Primary Schools in Paris for Expat Families: Complete 2026 Guide

Paris gives British expat families a more varied set of primary school options than almost any other expatriate city in Europe. The city combines a world-class state education system (which is, in practice, a genuine option for younger children), a well-developed bilingual French-English school sector, and a cluster of full English-medium international schools — all within a compact geography served by good public transport.

The right primary school choice depends on three things: your child's age and any previous language exposure, how long you intend to stay in France, and which secondary pathway you are planning towards. This guide walks through each primary school type with honest assessments of who each suits best.

French State Maternelle: The Overlooked Option for Under-7s

The French state école maternelle (nursery and infant school, typically ages 3–6) is one of the most underrated options for British families arriving in Paris with young children. It is free, universally available, highly structured and, for very young children, often the fastest route to confident French-English bilingualism.

Children under approximately 6 or 7 years old acquire new languages through exposure and play rather than formal instruction. A British child placed into a French maternelle at age 3 or 4 will typically develop strong conversational French within 6–12 months and often reach effective bilingual fluency within 2–3 years. This does not require prior French knowledge from parents and does not disadvantage the child's English development, provided English is maintained at home.

The practical case for state maternelle is strongest when:

• The child is 3–6 years old at time of arrival
• The family anticipates a stay of at least two to three years in France
• The secondary plan allows for a bilingual or French-educated route (LISGL British Section, EJM, state lycée with international section)
• The family wants to reduce primary-level education costs significantly (free versus €20,000–€35,000 at private international schools)

The case for state maternelle is weaker when:

• A move back to the UK is likely within 12–18 months (insufficient time to benefit from the immersion)
• The child has a learning support need that the state school cannot accommodate
• The family's long-term secondary plan requires continuity of English-medium schooling from an early age (for example, joining BSP for IGCSE continuity requires familiarity with the English National Curriculum from primary)

Sections Bilingues at State Primary Level

Selected Paris state primaries offer sections bilingues — a portion of the curriculum taught in English alongside standard French-medium teaching. These sections are allocated by the Académie de Paris through a competitive admissions process and are effectively free. They provide a stepping stone for children who want English maintained during the state primary years and offer a pathway into state international sections at collège and lycée level.

École Jeannine Manuel (EJM): Best Value Bilingual From Age 3

EJM in the 15th arrondissement is the most prestigious bilingual French-English school in Paris. It takes children from age 3 (Maternelle / KG) and operates a genuinely bilingual curriculum throughout primary, with approximately equal time in French and English from the earliest years.

At primary and middle levels, EJM is accredited by the French Ministry of Education (sous contrat), which means it receives state subsidy for the French curriculum component. This allows EJM to charge primary fees of approximately €9,935 per year — substantially lower than the full English-medium international schools. At middle school (Grades 6–8) fees are approximately €11,185 per year.

EJM is an excellent choice for families who:

• Want genuine bilingual development from an early age
• Are likely to remain in Paris through secondary and want a coherent pathway to IB or French Bac at lycée
• Want the academic rigour and social environment of an international school without full private-school fees at primary level
• Can accept that French is not a foreign language supplement at EJM — it is half of the curriculum, and children are expected to engage fully in both languages

Apply 12–18 months ahead. EJM is the most oversubscribed school in Paris at almost every year group. For primary entry, this urgency is as real as for secondary. See our waiting lists guide for strategy.

ICS Paris: Accessible Full IB from Age 3

ICS Paris in the 15th arrondissement offers the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) from Nursery (age 3) through Grade 5 (age 10), continuing into MYP and Diploma Programme at secondary. Fees for the early years (Nursery through KG) are approximately €20,595, rising to €23,940 for Grades 1–5.

ICS is the most accessible of the main English-medium schools in Paris — it has no entrance examination and operates rolling admissions. This makes it an invaluable option for families who arrive in Paris without a school place confirmed or who miss the main October–December window at more oversubscribed schools.

One-time fees include an application fee of €750, a registration fee of €2,800, a refundable deposit of €4,000 and a non-refundable Development Fund of €3,750. Approximately a third of ICS students use the school's shuttle service.

ICS is a natural choice for families who:

• Want the full IB Continuum from early childhood through Diploma, without changing schools
• Are new arrivals who need to secure a place quickly
• Want English-medium instruction with French as an additional language (not a co-language)
• Prefer rolling admissions over competitive waiting lists

International School of Paris (ISP): IB in the 16th from Age 2

ISP is the only major international school located within Paris proper, in the 16th arrondissement. It accepts children from Nursery (age 2) and offers the full IB Continuum through to the Diploma Programme.

Nursery and Pre-K fees are €25,500. Kindergarten rises to €31,100. Primary fees are €31,400 per year. The non-refundable entry fee of €10,000 (from Grade 1 onwards) makes ISP the most expensive primary option when one-time costs are included.

ISP is oversubscribed at Kindergarten level — families should apply during the October–December window, ideally a year ahead. The 16th arrondissement location is the most convenient of any international school for families living in central or western Paris, and contributes to sustained demand.

ISP suits families who:

• Live in or near the 16th arrondissement
• Want a full IB pathway from Nursery through to Diploma
• Are comfortable with the highest fee tier in Paris
• Are planning potential US university applications alongside UK (the IB is strongly suited to both)

British School of Paris (BSP): English National Curriculum from Age 3

BSP in Croissy-sur-Seine (Yvelines, 78) accepts children from KG1 (age 3) and follows the English National Curriculum throughout. It is the only school in the Paris area offering this curriculum, making it the natural choice for families who want complete continuity with the UK system.

Primary fees range from €20,684 (KG1) to €28,680 (Grades 4–5). The first-year one-time costs of approximately €9,500 (registration + Development Fund) should be factored in. School buses cover the western 16th, 17th and the Yvelines suburbs, and the RER A to Chatou-Croissy serves families in central Paris.

BSP is the right primary choice for families who:

• Are likely to return to the UK during secondary school years, or want their child to sit IGCSEs and A-Levels
• Have children who have already started the English National Curriculum in the UK and need continuity
• Live in the western 16th, 17th, Neuilly or Yvelines suburbs
• Want a single-school route from age 3 through to A-Levels

See our guide to British schools in Paris for full details on BSP's results and location.

Marymount International: Catholic School, Ages 2–14

Marymount in Neuilly-sur-Seine is a Catholic international school taking children from age 2. It is English-medium with a Catholic ethos and is popular with families for whom the school's character and values are an important consideration alongside academics.

Fees for 2026–27 are €23,750 (Nursery), rising to €27,750 at KG2 and €34,900 for primary grades. One-time costs include a €1,400 application fee and a substantial Capital Assessment of €12,400.

The critical limitation of Marymount for families planning a full Paris education is that the school ends at Grade 8 (age 13–14). Families must plan a secondary school transition in advance. Given the oversubscription at ISP, ICS, BSP and EJM at secondary entry points, this transition cannot be left to the last minute. Apply to secondary schools no later than Grade 6.

Bilingual Montessori School of Paris: Lower Fees, Ages 2–12

The Bilingual Montessori School of Paris (founded 1972) operates several campuses across Paris, including in the 8th arrondissement. It offers French-English bilingual Montessori education from ages 2 to 12. Fees are €13,450 for ages 2–5 and €15,750 for ages 6–12 — considerably lower than any full English-medium international school. The one-time new student fee is €500.

Montessori pedagogy — child-led learning, multi-age classes, emphasis on independence — suits some families' educational philosophies strongly and is less suited to others. If Montessori is not a deliberate choice, the school's teaching approach should be explored before applying.

As with Marymount, there is no secondary provision. The family will need to plan a secondary transition at age 11–12.

Age-by-Age Summary

Child's Age	Best State Route	Best Bilingual Private	Best English-Medium
2–3	Crèche (state nursery)	Bilingual Montessori	Marymount / ISP Nursery
3–6	French maternelle (immersion)	EJM (age 3+)	BSP KG1, ICS Nursery
6–11	Sections bilingues (state primary)	EJM Primary (~€9,935/yr)	ISP, ICS, BSP Grades 1–5
11–12	Sections internationales (state)	EJM Middle School (~€11,185/yr)	ICS, BSP Grade 6, ISP Grade 6

How Global Investments Can Help

Global Investments helps British families relocating to Paris make property decisions that serve their children's educational needs from day one. We understand the geography of the Paris primary school landscape and can identify properties in the right neighbourhoods for your chosen school — whether that is a rental in the 16th while your ISP application progresses, or a family home in the Saint-Germain-en-Laye area near BSP and LISGL. Contact us to discuss your family's requirements.

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.