Paris has long been one of the best cities in Europe for genuinely bilingual education. With a deep ecosystem of English-French schools, including full-continuum IB schools, bilingual sections within French schools, and international programmes at private establishments, expat families have real choice. This 2026 guide explains the main models and how to pick the one that fits your child.
Bilingual models available in Paris
Three main pathways dominate. The first is the fully private bilingual school, where the week is split roughly 50/50 between English and French, often with separate teachers for each language. The second is the bilingual section within a French school, where most subjects are taught in French and two to three are taught in English. The third is the international section at selective French public or private schools, which follow the French national curriculum with enhanced international content leading to the OIB (Option Internationale du Baccalauréat).
For families who expect to return to an English-speaking system, a fully private bilingual school is usually the smoothest fit. For families committed to France longer term, the OIB path offers excellent access to both French and international universities.
Top bilingual international schools in Paris
Ecole Jeannine Manuel
Ecole Jeannine Manuel is one of the longest established fully bilingual schools in Paris, with English-French instruction from kindergarten through to IB Diploma and French Baccalaureate.
American School of Paris
American School of Paris (ASP) offers a US curriculum with Advanced Placement, combined with strong French language and culture programmes. It is a consistent choice for US-aligned families living in the western suburbs.
Lennen Bilingual School
Lennen Bilingual School runs an English-French bilingual programme from pre-K through primary, with a small and family-oriented feel in the 15th arrondissement.
ICS Paris
ICS Paris is an IB World School offering PYP, MYP and DP with instruction predominantly in English and reinforced French language support.
Lab School Paris
Lab School Paris blends bilingual English-French teaching with a project-based and research-led pedagogy, appealing to families drawn to alternative but academically rigorous models.
What bilingual fluency actually takes
Genuine bilingualism is a long commitment. Children typically need several thousand hours of target-language exposure before operating fluently, and consistency matters more than intensity. Switching models mid-primary is usually disruptive, so it pays to pick a school your family can stick with until at least the end of collège (Year 9).
School fees in Paris
Annual tuition at fully private bilingual schools typically ranges from EUR 15,000 in early years up to EUR 32,000 in senior years. Bilingual sections within French schools are significantly cheaper, often EUR 5,000 to 12,000 per year, while the OIB in public lycées is free apart from a modest enrolment fee. Enrolment and registration fees are usually EUR 500 to 2,500, and refundable deposits of one term are common at private schools.
Location and admissions tips
School location shapes family life in Paris far more than in most capitals. Families in the west (7e, 16e, Neuilly, Saint-Cloud) cluster around ASP and Ecole Jeannine Manuel, while those in central arrondissements often choose ICS or Lennen. Commute by Metro or school bus and aim for under forty-five minutes door to door, especially for children under ten.
Applications for the September intake typically open the preceding November, with assessment from January onwards. Selective schools fill quickly; apply at least nine months in advance. From CE1 upwards, most schools use a short English and French language assessment, plus cognitive or maths testing.
Compare all international schools in France
For a full comparison of schools, fees and curricula, see the best international schools in France on International School Advisor.
Frequently asked questions
Can my child start bilingual school without speaking French?
Yes, at most fully private bilingual schools and at international English-medium schools with strong French-as-a-second-language support. At bilingual sections within French schools, entry without French is usually restricted to early years.
What is the OIB and who is it for?
The Option Internationale du Baccalauréat is a dual-language variant of the French Baccalaureate with enhanced literature and history/geography in a second language. It is ideal for families committed to France who want strong university access in both French and English.
Do Paris bilingual schools offer the IB?
Several schools in Paris offer the IB Diploma alongside or instead of the French Baccalaureate. If you expect to move again during secondary school, IB is usually the most portable qualification.