France

Before You Go: Paris Links, Books and Movies

Cannes schools considered by expats

This list is just to give you a snapshot overview of schooling in the Cannes/Cote d'Azur area, plus very general info on schools considered (and sometimes chosen) by expats. We simply don't have enough sound input from parents yet to select and fully cover any school in particular with full-blown GSGI reviews. But we're working on it, so watch this space.

Expat overview: a flying view of Toulouse

So much has been written about France and the French that we probably know this country and population better than they know themselves.  Relishing the dream to live in France is one thing. The reality, however, does not always match up to expectations. 

OIB: The Option Internationale du Baccalauréat explained

A variant on the French national Baccalauréat. Not to be confused with the Geneva-based IBO’s International Baccalaureate (or IB): the OIB and the IB are worlds apart. 

Schooling on a plate: educational overview for Paris and the Ile de France

Private education is big business around Paris. So, as it happens, is food… and though we’ve eaten out the world over, it’s in Paris that we have had both our very best and our very worst meals ever. As for restaurants, so for schools: savvy consumers really can come up trumps; for the rest, it’s “buyers beware”.                                       

Schools in Paris (and environs) considered by expats

This is an overview of the main schools catering to English-speaking families in Paris and the Ile de France.

Schools near Aix considered by expats

This article is meant to give a snapshot overview of schools in the Aix-en-Provence area that are considered (although not necessarily chosen) by English-speaking expat parents.

The French system: in all its gloire

Ask any French adult if he looks back on his schooldays with warmth and affection, nine times out of ten the answer will be puzzled perplexity - that’s not what schools are for, they proclaim.  Inflexible education, especially in reading, writing and arithmetic, describes the French education system.  It does, therefore, have the reputation of being one of the most thorough systems in the world.

Toulouse area schools considered by expats

The emphasis of this guide is on schools for English-speaking expats, and that usually means schools in which the teaching language is English or at least bi-lingual, and there are more than a smattering of native English speaking students.

Transferring into or out of the French system

In France, the educational programme is uniform throughout the country and pupils are able to change schools anywhere at any time without disadvantage.  In fact, the French  system is designed to be the same whereever it is throughout the world, right down to the timing of classes and course work from hour to hour during the day. This probably makes for the most seamless transitions of any other educational system, with the IB programmes the possible exception. 

We live in France: if I can wake up my teenager, can he get a summer job?

Since we moved to France a few years ago, I always view the approach of the summer holidays with some apprehension.  Delighted as I am to have my daughter back from university and my son from boarding school, I know what they really want to do is go and find a job.  They are twenty and seventeen respectively, too old to want to play with their young siblings all day.  However, living in the rural Gers countryside surrounded by rolling hills and fields of glorious sunflowers, there is not much hope.

Where to live in Paris: schools and neighbourhoods

When they choose the right neighbourhood, expat families looking for the authentic Parisian experience are rarely disappointed. With a little research, it is hard to go wrong. But just to make things even easier for you, we have talked to scores of relocating families about their choices, and have distilled pretty much all of their feedback below.

Where to live outside of Paris

If you are feeling priced out of central Paris, or if you are simply looking for more space and a quieter, more verdant environment, the good news is you have plenty of choice. The communes heading out westwards from Paris range from pretty country villages to busy, self-contained cosmopolitan towns. If anything you’ll have a job narrowing down your preferences.