Living in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Paris: schools & expat family guide

Who lives in Saint-Germain-en-Laye

Saint-Germain-en-Laye is an affluent, historic town in the western suburbs of Paris, set around its royal chateau, the vast Foret de Saint-Germain and the famous terrace overlooking the Seine valley. It has long been a magnet for internationally mobile families, in large part because of the international sections at the Lycee International, which draw households from across the English speaking and wider expat world. The character is greener and more spacious than central Paris, with houses and gardens alongside apartments, a lively town centre and a strong sense of community. Families settle here for the combination of schooling, space and a direct rail link to Paris and the La Defense business district. The trade-off, which shapes the commute decision below, is that this is suburban living at the western end of the network rather than a central Paris address. To see how the western suburbs fit into the wider region, start with our international schools in Paris directory.

Schools in and near Saint-Germain-en-Laye

The reason many families choose the town is the Lycee International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, a French state school that hosts a number of international sections. Pupils follow the French curriculum while taking language and literature in their section, with British and American sections among those taught in English, and students can work towards French national qualifications with an international option. The fee-paying sections are run by separate associations rather than by the state, so families apply to both the school and the section. For an alternative, the British School of Paris in nearby Croissy-sur-Seine offers a full English language education from the early years to senior school, giving families a choice between an immersive French route with an international section and a wholly English curriculum. Treat these as the main options families in the area use rather than a ranking, and confirm current sections, fees and admissions directly with each school.

For the full list with curricula, stages and admissions detail, use the Paris schools directory, then narrow by stage with our guide to primary schools in Paris. To plan the budget, see our banded Paris primary school fees guide, and read Paris school reviews from parents for first hand perspectives. If you are weighing the French international section route against a fully English school, the school finder quiz will help shortlist options based on your child’s needs.

Commute and catchment

The French state system admits to local schools largely by catchment, the carte scolaire, but entry to the international sections at the Lycee International is by application and assessment regardless of where you live, as is admission to the British School of Paris. For commuting, Saint-Germain-en-Laye sits at the western terminus of the RER A line, which gives a direct rail link to La Defense and central Paris, and the town centre around the station is walkable. Many families manage without a car for the commute, using the RER and local buses, while a car helps for the school run, for reaching Croissy-sur-Seine and for trips into the surrounding region. Plan journeys around the morning peaks on the RER A, and weigh travel time when you compare schools across the region.

Housing and cost of living

Housing in Saint-Germain-en-Laye spans elegant townhouses, family homes with gardens and apartments in and around the historic centre, and the town sits among the more sought after addresses in the western suburbs. Demand from families chasing the international sections keeps prices and rents firm, so households typically pay a premium here compared with less established suburbs. The state Lycee International itself is part of the public system, while the fee-paying international sections and any private school such as the British School of Paris add to the budget. When you add daily costs, the area is a meaningful family budget, so model the full picture with our relocation cost calculator, and read the wider Paris relocation guide for visas, healthcare and the practicalities of settling in. Treat any specific figure you see as indicative, since the market moves, and verify current prices before you budget.

Family life

Daily life in Saint-Germain-en-Laye is built around green space and history. The royal chateau and its gardens, the long terrace above the Seine and the vast forest give families room to walk, cycle and play, while the pedestrian town centre offers a lively market, cafes, shops and cultural life. The town is safe, well served by healthcare and everyday amenities, and home to an established international community that makes settling in easier for newcomers. Weekends can mix forest walks and the chateau with day trips into Paris on the RER, and the surrounding western suburbs add further parks and riverside towns. The blend of space, schools and quick access to the capital is exactly what has made Saint-Germain-en-Laye a favourite of expat families for decades.

Living in Saint-Germain-en-Laye: FAQ

Related reading

• International schools in Paris: the directory
• Primary schools in Paris
• Paris primary school fees
• Paris school reviews from parents
• The Paris relocation guide