The primary landscape in Paris
The international primary market in Paris is wider than newcomers expect, because the city has both full foreign-curriculum primaries and an exceptionally deep bilingual primary sector. Around 25 schools deliver a recognisable international primary, and they fall into four groups. The first group is the full international primaries that work entirely in English with French as a modern language: the International School of Paris in the 16th, the British School of Paris in Croissy-sur-Seine and the American School of Paris in Saint-Cloud. The second group is the bilingual primaries that work in both languages with structured streaming: EIB Monceau, EIB Etoile, EIB Lamartine, Ecole Jeannine Manuel and EaB. The third is the Lycee International primary in Yvelines, with state funding and 14 language sections. The fourth is the bilingual Montessori primary cluster.
For families relocating mid-primary, the most important variable is the curriculum continuity question. A child arriving from London at Year 4 with three years of the English national curriculum will slot into the British School of Paris or the IB PYP at the International School of Paris with minimal friction. The same child entering EIB or Jeannine Manuel at CE2 will face a steeper French ramp-up but emerge with a stronger bilingual profile by college. Plan the curriculum decision against the likely posting length and the family's next destination.
Class sizes in international Paris primaries cluster between 18 and 22 per class, which is meaningfully smaller than the typical 28 to 30 in the state ecole elementaire. The structural advantage is most visible in writing volume, individual conferencing and project work.
Fees and what they cover
Primary fees in Paris range widely. The bilingual independents sit at EUR 14,000 to EUR 22,000 a year, with the senior bilinguals (Jeannine Manuel, EIB) at the top of the range. The full international primaries are higher: the International School of Paris EUR 26,000 to EUR 30,000, the British School of Paris EUR 24,000 to EUR 28,000, and the American School of Paris EUR 27,000 to EUR 32,000. The Lycee International primary is EUR 6,000 to EUR 12,000 depending on the language section. Lunch, after-school activities, school bus and a one-off enrolment fee of EUR 2,000 to EUR 5,000 sit on top. See our Paris fees guide for verified comparisons.
Choosing between bilingual and full international primary?
Take our 5 minute school finder quiz. We shortlist three Paris primaries based on your child's age, the curriculum you want to continue or transition into and your home area.
Illustrative example primaries
The five primaries below illustrate the international landscape in Paris. They are not ranked.
International School of Paris primary in the 16th arrondissement delivers the IB PYP entirely in English with French as a modern language. Small class sizes, integrated specialist teachers and a strong onward route to the linked Middle and Senior School.
British School of Paris primary in Croissy-sur-Seine in Yvelines runs the English national curriculum to Year 6, with families commuting from the western suburbs and the 16th and 17th by school bus.
Ecole Active Bilingue Jeannine Manuel primary in the 15th is the largest bilingual primary by enrolment and feeds directly into the linked college and lycee.
EIB Monceau and EIB Etoile primary across the 8th and 17th together form the central Paris bilingual cluster with strong sibling continuity.
Lennen Bilingual School in the 7th arrondissement is a small, well-established bilingual primary close to the diplomatic corridor.
Where primary families live
The choice of school usually shapes the choice of neighbourhood. The 16th and 17th house the central international and bilingual cluster, with the International School of Paris, EIB Etoile and EIB Lamartine within easy walk. The 7th and 8th anchor the diplomatic and corporate families using Lennen, EIB Monceau and the Lycee International commuter route. The 15th carries Ecole Jeannine Manuel and a deep bilingual primary spread. Croissy-sur-Seine, Le Vesinet and Saint-Germain-en-Laye in Yvelines suit families targeting the British School of Paris or the Lycee International. Saint-Cloud, Marnes-la-Coquette and Vaucresson sit on the American School of Paris bus network. Boulogne-Billancourt and Neuilly-sur-Seine combine western corporate commute with a wide spread of primary options.
Admissions calendar
Primary admissions calendars in Paris are stricter than in many international markets. Most full international primaries close registration files between December and March, with assessment in February and April and offers in April and May. Bilingual primaries close files between October and February. The Lycee International runs sectional assessment from October to January depending on the language section. Mid-year entry is possible at the full international primaries, where rolling admissions are common at all year groups, but rare at the bilingual schools beyond CP and CE1.
Picking the feeder into college
Most international Paris primaries are all-through schools or feed clearly into a linked college. The most common transitions in Paris are: International School of Paris primary into IB MYP and Diploma; British School of Paris primary into the Senior School and A Levels; American School of Paris primary into Middle School and High School Diploma plus AP; bilingual primary into the linked French Bac and IB Diploma. For onward routes see our Paris secondary schools hub, British curriculum hub or American curriculum hub.
Frequently asked questions
How many international primary schools are there in Paris?
Greater Paris has around 25 schools delivering a recognisable international primary programme, including bilingual French and English primaries, full British and American primaries, the IB PYP at the International School of Paris and Ecole Jeannine Manuel, and a smaller cluster of Montessori bilingual primaries.
How much does primary school cost in Paris?
International primary fees in Paris run from EUR 8,000 a year at smaller bilingual primaries to EUR 28,000 at the British School of Paris and International School of Paris. Most family budgets land between EUR 14,000 and EUR 20,000 for ages 6 to 11.
When does primary school start in Paris?
French primary, ecole elementaire, runs from age 6 to age 11, with five years: CP, CE1, CE2, CM1 and CM2. International schools usually align Reception or Year 1 in September after the child's fifth birthday, in line with the British or American calendar. The state system caps at age 6.
Will my child need French to start primary?
It depends on the school. Full international primaries (International School of Paris, British School of Paris, American School of Paris) accept children with no French up to Year 6. Bilingual primaries accept non-French speakers up to age 7 with intensive immersion thereafter. State primaries enrol regardless of language with CASNAV support.
Do international primaries feed into specific colleges?
Yes. The British School of Paris, International School of Paris, EIB and Jeannine Manuel are all all-through schools so primary feeds the linked college and lycee. Smaller bilingual primaries lead either to a bilingual college, a state college or, less commonly, the Lycee International section process.
