Education

School days and hours can vary greatly in France, from one area to another and even from one school to the next. Some schools, for example, operate a 4 day week but remain open for 12 days while other schools are on holiday. Generally speaking however, at secondary school level the week tends to be longer than in the UK. It is not unusual for secondary school children, to start at 8.00 am and finish at 5.00pm and some even have lessons on Saturday morning.

School holidays dates are the same throughout France except for the winter holidays (February) and the spring ones (April/May) when a 3 zone system comes into operation, mainly so that holiday departures are staggered in order to ease traffic congestion on French roads. If you need information on education from Ecoles Maternelles (nursery schools) to colleges et Lycées (Secondary Schools), contact your mairie (Town Hall), or the Inspection Académique (County Education Office) or:

For State Schools
Ministère de l’Education Nationale Bureau d’Information et d’Orientation
61/65, rue Dutot
75 Paris
Tel 00 33 1 40 65 65 40

For Private Schools
Centre d’Information et de Documentation de l’Enseignement Privé
6, rue Monsigny
75002 Paris
Tel: 0033 1 44 55 34 80

For details about Universities and Higher Education in France
French Embassy Cultural Department
23 Cromwell Road
London SW7
tel: 020 7838 2055