Living in Levallois-Perret, Paris: schools & expat family guide

Who lives in Levallois-Perret

Levallois-Perret sits in the Hauts-de-Seine department just beyond the Paris ring road, one of the most densely populated communes in Europe yet known for being well kept, leafy in places and family friendly. It has reinvented itself over recent decades from an industrial town into a sought after residential and business address, home to corporate headquarters as well as a large population of professionals and families. The mix of residents is affluent and international: French households who want a quieter alternative to the inner arrondissements, and a steady expatriate community drawn by the proximity to La Defense, the western bilingual schools and the green western suburbs. The town feels like a natural extension of the smart 17th arrondissement next door, with elegant apartment buildings, a busy high street and a strong sense of local community. To see how it fits into the wider city, start with our international schools in Paris directory.

Schools in and near Levallois-Perret

For expatriate families, Levallois-Perret's value lies in its position within the western Paris bilingual cluster. The town itself has bilingual Montessori settings that teach in English and French from the early years, and the immediately neighbouring communes of Neuilly-sur-Seine and Courbevoie, on the doorstep of La Defense, add further bilingual primaries and international options. Families who want a full English medium or British curriculum education also look west to the British School of Paris, the long established school serving the western suburbs, while the city's other major international schools and the famed Lycee International at Saint-Germain-en-Laye are reachable on the regional rail network. This makes Levallois a sensible base from which to keep several school options within range rather than a single campus on the doorstep. Because places at the most sought after bilingual and international schools fill early, research and apply in good time. For the full list with curricula, stages and admissions detail, use the Paris schools directory, and to plan the budget for younger years see our guide to primary international school fees in Paris. If you are weighing options, the school finder quiz will shortlist schools, and parent Paris school reviews add first hand detail.

Commute and catchment

France operates residential catchments, the carte scolaire, for state schools, so a local address matters for the public sector, while private bilingual and international schools admit by application rather than by postcode. For expatriate families using those schools, the deciding factor from Levallois-Perret is the commute, and here the town is well placed. It is on Metro line 3 and served by Transilien suburban rail, giving quick journeys into central Paris and to La Defense, with the RER and the wider regional network close by for trips further west. That connectivity means many families manage comfortably without a car, using the Metro and rail for the school run and for commuting parents, though some keep a car for schools out towards Saint-Germain-en-Laye or Croissy. Plan the specific door to door journey to your chosen school, since the right line can make a school several suburbs away entirely workable.

Housing and cost of living

Housing in Levallois-Perret is almost entirely apartment living, from classic Haussmann style buildings to modern blocks, with family sized flats at a premium given how tightly built the commune is. As one of the more desirable inner suburbs, its rents and prices sit close to those of the smart western arrondissements, so it is an expensive choice, though families sometimes find a little more space or a newer building for the money than in the centre of Paris itself. Day to day living costs are in line with the capital, with good markets, shops and restaurants on the high street. When you add private or international school fees and transport to the rent, the overall commitment is considerable, so model the full picture, rent, schooling and the day to day, with our relocation cost calculator, and read the wider relocation guide for visas, healthcare and logistics. Treat any specific rent figure you see as indicative, because the market moves, so verify current asking rents before you budget.

Family life

Daily family life in Levallois-Perret is comfortable and convenient. The town has riverside walks along the Seine and the Ile de la Jatte just across the water in Neuilly, along with local parks such as the Planchette and Bordier gardens that give children green space within a dense urban setting. The high street and covered market cover everyday shopping and dining, healthcare is well provided through local practices and nearby hospitals, and the town runs an active programme of sport, culture and community events. The proximity to La Defense means working parents can be at their desks in minutes, while the green western suburbs and the Bois de Boulogne are close for weekends. The main caveat is density and cost: this is a tightly packed, expensive commune where outdoor space is at a premium, so families who prioritise large gardens may look further west, while those who value a smart, connected and well served base close to Paris tend to settle in happily.

Living in Levallois-Perret: FAQ

Related reading

• International schools in Paris: the directory
• Primary international school fees in Paris
• Living in Boulogne-Billancourt, Paris
• The Paris relocation guide