950
ISP	16th arr.	Full IB Continuum	2–18	€25,500–€39,000

The Bilingual and State Routes

One of Paris's genuine advantages for international families is the depth of the bilingual and state-funded route. British families who intend to stay in France for several years — and whose children can develop French alongside English — have access to options that are simply not available in most other expatriate cities.

At primary level, French state maternelle (nursery school) is free, compulsory from age 3 and of genuinely high quality. Very young children — typically those arriving before age 6 or 7 — often adapt to full French immersion faster than families expect.

At secondary level, state lycées with sections internationales offer 4–6 extra hours per week of English-language history, literature and geography. Approximately 50 Paris lycées have English or international sections. These are essentially free, though entry requires near-native English ability and competitive language testing.

The OIB pathway via LISGL represents the most sophisticated state-funded option: a full French Baccalauréat qualification combined with English-language international papers at A-Level standard, for fees a fraction of private international schools.

Brexit and Residency

British families in Paris fall into two groups, with meaningfully different administrative experiences.

Families resident in France before 31 December 2020 hold the special Withdrawal Agreement carte de séjour. These cards grant near-EU rights including the right to work without a permit and access to CAF family benefits. Most five-year Withdrawal Agreement cards issued in late 2020 or early 2021 are due for renewal in 2025–26 — families should contact their prefecture at least three to six months before expiry.

Families arriving after 2021 are treated as third-country nationals. They must obtain a long-stay visa (VLS-TS) from the French Consulate in the UK before departing, validate it with OFII within three months of arriving, and apply for a multi-year residence card after twelve months. Brexit has not affected school admissions rules, but it has added administrative complexity to the relocation itself.

Planning Your Move

School choice should drive neighbourhood choice in Paris, not the other way around. The western cluster means that families intent on the main English-medium schools will find life considerably easier living in the 16th arrondissement, Neuilly, Saint-Cloud, Boulogne-Billancourt or Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Before signing any lease, test the actual school commute at peak hours.

For detailed guidance on each aspect of this decision, see our companion guides:

How Global Investments Can Help

Global Investments works with British families relocating to Paris, helping them identify properties in the right neighbourhoods for their chosen schools and advising on the Paris property market from a position of on-the-ground experience. Whether you are considering an owner-purchase in the 16th, Neuilly or Saint-Germain-en-Laye, or planning a rental ahead of a longer-term decision, our team can help you structure the property side of your move. Contact us to discuss your family's 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.

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.

Best International Schools in Paris: Complete 2026 Guide for Expat Families