Relocating to Paris with children can be an exciting yet challenging experience, especially when it comes to finding the right school. Many international families seek bilingual schools that cater to non-French-speaking children, ensuring a smooth academic transition while integrating into French culture.
Paris is home to several prestigious bilingual schools that offer strong academic programmes alongside dedicated French as a Foreign Language (Français Langue Étrangère, FLE) support. Whether you are looking for a public, private, or international school, this guide will help you navigate the best bilingual options for your child in Paris.
Top Bilingual Schools in Paris
École Jeannine Manuel (Paris 15ème)
One of the most well-known bilingual schools in Paris, École Jeannine Manuel is a highly selective private school that operates under the French Ministry of Education. It is academically rigorous, with a demanding curriculum and a bilingual environment. While the school provides an adaptation programme in French for non-French-speaking students, it is best suited for highly motivated learners.
- Ages: 3-18 years
- Number of Pupils: Approx. 500
- Curriculum: French Baccalaureate, International Baccalaureate (IB), and High School Diploma (US)
- Special Features: A wide array of extracurricular options, including coding, parkour, chess, robotics, and pottery.
- Admissions: Admissions at Jeannine Manuel School open the year before entry and operate on a rolling basis, with families contacted for an interview after submitting their application and required to attend a school presentation.
- Website: École Jeannine Manuel
Lycée International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Considered one of the best state/public schools in France, Lycée International offers 14 international sections, including British and American. The school is highly selective, with a strong emphasis on multilingualism. Children in this programme typically speak three or more languages, making it an excellent choice for globally minded families.
- Ages: 3-18 years
- Number of pupils: Approx 2,200 – 550 students in the maternelle and primary levels (ages 3 to 11), around 650 students in collège (ages 11 to 15), and roughly 1,000 students in the lycée (ages 15 to 18).
- Curriculum: French curriculum with international sections (British, American, and others)
- Special Features: Large campus, extensive extracurricular activities, and an immersive bilingual programme
- French Support: “Français Spécial” programme for non-French speakers, including an intensive one-year course in French before integration into mainstream classes
- Admissions: Applications close in December; results are announced in May
- Website: British Section | American Section
BISP – Bilingual International School of Paris (Paris 15ème)
A fully bilingual private school offering a 50/50 English French curriculum, BISP welcomes a diverse mix of international and bicultural families. It provides a special program for non-French speakers and is often a stepping stone for families aiming to transfer to other elite bilingual schools in Paris. Their Wednesday Club provides weekly English immersion sessions featuring arts and crafts, music, drama, science experiments, and storytelling
- Ages: 3-18 years
- Curriculum: IGCSE, IB, A-Levels, and SAT
- Special Features: Strong academic foundation, city school environment, and after-school activities. Class sizes are capped at 12-14.
- Website: Bilingual International School of Paris
L’Ermitage (Maisons-Laffitte)
Set in a beautiful green area of France’s capital, L’Ermitage offers a strong bilingual education with a close-knit, family-friendly environment. The school places a strong emphasis on sports and extracurricular activities, including horse riding. It has both bilingual and anglophone sections, making it an excellent option for international families.
- Ages: 3-18 years
- Number of pupils: Approx 1,500 pupils
- Curriculum: French and international baccalaureate options. The IB provides a well-rounded schedule with rigorous academics in English, complemented by comprehensive French classes tailored for all proficiency levels, from beginners to native speakers.
- Special Features: Spacious campus, school uniforms, and sports-focused environment
- Admissions: Early application is recommended; decisions are made by January
- Website: L’Ermitage
Concordia Bilingual School (Paris 16ème)
A relatively new school founded in 2019, Concordia offers a British-French bilingual curriculum. The school follows an innovative approach to learning, with small class sizes and a tailored education experience.
- Ages: 3-15 years
- Number of pupils: Concordia School Paris currently enrols approximately 150 students representing 20 different nationalities. The school’s Cimarosa campus has been recently renovated to accommodate nearly 300 students, showing capacity for future growth.
- Admissions: The application process starts with a pre-enrolment form, followed by a parent meeting to discuss the school’s approach and the child’s background. Children’s assessments include interviews for younger students and Maths, English, and French tests for older applicants, usually scheduled in December, February, and March.
- Curriculum: Concordia educates its students for the French Brevet des Collèges (international option) and the French Baccalaureate, with instruction time divided approximately 55% in French and 45% in English.
- French Support: Dedicated French as a Foreign Language programme (€2,800 per year)
- Website: Concordia School Paris
Lennen Bilingual School (Paris 7ème)
Founded in 1964 by an American educator, Lennen Bilingual School offers a balanced bilingual education with a mix of academic, artistic, and sports activities. The school provides a warm and nurturing environment in a spacious and vibrantly refurbished space, making it an ideal choice for younger children. It is an innovative school with a good balance between academics with artistic and physical activities.
- Ages: 3-15 years
- Curriculum: French Education Nationale programme and the American Core Curriculum. 50/50 French & English teaching
- Admissions: Rolling admissions basis
- Special Features: Focus on individualized learning, spacious premises, strong arts and sports programmes
- Website: Lennen Bilingual School
Choosing the Right Bilingual School in Paris
When selecting a bilingual school in Paris, families should consider the following:
- Admissions Process & Deadlines: Many of these schools are highly selective and have long waiting lists. Applying to multiple schools is advisable.
- Academic Rigor: Schools like École Jeannine Manuel and Lycée International are highly focused on the academic side, while others, like Concordia or Lennen, focus on a balanced educational approach.
- French Support: For non-French-speaking children, dedicated FLE programmes are crucial. Schools like Lycée International and BISP offer structured language support for non-French speaking children.
- Location & Campus Environment: Consider whether a city school (e.g., Concordia, BISP) or a spacious campus (such as L’Ermitage) suits your child’s learning style.
- Extracurricular Activities: Some schools focus purely on academics, while others provide a broad range of after-school activities and sports programmes.
Final Thoughts
Paris offers an excellent selection of bilingual schools for international families, each with unique strengths. Whether you’re looking for a highly academic institution like Lycée International or a nurturing bilingual environment like Lennen School, there is an option for every family.
Navigating the French education system and securing a place in a top bilingual school can be a complex and highly competitive process. With years of expertise in international school placements, Lumos Education’s Paris school consultants provide personalised guidance to ensure your child finds the perfect school that meets their academic, linguistic, and personal development needs.
Whether you need help understanding admissions processes, securing a spot at a selective institution, or finding the best fit for your child’s unique strengths, please contact us for personalised support.
