Paris is one of the world capitals of bilingual education. From internationally-recognised French-English programmes to schools offering the French Baccalauréat alongside the International Baccalaureate, the options for expat families in 2026 are broader than anywhere else in continental Europe.
This guide explains how bilingual international schools in Paris actually work, which curricula they offer, what differentiates the top schools, and what you should budget and expect during admissions.
Three types of bilingual schools in Paris
French-International bilingual schools teach roughly 50 percent in French and 50 percent in English. Students graduate with native-level command of both languages and can choose between the French Baccalauréat, the OIB (Option Internationale du Baccalauréat), or the International Baccalaureate Diploma.
Anglo-American schools with French integration are schools where English is the primary language of instruction but where French is taught daily as a subject and often integrated across the day. These tend to serve mobile expat families planning a short to medium-term stay.
Schools of the French network abroad with bilingual streams are traditional French schools that have added bilingual sections, typically French-English but also French-Spanish or French-German in Paris.
The OIB: the flagship French bilingual credential
The OIB (Option Internationale du Baccalauréat) is a uniquely French qualification that builds international subjects (English language, history, geography) into the standard French Baccalauréat. Students graduate with a dual-validated credential recognised by both French universities and Anglo-Saxon universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Ivy League schools and top US liberal arts colleges.
The OIB is particularly valuable for families who want their children to keep university options open across both the Francophone and Anglophone worlds. In 2022 the OIB was renamed BFI (Baccalauréat Français International) but many schools still use OIB in their programme descriptions.
Top bilingual international schools in Paris
École Jeannine Manuel
École Jeannine Manuel is the reference bilingual school in Paris, founded in 1954 with a mission of international understanding through bilingual education. From Maternelle to Terminale, students learn in both French and English, with Chinese, Spanish and German added in later years. The school offers both the French Bac and the IB Diploma, and achieves consistently high university placement rates at top French Grandes Écoles and Anglophone institutions.
ICS Paris
ICS Paris (International School of Paris) delivers the full IB continuum (PYP, MYP and DP) entirely in English, with daily French language instruction from age 3. It is the flagship IB school in the capital and its bilingual learners consistently reach CEFR C1 or higher in French by graduation. ICS Paris attracts mobile families who value a globally portable qualification without sacrificing fluency in French.
What makes a strong bilingual school
- Genuine language exposure. Ideally 40 to 60 percent of instruction in each language, not just language classes on top of an English-only programme.
- Qualified native-speaker teachers in both languages. Ask about recruitment and retention.
- Dual credential pathways. The best schools allow a choice between French Bac, OIB/BFI and IB Diploma, giving students flexibility in university applications.
- Integration into French culture. Trips, literature, history and civics taught in a French context, not as a foreign curriculum.
- Manageable class sizes. Effective bilingual teaching works best in classes of 18 to 22 students.
Bilingual school fees in Paris for 2026
Paris is mid-priced in the European bilingual market: more affordable than London or Zurich, more expensive than Madrid or Lisbon. Typical annual tuition ranges:
- Maternelle (ages 3 to 5): 10,000 to 18,000 euros
- Primaire (ages 6 to 10): 14,000 to 24,000 euros
- Collège (ages 11 to 14): 17,000 to 28,000 euros
- Lycée and IB Diploma (ages 15 to 18): 22,000 to 34,000 euros
Add 5 to 12 percent for application, registration, capital levies, uniforms and canteen. Some schools offer sibling discounts of 5 to 10 percent from the second child.
Admissions timeline and key dates
- December to January: Open houses and early applications for September entry.
- February to March: Assessments, interviews and entrance tests (mainly from Primary 3 onwards).
- April to May: Offers sent and deposits due.
- June: Enrolment forms, uniforms and extracurricular selection.
Paris bilingual schools are oversubscribed for most year groups. Apply at least nine months before your desired start date and prepare to join a waitlist for Collège and Lycée entry points.
Language assessment at admissions
Most Paris bilingual schools do not require prior French fluency for Maternelle and Primaire entry. French immersion support is provided in the early years. From Collège onwards (Year 7), a French language assessment is typically part of admissions. Students who do not meet the threshold are redirected to Anglo-American schools with French as a foreign language, or to an intensive French as a Second Language (FSL) track at the bilingual school.
Living in Paris: which districts for which schools
- 7th, 16th and Neuilly-sur-Seine: Proximity to École Jeannine Manuel and ICS Paris. Premium residential but well connected by metro.
- 15th and 14th: Good value with access to both bilingual and French-network schools.
- Saint-Germain-en-Laye and Western suburbs: For families wanting space and the American School of Paris nearby.
Compare all international schools in France
For the full verified ranking of international and bilingual schools in France, including curricula, fees and parent reviews, see the ISA ranking of top international schools in France.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the OIB and the IB in Paris bilingual schools?
The OIB (now BFI) is a French Baccalauréat with international subjects integrated in English, recognised by French universities. The IB Diploma is a standalone international qualification delivered entirely in English, recognised globally but processed as a foreign diploma in France.
Do bilingual schools in Paris require French fluency at admission?
Not for early years. Maternelle and Primary intakes welcome non-French speakers with immersion support. From Year 7 onwards, a French language assessment is usually part of admissions.
How much do bilingual international schools cost in Paris?
Annual tuition ranges from 10,000 euros for Maternelle to 34,000 euros for Lycée and IB Diploma. Expect 5 to 12 percent additional for registration, uniforms, canteen and trips.