France as a country is very family-friendly and a great choice for expats with children. If you’re planning a move to France or relocating within the country, finding the best place to live in France for families is the first step in the process.
Some non-French families move to France and settle in the country’s towns and villages, where their children are immersed in the French education system. This certainly works well for some and the children become bi-lingual remarkably quickly.
For those looking at English-speaking international schools, France has a total of 82 such schools in 13 different cities offering either French, British or American curriculums and these are also popular with expat families.
Consequently, the best places to live in France for families do tend to be the cities, as they also offer many activities that are ideal for children after school, on weekends and during school holidays.
1. Paris
Paris is the dream location for many families to live, with many great neighborhoods to raise a family. A large number of non-French residents living temporarily in Paris are working for international companies and are sent to work in the capital for a number of years. Paris is one of the world’s best capitals and there is something going on every single week, with no shortage of activities for children.
There are as many as 43 different international schools located in the city. France’s first British school was the British School of Paris which was founded in Croissy, on the western outskirts of the city after World War II. The school is an independent co-ed and follows the English National Curriculum. The school is regarded by many as one of the best in Paris and has 800 students, ranging in age from 3-18. About 30% of the students are British and the rest come from more than 50 other countries. The staff members are proud that almost 75% of the students gain places in universities in the UK.
The American School of Paris is similar in size and it is an independent co-ed with students studying the American curriculum to gain their American High School Diploma/ AP/ IB Diploma. The school is situated in the suburb of St Cloud, about ten kilometers west of central Paris. The school is well known for its sport, music and drama and for having an active PTA.
Although not all schools publish their fees for the public, the Ermitage International School of France in western Paris is known to be the most expensive school in France with annual fees of around $40,000. It has 1,400 students, ranging in age from 2-19 years.
The Forest International School is situated in St Germain-en-Laye, on the edge of the Marly forest. It offers bilingual French-English program for children and has a high staff to student ratio and a good reputation for its SEN support (Special Educational Needs) for children with a range of needs.
There are just so many fun things to do as a family in Paris, including visiting all the world famous landmarks. There is a fascinating aquarium, the zoo and of course, Disneyland Paris. There are great playgrounds and parks for children including the Jardin du Luxembourg that Napoléon actually dedicated to the city’s children.
2. Bordeaux
Located in the southwest of France, Bordeaux is world famous for its fine wines, excellent food, architecture and rich cultural life. Bordeaux is a great place to live for expat families because it has a large and vibrant expat community that has integrated really well with local residents. Bordeaux has a multicultural ambiance because it is a port city and also an increasingly popular weekend destination for people from all over Europe.
Bordeaux has two international schools for non-French speaking students. The first is the 35-year-old Bordeaux International School. This school is the only one in the region that is accredited by the CIS (Council of International Schools). The school has 180 students of 25 nationalities. Students range in age from 3 to 18 years and they have bi-lingual teaching in small classes from Early Learning in English, through to secondary level. They are encouraged to be creative and develop an independent spirit. The school enjoys excellent exam results with 100% of its students going on to the college or university of their choice.
The other choice in the city is International School 33, which gets its name from Bordeaux’s department number, 33. There are 180 students at the school, of 15 different nationalities. The children in kindergarten speak French, English, Spanish, Chinese and German and soon learn French and English using the ‘immersion method’.
Living in Bordeaux with a young family is easy, as there are plenty of green areas in the city to enjoy. Moreover, the coast and famous Dune du Pilat at Arcachon are within close distance. Bordeaux has its own international airport at Merignac and excellent train connections. The bus and tram services within the city are good, but are patchy on the outskirts of the city and a car is needed.
3. Grenoble
Grenoble is located in the southeast of the country and is another one of the best places to live in France. Many of the expats living in the city work for the different semiconductor-based companies – particularly at Crolles – which is a hub supporting several ancillary companies. Grenoble also has a nuclear research establishment, plus computer and other technological industries. Grenoble is a great choice if you enjoy being outdoors and are a fan of winter sports.
Grenoble is certainly a family-friendly city with two international schools. The first is the American school of Grenoble, which caters for 11-18 year olds. There are 48 students and just 8-10 students each class, which follow the American curriculum. The Positive School is situated in Meylan, just north east of the city. It is a Montessori school for 5-11 year olds. There are on average 15 students in each class and lessons are taught in both English and French.
Grenoble has excellent healthcare facilities for families including the 2,000 bed Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Grenoble, plus a number of specialist medical units. The city has an extensive public transport system with no less than 26 different bus routes and five tram lines. Bicycles are also a popular way to get around. Grenoble also has regional trains and is served by the high-speed TGV train service.
4. Lille
Situated in northern France, Lille is another one of the best places to live in France with children. The city is large enough to enjoy great amenities and plenty of culture, but is small enough for expats to feel comfortable – and they do! Lille has a large international school – École Jeannine Manuel – which has a second campus in Paris.
The school has around 1,000 students aged 3-18 of 50 different nationalities. Students are 60% French, 20% bi-national (French and another nationality) and 20% international. The school follows several curriculums including IB (International Baccalaureate), American and French.
5. Lyon
Lyon is a great city to live in and isn’t as expensive as Paris. The city straddles two rivers, is a foodie heaven with excellent restaurants and has the best city bike program in Europe. Lyon has long been popular with expats so, not surprising, it has six international schools.
The International School of Lyon has 330 students and interestingly, the most common nationality is French. 30% of the students are French, compared to 70% international students. Like many international schools, it offers a comprehensive range of extracurricular activities including art, photography, website design, sports, dance, outdoor adventures.
Some of the international schools in Lyon follow the French curriculum and others, the British (Ecole Greenfield offers both). Getting around the city is relatively easy using the network of buses, trams and trains.
6. Marseille
With a population of 850,000, Marseille is the second largest city in France. The city is situated on the country’s southern coast and is its largest port. Marseille has been a major hub for trade for centuries. Marseille has a diverse population and many expats move to the city each year to work in the port or one of the dozens of multinational companies located in the city.
Marseille is a good city for families and has five international schools, although only two of them are actually in the city. Located right in its heart is the International School of Marseille (ISM) which caters to children 2-11 years old. Students are taught in French and English. Just east of the city centre is École Internationale Montessori. This kindergarten and primary school has students ranging from 1-12 years. It has won an award as an eco-école and has the added bonus is that it offers both before and after school care.
The other three schools are outside the city: CIPEC International School in Aix- en- Provence, the International Bilingual School of Provence, just south of Aix-en-Provence and Saint Victoire International School which is Fuveau – halfway between Marseille and Aix-en-Provence.
There are plenty of family fun things to do including playing on the beach, discovering the adventure park of Marseille Saint-Jérôme and taking a boat trip to the prison and fort of Chateau d’If – the French equivalent of Alcatraz.
7. Montpellier
This compact city is certainly a dynamic one and it is considered one of the best places to live in France for families. Montpelier is vibrant as it has a large student population. Its university is one of the oldest in the world and its medical school certainly is. The city also has one of the strongest economies in France and has a small, but friendly, expat community. Montpellier has a good cultural life and regularly ranks high on lists of good quality of living – both worldwide and in France.
The city is one of the best family-friendly cities in France, as it has everything within easy reach and there are two international schools. The first is the International School of Montpellier (ISM) which has 80 students of 15 nationalities. It serves 3-14 year old children. The second is the Ecole Privée Internationale de Baillargues for ages 3-18. This school offers a bilingual education through to the end of the 3ème and then offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme to its sixth form pupils. Besides French and English, students have the opportunity to learn German and Spanish too.
8. Nantes
Nantes is a riverside city, located in the Loire and is a city rich in history and culture. It is the country’s third largest city and is regarded as one of the best places to live in France with a family. The city has an international business hub and many expat professionals move to the city on inter-company transfers – it certainly pays to speak good French. Nantes is also a good choice as the cost of living in the city is almost half that in Paris.
Boasting two international schools, Nantes meets the needs of many non-French students. Chavagnes International College is situated in Chavagnes en Palliers, near Montaigu, which is south of the city. Chevagnes is an international college for 11-18 year olds.
The International School of Nantes has two different campuses, one in the heart of the city and the other, to the west, in St Herblain. There is a school bus service available. The school has students ranging from 1 – 15 years and follows both British and French curriculums. There are on average 15 students per class.
Getting around Nantes is easy on foot, bike, or by tram and bus. Nantes has had a tramway since 1879; the new network opened in 1985 and comprises of three different lines. There is also a good bus service and this includes the Navibus water bus which has several routes. If you fancy a day in Paris, the capital can be reached in just two hours using the TGV.
9. Toulouse
Toulouse is a dynamic city with plenty of working opportunities as it is the hub of the aeronautic and European space industry. Known as ‘the rose city’ because of its red brick houses, Toulouse is the French answer to Silicon Valley, as it is considered a hub for startups in the tech field. Toulouse was recently voted 4th best places for families in France – particularly for expats (after Rennes, Nantes and Bordeaux). Toulouse has its own international airport (Blagnac), a good train service, including trains to the Mediterranean with a journey time of one hour, and also VeloToulouse, which is a public bike scheme.
Toulouse has three International schools making it definitely one of the best family-friendly cities in France. The International School of Toulouse has 500 students aged 3- 18 years, of 30 nationalities. 16% of the students are French, 24% British and 31% Spanish. Deutsche Schule Toulouse has 324 students of 20 nationalities. This school (which celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2023) has several campuses in the city for Kindergarten und Grundschule for ages 2 – 11 and the Weiterführende Schule for ages 11 – 18.
Lessons are taught in German and students follow the German Curriculum. The third international school in Toulouse is Mon École (My School) which is a small school, following both French and English curriculums and catering to students aged 2-11 years.
Toulouse has plenty to offer families and is one of the top family-friendly cities in France. La Cite de l’Espace is one of its most is popular attractions as the city is known for its space industry. Aeroscopia is a great museum which chronicles the history of aircraft. La Halle de la Machine is a huge quirky machinery playground and Quai des Savoirs is a fascinating interactive science museum. Getting around the city is easy either using the metro, bus or tram networks.
10. Cote d’Azur
This popular region of France stretches along the country’s south coast and has no fewer than 13 international schools. Cote d’Azur is considered by many as one of the best places to live in France with kids – and not just for its glorious weather.
Several of the international schools are located in Valbonne and these include the Hive Academy for 11–18-year-olds, which follows the American curriculum. Sophia Antipolis is Europe’s first technology park and is also situated in Valbonne (southwest of Nice). It is home to a variety of global companies, tech enterprises and several universities.
ICS Cote d’Azur is a multicultural learning facility with students of 30 different nationalities and so is Mouratoglou International School with 200 students of 45 nationalities. Interestingly, the school comprises of two sections, a French section for students from 6th grade to senior year and an international school, following the American curriculum for children of grades 5 to 12. The International School of Monaco is a much larger school with 750 students of 50 different nationalities, with the most common nationality being British.
You can find several other international schools in smaller communes and towns: Verneuil-sur-Avre, Pau and the SEK International School Les Alpes in Flumet in the French Savoy. This school stands at an altitude of 1,000 meters and is 70 km from Switzerland and 40 km from Italy. SEK is the only private school in France that is recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Education, Science and Sport.
If you are considering to move to France with your family, there are a number of family-friendly cities in France – all with international schools. In addition to achieving excellent academic results, the schools do offer something very special to their students as they have the opportunity of making friends with children from so many different countries and cultures. All of the schools have websites, but many do not publish their school fees online, these are available only when you contact the school.
