Published on: April 15, 2025 | Article No: 323 | By: @rprasanth_kumar
Lyon offers a variety of international and bilingual schools catering to different needs, including public, private, and semi-private institutions. Some schools follow the French national curriculum with international sections, while others offer programs like the International Baccalaureate (IB) or Cambridge curriculum. Below is an overview of some of the key schools in Lyon, highlighting their type, fees, transport options, and unique features.
Big shoutout to Rohit Agarwal for helping with writing this article and compiling all the useful information from Lyon.
Good to know: The school academic year generally begins in early September and finishes at the beginning of July.
Academic year in France
In France, the school year typically runs from September until the end of June (sometimes into the first week of July). Formal education begins at the age of 3, starting with preschool (maternelle).
Admissions are usually based on the child’s age within the calendar year. For example, if a child turns 6 at any point between January and December of the current year, they would generally be eligible to start CP (Cours Préparatoire), the first year of primary school. That said, schools may occasionally make exceptions depending on individual circumstances or the child’s development. So, it’s always worth discussing directly with the school if you’re unsure.
Following table shows how the French education system is organized vis-à-vis other systems.
List of International and Bilingual Schools in Lyon
Here’s a helpful summary of the various international, bilingual, and English-language school options available in Lyon. This list is based on personal experiences, as well as insights shared by other families in the community. For the most up-to-date information, including details on admissions, we recommend visiting each school’s website or contacting them directly.
Note: Some schools begin their formal admission processes as early as 6 to 11 months in advance, so it’s a good idea to start researching and planning early!
| School Name | Details |
| Cité Scolaire Internationale de Lyon (CSI) – Anglophone Section | Type: Public |
| Fees: € (English section is paid) | |
| Transport: Served by the dedicated public school bus network | |
| Key Features: French public school with multilingual sections, including English. Prioritizes children newly arrived in France. Follows the French curriculum with additional English subjects. Offers international board exam options. | |
| International School of Lyon (ISL) | Type: Private |
| Fees: €€€ (recommended if reimbursed by an employer) | |
| Transport: No school bus service, reliant on public transport or personal vehicles. | |
| Key Features: Fully English-medium private school, offering French as a subject. Follows the IB curriculum. High admission fees. Convenient housing near the school is recommended due to transport dependency. | |
| Ombrosa (Lyon Caluire & Lyon 6) | Type: Private |
| Fees: €€€ | |
| Transport: Private school bus available (additional cost) | |
| Key Features: Two campuses: Caluire (all classes) and Lyon 6 (only maternelle section). Bilingual program in early years, international program at primary and secondary levels. Offers French, IB, and Cambridge curriculums. | |
| Le Petit Monde | Type: Private |
| Fees: €€€ | |
| Transport: No school bus service, but close to a metro station. | |
| Key Features: Multilingual school with German, Italian, English, and French sections. Small and ideal for early years (does not go beyond CP/CE1 levels). | |
| Assomption Bellevue | Type: Semi-private |
| Fees: €€ | |
| Transport: No school bus service but accessible via public transport. | |
| Key Features: Catholic bilingual school with an International English section. Priority given to children living in La Mulatière. | |
| Fénelon La Trinité | Type: Semi-private |
| Fees: €€ | |
| Transport: No school bus service but well-served by public transport. | |
| Key Features: Catholic bilingual school with an English section. Starts from 6ème (Class 6). Follows Cambridge International program with an option for an American High School Diploma. | |
| Collège & Lycée Jean Perrin | Type: Public |
| Fees: Free or minimal | |
| Transport: No school bus service, well-connected by public transport. | |
| Key Features: French public schools with international sections. | |
| Les Grillons | Type: Public |
| Fees: Free | |
| Transport: No school bus service but easily accessible. | |
| Key Features: Public primary school with an international section. | |
| La Rédemption | Type: Private |
| Fees: Information unavailable | |
| Transport: No school bus service, but accessible by public transport. | |
| Key Features: Private primary school with an international section from CE2 onwards. | |
| New School | Type: Private |
| Fees: €€€ | |
| Transport: No school bus service, accessible by public transport. | |
| Key Features: Private bilingual primary school. | |
| Lycée Colbert | Type: Public |
| Fees: € | |
| Transport: No school bus service but accessible via public transport. | |
| Key Features: From 2025, it will offer a bilingual excellence course: the International French Baccalaureate (BFI) American section. |
Some Practical Information
French public schools are free and typically located close to your home, which makes the school run easy and convenient! To enroll your child in a public school, you’ll need to contact your local Mairie (town hall), which will assign a school based on your address. Registration for the following academic year usually takes place in February and March. You can find more information and start the process here: Lyon.fr – School Enrollment.
If you’ve arrived mid-year or missed the regular registration period, don’t worry! Just get in touch with your local Mairie. They will guide you through the late enrolment process.
If none of the English or bilingual schools are a good fit, but you’d still like your child to stay connected with English, one great option is to enroll them in a nearby French public school and sign them up for English classes on Wednesdays or Saturdays. A popular choice is Bright Sparks, which offers engaging English lessons for kids. (Feel free to mention my family name, AGARWAL, when signing up—it gives benefits to both of us!)
In addition to public schools, Lyon also has a wide variety of semi-private schools (écoles sous contrat), many of which are run by Catholic organizations. While it’s hard to list them all here, they’re often connected to a local church, so it’s worth checking out schools in your neighborhood if you’re exploring this route.
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