The Paris school landscape
Paris's international school market has three layers. Sections Internationales within free or low-fee French public lycées (Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Sèvres, Honoré de Balzac) deliver a bilingual French-international Option Internationale du Baccalauréat (OIB) and are highly competitive. Private bilingual schools (École Jeannine Manuel, EIB, Lennen, Marymount) charge $14K-$28K and offer French Bac with strong English. Pure international schools (International School of Paris, British School of Paris, American School of Paris) charge $30K-$45K and follow IB, British or American curriculum.
Most expat families with multi-year postings choose the bilingual route for genuine French integration. Globally mobile families on shorter postings tend to choose ISP, BSP or ASP. Sections Internationales are the best value but admissions are highly selective and require French language readiness.
Bilingual French school or pure international?
The choice depends on your time horizon and your child's French level. Our guide explains every option, fee, and admissions process.
Most popular neighbourhoods for families
16e (Passy, Auteuil) and 17e (Monceau) are the heart of expat family Paris with EIB Victor Hugo, Lennen and Lycée Janson de Sailly nearby. 7e (Faubourg Saint-Germain) appeals to diplomatic families. Saint-Germain-en-Laye (RER A, 30 min) hosts the famed Lycée International with seven Sections Internationales. Neuilly-sur-Seine hosts the British School of Paris and is the premium expat suburb. Sèvres hosts another OIB lycée. Read our neighbourhood guide to living in Le Marais with international schools. For a spacious, green royal town near the western suburb international schools, see our guide to living in Versailles with international schools.
