The Lycee international de Saint-Germain-en-Laye is a state school in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, west of Paris in the Yvelines, founded in 1952. It is unusual because it combines the French national curriculum with more than a dozen national sections, each delivering language, literature and history in another language, leading to the international option of the French baccalaureate. That structure makes it one of the most distinctive routes in the wider Paris international schools landscape, blending a French state education with a strong second language and culture.
This profile gives the overview: how the sections fit together, the cost picture and admissions. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so what follows is an editorial reference rather than a prospectus. The school also has dedicated section profiles on this site, including the American Section and the German Section, which cover those routes in more detail.
Lycee international Saint-Germain at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | French national curriculum with national sections, leading to the international option of the French baccalaureate |
|---|---|
| Stage range | Primary to secondary (ages roughly 6 to 18) |
| Founded | 1952 |
| Accreditation | French state school hosting recognised national sections |
| Fee band | State school: core programme publicly funded; each national section charges a separate fee (see Paris fees guide for context) |
| Campus area | Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Yvelines, west of Paris |
Curriculum and academics
The Lycee international de Saint-Germain-en-Laye teaches the French national curriculum, but students also join one of its national sections, where part of the week is taught in another language by that section staff. The structure leads to the international option of the French baccalaureate rather than the IB Diploma, which is an important distinction for families comparing routes. The result is a bilingual education within the French state system, strong in both French and the section language. Families weighing this against other systems can read our guide to French curriculum schools for how the baccalaureate works.
The seeding row tagged this profile against the IB, but our research confirms the school prepares students for the international option of the French baccalaureate within national sections, not the IB Diploma. We have set the profile accordingly and pointed families to the French curriculum pillar, and we recommend confirming the current programme and section options directly with the school.
Not sure the Lycee international is the right fit?
Tell us your child's age, languages and curriculum goals and we will shortlist schools across Paris that match, free and independent.
Lycee international Saint-Germain fees
As a French state school, the lycee does not charge the premium tuition that the private international schools in our Paris school fees guide command for the core French programme. The distinctive cost here is the national section: each section is run by an association that charges its own annual fee to cover the extra language, literature and history teaching, which sits well below private international school tuition but is a real cost to plan for.
Budget for the section fee that applies to your chosen route, plus the usual incidental costs of French state schooling such as materials, meals and any transport to Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Because section fees are set independently, confirm the current figure with the relevant section rather than assuming a single school wide rate.
Admissions and intake
Admission combines the rules of the French state system with an assessment of the language level needed for a national section. Entry to a section typically requires evidence that a child can follow teaching in that language, so the process is more involved than a standard state school placement. Families should contact the school and the relevant section early to understand eligibility and any catchment rules.
Applicants are usually assessed on prior school records and a language evaluation for the chosen section. The school year follows the French calendar from September, with the main intake points at the start of each phase. Confirm the current admissions route and section requirements directly with the school.
Location and who goes there
The school is in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, a historic town in the Yvelines on the western edge of the Paris region, served by the RER into the centre. Its community is a mix of French families and international households drawn by the national sections, many of them settled in the western suburbs near the school. The setting suits families who want a bilingual state education and are happy to base themselves in the western reaches of the region.
For the wider picture of how French, IB, British, American and German schools sit across the city and its suburbs, including fee tiers and neighbourhoods, see the Paris schools hub.
Lycee international Saint-Germain reviews
No verified parent reviews of the Lycee international de Saint-Germain-en-Laye 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 the school, please consider sharing your experience through our school reviews page to help other relocating families.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Lycee international Saint-Germain fees?
The core French programme is publicly funded as a state school. The distinctive cost is the national section fee, charged annually by each section association to cover the extra teaching. This sits well below private international school tuition. Confirm the current figure with the relevant section.
Is Lycee international Saint-Germain a good school?
It is an established state school founded in 1952 with more than a dozen national sections leading to the international option of the baccalaureate. Suitability depends on whether a bilingual French route and a western suburbs location fit your family. Confirm current findings with the school.
What curriculum does Lycee international Saint-Germain follow?
The school teaches the French national curriculum alongside national sections, leading to the international option of the French baccalaureate rather than the IB Diploma. Each section adds language, literature and history in another language.
When do Lycee international Saint-Germain applications open?
The school follows the French calendar from September. Entry combines state system rules with a language assessment for the chosen section, so contact the school and the section early to understand eligibility and deadlines.
Where is Lycee international Saint-Germain located?
The school is in Saint-Germain-en-Laye in the Yvelines, on the western edge of the Paris region, served by the RER into the centre.
