01/09/2026
📚 It’s nearly la rentrée!
With three children at very different stages of the French education system, it’s going to be a busy one in our house! We’ve lived and worked in France for 19 years, so over that time we’ve experienced pretty much every stage of the school system. This year, we have one child at collège, one at lycée and one at university — so we have a pretty good idea of what’s involved at each stage!
🇫🇷 So, how does the French school system actually work?
Children start school at 3 years old with maternelle, then move on to école primaire from around 6 to 11, collège from 11 to 15 and then lycée from around 15 to 18.
At the end of collège, pupils sit the Brevet, and then start thinking about what comes next. There are several options. Some continue along the general route, while others choose a technological or professional pathway. A lycée professionnel is more practical and can be a good option for children who already have an idea of the type of career they would like to pursue.
Then comes the Bac - something most parents of teenagers become very familiar with! In 2026, around 727,000 students registered to take the Baccalauréat, with an overall success rate of 91.4%. In the general Bac, the success rate was almost 96%.
Of course, exam results aren't everything, but they do give an idea of how many young people are successfully progressing through the system and on to further education.
🎓 And then comes university… France has around 3 million students in higher education, with lots of different options beyond traditional university degrees. There are universities, specialist schools, engineering and business schools, BTS courses, apprenticeships and other professional routes.
Another big advantage for families is the cost. For French and EU students attending a public university, tuition fees are relatively low compared with many other countries. For 2026/27, the standard annual registration fee is around €178 for a Licence and €255 for a Master, plus the student and campus contribution.
There are, of course, exceptions. Private universities and some specialist schools can be considerably more expensive, but the cost of a public university education in France can be surprisingly affordable.
Having a child at university now, this is something we really appreciate!
❤️ So, what have we actually liked about the French system?
For us, one of the biggest positives has been watching the children become increasingly independent while still having plenty of support around them.
They've also all become bilingual, which is something we really value. Seeing them switch between English and French without really thinking about it has been one of the great benefits of bringing them up here.
School life isn't just about lessons either. Over the years, they've had the opportunity to try all sorts of sports and activities, from archery and canoeing to handball and dance. At collège, Wednesday afternoons are also an opportunity to take part in school sports through the UNSS. The annual licence is around €20, which gives access to a wide range of sporting activities. That's pretty incredible value when you compare it with the cost of most sports clubs.
And then there have been the school trips — skiing, trips to Paris, water sports on the coast and plenty of other experiences.
There are also affordable before and after school childcare options in many areas, which can make a big difference when you're working and raising a family.
And, of course, there's the food! The children might not always agree, but French school lunches have generally been pretty good in our experience.
🏡 So what should you consider if you're thinking of moving to France with school aged children?
Remember that choosing a house isn't just about the property itself. The location matters. Ask yourself these questions:
Which school will the children attend?
Where is the nearest collège?
What about the lycée?
Is there school transport?
And what happens when they get older?
These are all questions worth looking at before you buy.
It's very easy to fall in love with a beautiful stone house in a lovely rural location, only to discover that the nearest lycée is 30 or 40 minutes away and your teenager will need to get a bus there every morning!
After 19 years in France and three children who have gone through the education system, education has certainly been a big part of our family life. It's not perfect, of course, and there are things we would change. But overall, we've been very happy with the opportunities our children have had here.
If you're thinking about moving to France with children, what would you most like to know about the French education system? Ask your questions in the comments. There’s a good chance we’ve experienced it over the years!
