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The primary fee range in Paris
Paris splits into two very different markets at primary level. The private international schools, such as the American School of Paris, the British School of Paris and the International School of Paris, charge EUR 11,000 to EUR 38,000 a year depending on tier, with the bulk of expat families paying EUR 18,000 to EUR 28,000. Alongside them sit the state lycee international sections, which deliver a bilingual French curriculum for only EUR 1,500 to EUR 4,500 a year for the section. Primary tuition at the private schools typically sits a little below the same school's secondary fees. For the full whole-school context see our Paris international school fees guide.
2026 primary fee table by tier
The bands below are tied to our Paris international school fees analysis. They show each school's overall annual tuition band; at primary level fees sit toward the lower end of each band, with secondary higher. Treat the figures as bands. exact fees vary by school and year group.
| Tier | Annual tuition (EUR) | Annual tuition (USD) | Example schools (illustrative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium | EUR 28,000 - 38,000 | USD 30,500 - 41,500 | American School of Paris, British School of Paris, International School of Paris |
| Upper-mid | EUR 18,000 - 28,000 | USD 19,500 - 30,500 | EAB Bilingue, Marymount, Notre Dame International |
| Mid | EUR 11,000 - 18,000 | USD 12,000 - 19,500 | Smaller bilingual privates, religious-foundation international sections |
| Lycee international section | EUR 1,500 - 4,500 | USD 1,650 - 4,900 | Lycee International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Lycee Honore de Balzac |
Named schools are illustrative of each tier and do not imply a published primary fee. Always confirm current figures with the school.
Inscription, cantine, bus and other primary costs
Paris schools charge transparently, but extras add 12 to 18 per cent to the headline fee. The bands below are 2026 figures from our Paris fees analysis.
| Cost item | Typical band (EUR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Inscription (one-time enrolment) | EUR 1,500 - 3,500 | One-off on joining |
| Cantine (school lunch) | EUR 1,500 - 2,500 | Per year. near-compulsory at the international schools |
| School bus (where offered) | EUR 2,000 - 3,500 | Per year. not all schools run one |
| Uniform (where required) | EUR 400 - 900 | Many Paris schools have no uniform |
| Books and materials | EUR 200 - 500 | Per year |
Most Paris international schools offer a 5 to 10 per cent sibling discount, and some larger groups offer 15 per cent on a third child. The lycee international sections have much lower extras, mainly cantine and books, and no school-cost transport.
What drives the cost
Three things move Paris primary fees. First, the split between the private international schools and the state lycee international route: choosing the latter changes the cost picture entirely, trading a competitive admission and a stronger French-language demand for a nominal fee. Second, the cantine and inscription, which are near-unavoidable at the private schools and push the all-in figure above headline tuition. Third, fee inflation: Paris fees rose around 4.5 per cent on average in 2025-26, ahead of French CPI, with premium schools tracking 4.5 to 5.5 per cent, while the lycee international increases are minimal because they are state-controlled.
Hidden costs beyond tuition
Beyond tuition, the private international schools add 12 to 18 per cent for the early years. The largest line items at primary are the cantine, the one-time inscription, bus where offered and books. The lycee international sections are the clear exception, with much lower extras and no transport charged at school cost. Families paid in pounds or dollars also carry currency risk on euro-denominated fees, so budget a margin for exchange-rate movement across a multi-year placement.
Compare Paris with other cities
Primary 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 primary fees side by side
See how Paris stacks up against every other city for primary, with all-in costs not just headline tuition.
Open the fees comparison toolParis primary fees: FAQ
Banded annual primary tuition at the private international schools runs from roughly EUR 11,000 (USD 12,000) at the mid tier to EUR 38,000 (USD 41,500) at the premium end, with most families paying EUR 18,000 to EUR 28,000 a year. The state lycee international sections are far cheaper, charging only EUR 1,500 to EUR 4,500 for the international section. Figures are 2026 bands.
Several state lycees, including Lycee International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye and Lycee Honore de Balzac, run bilingual international sections that deliver the French curriculum alongside a national-language stream in English, Spanish, German and others. Tuition is minimal, roughly EUR 1,500 to EUR 4,500 a year for the section on top of an otherwise free state placement, and academic outcomes are strong. Admission is competitive but open to international families.
Yes, modestly. At the private international schools primary tuition sits at the lower end of each school's band, with secondary fees rising into the upper end and exam-year costs adding more later. At the lycee international sections fees stay nominal across stages.
Beyond tuition, expect a one-time inscription (EUR 1,500 to 3,500), the cantine school lunch (EUR 1,500 to 2,500 and near-compulsory), bus where offered (EUR 2,000 to 3,500), and books (EUR 200 to 500). Extras add roughly 12 to 18 per cent on top of tuition; the lycee international has much lower extras.