Where to find the best international schools in France
Have you recently moved to France and are looking for an international school for your child? France has a wide range of international schools available, which cater for different curriculums, languages, and exams. Here is our guide to the best international schools in France, both state and private, in the 10 biggest cities in France.
1. Marseille
Collège and Lycée Marseilleveyre
Located in the 8th arrondissement of Marseille, this state secondary school offers international sections in Spanish, Italian, Arabic and English.
Address: 83 Traverse Parangon, 13008 Marseille
Click here for more information on the collège and lycée.
International School of Marseille
This private bilingual school welcomes children aged 2-18. Lessons are taught half in French and half in English. It has two other international campuses in Aix-en-Provence and Montpellier.
Address: 27 Boulevard de la Corderie, 13007 Marseille
Click here for more information.
2. Lyon
École cité scolaire internationale
This state school admits students aged 3-18 and offers English, German, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese and Japanese international sections. It’s in beautiful location right by the river in the 7th arrondissement of Lyon.
Address: 2 place de Montréal 69361 Lyon
Click here for more information.
Ombrosa International School
This private school offers education from nursery to secondary school level. Classes are taught in English and French, with the opportunity to learn Spanish, German and Japanese as well. Students have the option to study for the IB and IGCSEs.
Address for the nursery: 50 Rue Vendôme, 69006 Lyon
Address for the primary and secondary school: 95 Quai Clemenceau, 69300 Caluire-et-Cuire
Click here for more information.
Want to see more? Read our article: Top 5 Bilingual and International Schools in Toulouse
3. Toulouse
Collège and Lycée Victor Hugo
This state school is situated in Colombiers, just outside Toulouse. It has a British section and also offers double baccalaureate programmes in German (abibac) and Spanish (bachibac).
Address: 33 Boulevard Victor Hugo 31773 Colombiers
Click here for more information on the collège and lycée.
International School of Toulouse (IST)
The IST welcomes children aged 3 to 18. Lessons are taught mainly in English, but French, Spanish and German classes are also available as both first and second languages in the secondary school.
Address: 2 Allée de l’Herbaudière 31770 Colomiers
Click here for more information.
Want to see more? Read our article: Top 5 Bilingual and International Schools in Lyon
4. Nice
Collège and Lycée international Valbonne
This is the state school with most languages offered in the Nice académie and is situated in Valbonne. It offers Anglo-American, German, Italian, Spanish and Russian international sections. Students can also take the baccalaureate with the international option.
Address: 190 Rue Frédéric Mistral, 06560 Valbonne
Click here for more information.
International School of Nice (ISN)
The ISN is a private bilingual school which welcomes students aged 4-18 and offers the IB and IGCSEs. All lessons are taught in English, with some French lessons available as well. Classes are small (with around 20 students in each) and the school welcomes students from over 40 countries.
Address: 15 Avenue Claude Debussy 06200 Nice
Click here for more information.
5. Nantes
Cité scolaire Grand Air
This state secondary school has an international British section and a bilingual German and English section. There is also the option to study German and Spanish from 5eme (the age of 12) onwards.
Address: 12 Avenue de Tremeac, 44500 La Baule-Escoublac
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International School of Nantes
Located near a forest on the outskirts of Nantes, this private bilingual school welcomes children from the age of 3 months to 15 years. Half of the classes are taught in French and the other half in English.
Address: 15 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 44800 Saint-Herblain
Click here for more information.
6. Strasbourg
Ecole internationale Robert Schuman
This state primary school and nursery offers British, German, Spanish and Italian international sections. For students wishing to continue studying in an international environment, there is a choice of three public secondary schools in Strasbourg with international sections.
Address: 8 Rue Vauban, 67000 Strasbourg
Click here for more information.
European School of Strasbourg
The European School of Strasbourg is a private school belonging to a network of schools across Europe. It offers English, French and German sections, and there is also the option to study Italian and Spanish. Students are awarded the European Baccalaureate (EB) at the end of their studies, which is a diploma exclusive to the European schools network.
Address: 2 rue Peter Schwarber 67000 Strasbourg
Click here for more information.
7. Montpellier
Lycée international Jules Guesde
This state high school offers Anglo-American, Arabic and Chinese international sections. Students have the option to follow a double baccalaureate programme in Spanish (bachibac) and Italian (esabac). The school offers a wide range of languages classes: English, German, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese.
Address: 110 avenue de Lodève 34000 Montpellier
Click here for more information.
Ecole Privée Bilingue Internationale (EPBI)
This bilingual private school is located in a beautiful château 10 minutes from Montpellier. It offers a French and English curriculum. There is also the opportunity to study Spanish, German and Chinese as a foreign language and students can take the IB and Cambridge exams.
Address: Domaine de Massane, 34670 Baillargues
Click here for more information.
8. Bordeaux
Assomption Sainte Clotilde Bordeaux
Located in the heart of Bordeaux, this primary and secondary school has a British section and offers the option to study in Spanish as well.
Address: 370 Boulevard du Président Wilson, 33073 Bordeaux
Click here for more information.
Bordeaux International School (BIS)
This private international school offers a bilingual education from nursery to secondary school.
Lessons are taught half in French and half in English. There is the option to take IGCSEs and A levels.
Address: 252 rue Judaïque, 33000 Bordeaux
Click here for more information.
Want to see more? Read our article: Top 5 Bilingual and International Schools in Bordeaux
9. Lille
Lycée international Montebello
This state school has English, Italian and Spanish sections and teaches nine different languages. It has partner schools in six countries across the world and offers lots of school trips abroad.
Address: 196, Boulevard Montebello BP 80, 59006 Lille
Click here for more information.
Ecole Jeannine Manuel
This prestigious private school provides students with a bilingual education and offers Chinese, Spanish, Italian and German classes as well. Students have the option to take the IB and the American High School Diploma.
Address: 418 Rue Albert Bailly, 59700
Click here for more information.
10. Paris
Most of France’s international schools are located in Paris and its suburbs. For a more detailed explanation, be sure to read our article on international and bilingual schools in Paris here. As well as private international schools, there are also lots of state schools with international sections available, which is another great option for expats. For more information about the different types of schools for expats, read our guide here.
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So as you can see there is a wide range of international schools available in France, both private and state. International schools are a great option for expat families for who want to ensure their children have a smooth transition into their new life in France.
