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The nursery and preschool fee range in Paris
French children enter maternelle (petite, moyenne and grande section, ages three to five) as the universal first stage, and schooling is compulsory from age three. Expat families choose between the state maternelle, which is free but French-medium, and fee-paying international or bilingual schools. At private bilingual schools, early-years tuition broadly tracks the school's wider tier: roughly USD 12,000 to USD 19,500 at the mid tier, USD 19,500 to USD 30,500 upper-mid, and USD 30,500 to USD 41,500 at premium English-medium schools such as the American School of Paris, the British School of Paris and the International School of Paris.
The lycee international route, with subsidised state tuition plus an international-section contribution, sits far lower at roughly USD 1,650 to USD 4,900. For the whole-school context see our Paris international school fees guide.
2026 nursery and preschool fee table by tier
The bands below are early-years tuition tied to our Paris international school fees analysis. Nursery and preschool tuition sits at or modestly below each school's primary band; full-day places at premium schools track close to primary fees, while half-day and community programmes sit lower. Treat figures as bands. exact fees vary by school and by session length.
| Tier | Annual nursery and preschool tuition (EUR) | Annual nursery and preschool tuition (USD) | Example schools (illustrative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium | EUR 28,000 - 38,000 | USD 30,500 - 41,500 | American School of Paris, British School of Paris, ISP (maternelle) |
| Upper-mid | EUR 18,000 - 28,000 | USD 19,500 - 30,500 | EAB Bilingue, Marymount, Eurecole (early years) |
| Mid | EUR 11,000 - 18,000 | USD 12,000 - 19,500 | Smaller bilingual maternelles, international sections |
| Lycee international | EUR 1,500 - 4,500 | USD 1,650 - 4,900 | State international sections (contribution only) |
Named schools are illustrative of each tier and do not imply a published nursery fee. Always confirm current figures with the school.
What drives the cost
Three factors shape Paris early-years fees. First, medium of instruction: full English-medium maternelle at an American or British school sits at the top, bilingual French-English in the middle, and the state-funded lycee international route at the bottom. Second, the school's overall positioning. premium through-schools price the early years to match the brand and the campus. Third, compulsory schooling from age three means demand for places is high, and the most sought-after bilingual maternelles carry waitlists that keep fees firm. The free state maternelle remains the value option for families willing to commit to French immersion.
Hidden costs beyond tuition
Paris schools bill transparently, but extras add roughly 12 to 18 per cent. The largest early-years line items are the one-time inscription or enrolment fee (EUR 1,500 to 3,500), the cantine or school lunch (EUR 1,500 to 2,500 a year and near-compulsory at the international schools), the school bus where offered (EUR 2,000 to 3,500), and materials (EUR 200 to 500). Uniform is uncommon at maternelle level. The lycee international route carries much lower extras, mainly cantine and books with no school-run transport cost.
Compare Paris with other cities
Nursery and preschool tuition is only the entry point. Before you commit, model the full multi-year cost and compare Paris against the other cities on your shortlist with our international school fees comparison tool. You can also size up the wider relocation budget with the relocation cost calculator or narrow your options with the school finder quiz.
Compare Paris nursery and preschool fees side by side
See how Paris stacks up against every other city for the early years, with all-in costs not just headline tuition.
Open the fees comparison toolParis nursery & preschool fees: FAQ
Banded annual tuition runs from roughly USD 12,000 at smaller bilingual maternelles to USD 41,500 at premium English-medium schools. The subsidised lycee international route is far cheaper at roughly USD 1,650 to USD 4,900. Figures are 2026 bands; confirm exact fees with each school.
Yes. France's state maternelle is free and compulsory from age three, but it is French-medium. The lycee international route adds an international-section contribution on top of free state tuition, keeping total cost low for families happy with French immersion.
Expect a one-time inscription fee (EUR 1,500 to 3,500), the cantine or lunch (EUR 1,500 to 2,500), and a school bus where offered (EUR 2,000 to 3,500). These add roughly 12 to 18 per cent at the private international schools.
At private bilingual and international schools, maternelle tuition usually sits at or just below the school's primary fees, so the difference is small. The real saving comes from choosing the state maternelle or a lycee international section rather than a premium English-medium school.