French Education: A World-Class System
France’s education system is free from maternelle (age 3) through university. University tuition is €170–380/year for EU students (€2,770–3,770 for non-EU). The grandes écoles system produces France’s tech founders, engineers, and business leaders.
For Expat Families
International schools in Paris: American School of Paris (ASP), British School of Paris, Lycée International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, International School of Paris (ISP). Fees: €15,000–35,000/year. Bilingual sections: Many public lycées offer “sections internationales” in English, German, Spanish — free tuition with bilingual curriculum.
Grandes Écoles: The Elite Pipeline
École Polytechnique (#9 global engineering), HEC Paris (#1 European MBA multiple years), Sciences Po (political science/international relations), ENS (research), CentraleSupélec, Mines ParisTech. These institutions produce 15%+ of European tech founders and feed directly into the French startup ecosystem.
The French Education System: Structure
| Level | Ages | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| École Maternelle | 3–6 | 3 years | Free |
| École Primaire | 6–11 | 5 years | Free |
| Collège | 11–15 | 4 years | Free |
| Lycée | 15–18 | 3 years | Free |
| University | 18+ | 3–8 years | €170–380/yr (EU), €2,770–3,770 (non-EU) |
| Grandes Écoles | 20+ | 3–5 years | €0–50,000/yr depending on school |
International Schools in Paris
For executive families relocating through the French Tech Visa or Talent Passport, Paris offers over 30 international schools. The American School of Paris (Saint-Cloud), British School of Paris (Croissy-sur-Seine), International School of Paris (16th arrondissement), and Lycée International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye (14 international sections) are the most established. Fees range from €15,000 to €35,000 per year. Outside Paris, Lyon, Toulouse, Nice, and Bordeaux each have 2–5 international school options.
Higher Education Rankings
France has 5 universities in the global top 100 (Shanghai/THE rankings): Université PSL, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris-Saclay, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, and Université de Paris. The grandes écoles system produces a disproportionate share of France’s business and political elite: HEC Paris graduates lead 15%+ of CAC 40 companies, École Polytechnique alumni dominate engineering and technology leadership, and Sciences Po graduates populate the highest levels of government and international organizations. For technology specifically, École 42 — the tuition-free, peer-to-peer coding school founded by Xavier Niel — has become globally recognized as a radical alternative to traditional CS education.