Lycee Henri-IV is a public secondary school in the 5th arrondissement, in the heart of the Latin Quarter beside the former Abbey of Sainte Genevieve. It is one of the most selective and academically demanding state lycees in France, teaching the French national curriculum to the baccalaureate and running highly competitive classes preparatoires that prepare students for the grandes ecoles. It is a French institution rather than an English medium international school, but relocating families researching the Paris international schools landscape often ask about it, which is why we profile it here.
This profile explains what the school is, how entry works and who it suits. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so what follows is an editorial reference rather than a prospectus. The most important point for international families is that teaching is in French and entry is highly selective, so it fits a particular kind of applicant rather than the general expatriate market.
Lycee Henri-IV at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | French national curriculum to the baccalaureate; classes preparatoires after the lycee |
|---|---|
| Stage range | Secondary, plus post baccalaureate classes preparatoires |
| Founded | Not published; a long established historic Paris lycee |
| Accreditation | French state school under the national education system |
| Fee band | State school: no international tuition (see Paris fees guide for context) |
| Campus area | 5th arrondissement, Latin Quarter |
Curriculum and academics
Lycee Henri-IV teaches the French national curriculum in French, leading to the baccalaureate, and is best known for the classes preparatoires aux grandes ecoles that follow the lycee years. These intensive post baccalaureate courses prepare students for the entrance competitions to France leading engineering, business and humanities schools, and the school competitive reputation rests largely on them. Families weighing the French route against international options can read our guide to French curriculum schools, which explains how the baccalaureate and the grandes ecoles system work.
Because instruction is in French and the academic demands are high, the school suits students who are already fluent in French and academically strong rather than those needing an English medium transition. Internationally mobile families who want an English language programme should treat Henri-IV as a specialised French option rather than a typical international school.
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Lycee Henri-IV fees
As a French state school, Lycee Henri-IV does not charge the premium tuition that the private international schools in our Paris school fees guide command. Public funding means the core secondary programme carries no five figure annual fee, which sets it apart from the fee paying English medium and bilingual schools mapped elsewhere in our coverage.
Plan instead for the ordinary costs of French state schooling: enrolment formalities, books and materials, meals and any trips. The classes preparatoires are also publicly funded. Because the cost model is entirely different from a fee paying international school, the bands used elsewhere in our fees guide do not apply, so confirm current arrangements with the school.
Admissions and intake
Entry to Lycee Henri-IV is selective and based heavily on academic record, which makes it very different from open enrolment international schools. Places, including those for the lycee and the classes preparatoires, are allocated through the relevant national and academic procedures, and demand far outstrips supply. Families considering it should understand the selection process and language expectations well before a move.
Applicants are assessed primarily on prior school results and, for the classes preparatoires, on a competitive national application. The school year follows the French calendar from September. Confirm the current admissions route, deadlines and requirements directly with the school or the relevant education authority.
Location and who goes there
The school sits in the 5th arrondissement in the Latin Quarter, among the universities and bookshops of the historic student district on the Left Bank. Its student body is overwhelmingly French and academically selected rather than drawn from the expatriate community, though families settled long term in central Paris with fluent French speaking children sometimes consider it. Its central location makes it easy to reach by Metro and RER from across the city.
For the wider picture of how French, IB, British, American and bilingual schools sit across the city and its suburbs, including fee tiers and neighbourhoods, see the Paris schools hub.
Lycee Henri-IV reviews
No verified parent reviews of Lycee Henri-IV have been submitted to GlobalSchoolGuide yet. We hold back from publishing a star rating until we have enough verified first hand accounts to represent the school fairly, and we never fabricate ratings. If your family attends or has attended Henri-IV, please consider sharing your experience through our school reviews page to help other families.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Lycee Henri-IV fees?
As a French state school, Henri-IV does not charge the premium tuition that private international schools in Paris command. The secondary programme and the classes preparatoires are publicly funded, so families meet only the usual costs of French state schooling. Confirm current arrangements with the school.
Is Lycee Henri-IV a good school?
Henri-IV is widely regarded as one of the most selective and academically demanding state lycees in France, with prestigious classes preparatoires. Suitability depends on whether a French language, highly competitive route fits your child. Confirm current findings directly with the school.
What curriculum does Lycee Henri-IV follow?
Henri-IV teaches the French national curriculum to the baccalaureate, in French, and runs classes preparatoires for entry to the grandes ecoles, rather than the IB or an English curriculum.
When do Lycee Henri-IV applications open?
The school follows the French calendar from September. Entry is selective and allocated through national and academic procedures, so families should understand the selection process and deadlines well before a move.
Where is Lycee Henri-IV located?
Henri-IV is in the 5th arrondissement in the Latin Quarter on the Left Bank, among the universities of the historic student district, and is easy to reach by Metro and RER.
