Paris is one of the world's great cities for bilingual education, and for expat families, choosing between the many excellent bilingual and international schools in Paris is a genuinely exciting — if complex — decision. France's capital has a long tradition of multilingual schooling, and the city is home to some of the most prestigious bilingual institutions anywhere in Europe. Whether you are looking for a French-English programme, a full IB education, or a school that bridges French academic rigour with an international outlook, Paris has options that will serve your child well.
Why Bilingual Education in Paris Is Worth Considering
Paris offers a distinctive choice that few other cities can match: the opportunity to receive a genuinely bilingual education in two of the world's most influential languages — French and English — simultaneously. Research consistently shows that bilingual children develop stronger cognitive flexibility, problem-solving skills, and cultural intelligence than their monolingual peers. In Paris, this is not a marginal offering but a mainstream educational pathway with decades of pedagogical development behind it.
For expat families planning to stay in France for several years, or for families with any French-speaking heritage, a bilingual or French-English international school offers a path that develops deep French language proficiency alongside a strong English-medium curriculum. Children who graduate from Paris bilingual schools typically qualify for both French and international university entry, giving them exceptional flexibility in their higher education choices.
Top Bilingual and International Schools in Paris
École Jeannine Manuel
École Jeannine Manuel is one of the most respected bilingual schools not just in Paris but in the world. Founded in 1954 with a specific mission of promoting international understanding through bilingual French-English education, it has developed a methodology that is widely regarded as one of the most rigorous and effective bilingual programmes available. The school caters to students from Kindergarten through the end of secondary school and offers both the French Baccalauréat and the IB Diploma Programme, allowing students to choose the qualification that best suits their future plans.
École Jeannine Manuel consistently appears in rankings of the best schools in France for academic results, and its alumni include prominent figures in business, diplomacy, arts, and academia. The school has a selective admissions process and is particularly sought after by families who want their children to achieve genuine bilingual fluency — not just functional language skills, but the ability to think, write, and reason in both languages to a native or near-native level. For families serious about bilingual education in Paris, École Jeannine Manuel is the benchmark.
ICS Paris (International Community School)
ICS Paris is a well-established English-medium international school in the 8th arrondissement offering the IB curriculum from Early Years through to the IB Diploma. It is the school of choice for many English-speaking expat families — particularly those from the US, UK, and Northern Europe — who want a curriculum that is clearly aligned with international standards and provides a smooth transition from schools in their home country.
ICS Paris is notable for the quality of its French language instruction: all students from Early Years onwards learn French as part of the curriculum, and the school's location in Paris means that students are immersed in the French language and culture outside the classroom as well. The school has a diverse, welcoming community and is experienced at supporting students who arrive mid-year or with limited English proficiency. Its IB Diploma results are strong, and its college counselling programme has an excellent track record of placing graduates at leading universities internationally.
Other Bilingual Options in Paris
Beyond these two schools, Paris has a broader ecosystem of bilingual and international schooling options. The American School of Paris in Saint-Cloud offers an American curriculum with strong French and global studies. The British School of Paris in Croissy-sur-Seine provides a British curriculum with excellent French instruction. For families seeking a more French-integrated approach, a number of state schools in Paris participate in the sections internationales programme, which integrates English or other language instruction into the standard French national curriculum — an option worth investigating for longer-stay families with older children who have some existing French language skills.
School Fees at Bilingual Schools in Paris
Bilingual education in Paris comes at a premium compared to the French public school system, though fees are broadly comparable to other Western European capitals for international schooling. As a guide for 2025–2026:
- Prestigious bilingual schools (e.g. École Jeannine Manuel): €18,000 – €28,000 per year
- International schools with IB (e.g. ICS Paris): €20,000 – €32,000 per year
- British and American curriculum schools in the Paris region: €15,000 – €28,000 per year
Most schools charge additional fees for registration (typically €1,000–€3,000), school transport, lunch, and extracurricular activities. École Jeannine Manuel has a selective admissions process and a waiting list; families should apply as early as possible, ideally 12–18 months before the intended start date. ICS Paris operates rolling admissions and has more flexibility for mid-year entries.
Practical Tips for Bilingual Schooling in Paris
Paris is a large city with distinct neighbourhoods, and school location matters. Most of the city's English-medium and bilingual international schools are concentrated in the western arrondissements (7th, 8th, 15th, 16th) and in the western suburbs (Saint-Cloud, Croissy-sur-Seine, Saint-Germain-en-Laye). If your workplace is in La Défense or the western part of Paris, choosing accommodation in the 15th or 16th arrondissement typically gives convenient access to the largest concentration of bilingual and international schools.
Admissions documentation in France typically includes the last two years of school reports, a copy of the French livret de famille or foreign equivalent, passport copies, and sometimes proof of address. Schools offering the French Baccalauréat will also assess French language level for students joining at secondary level, as the curriculum demands a high level of written French. It is worth being transparent with schools about your child's current French level — most have robust support structures and are experienced at bringing students up to speed.
For families with very young children (ages 2–5), it is worth knowing that French early childhood education is excellent and widely available. The state maternelle system is free and is internationally regarded as one of the best early years programmes in the world. Some expat families choose to send their very young children to a local maternelle for language acquisition before transitioning to an international school at primary level, and this can be an exceptionally effective approach to achieving genuine French-English bilingualism.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best bilingual school in Paris?
École Jeannine Manuel is widely regarded as the top bilingual French-English school in Paris, with a rigorous programme, excellent academic results, and a globally recognised methodology developed over 70 years. For families primarily seeking an English-medium IB education with strong French instruction, ICS Paris (International Community School) is consistently ranked among the top international schools in the French capital. The right choice depends on your child's language background, age, and your family's longer-term plans.
How much does bilingual schooling in Paris cost?
Annual fees at Paris bilingual and international schools typically range from €18,000 to €32,000 per year depending on the school and year group. Additional costs for registration, transport, lunch, and activities can add €3,000–8,000 per year. Some of the most prestigious schools, including École Jeannine Manuel, have competitive admissions with waiting lists, so early application is essential regardless of budget.
Do children need to speak French to join a bilingual school in Paris?
It depends on the school and the age of the child. For very young children (ages 3–7), most bilingual schools will accept students with no French at all and build the language from scratch — this is actually the ideal age to begin. For secondary-level students, schools vary significantly in their expectations. ICS Paris teaches through English and builds French progressively, while École Jeannine Manuel requires a stronger French base from older students. Always ask each school directly about their EAL and French language support provision before applying.