Discover The Best Schools In St Tropez & The South of France

With over 300 days of sunshine every year and beautiful scenery to boot, there is no denying that the French Riviera is an appealing place to live, offering an excellent environment in which to raise a family. If you’re looking to relocate to Saint Tropez or the Cote d’Azur with a family, then it’s likely that finding a villa near schools is high on your priority list. However, with so many different types of schools in St Tropez and the surrounding area, you’ll need to consider your scholastic preferences before you start even thinking about where you’ll live. The first step is to decide whether you are looking for a fully French, bilingual or international/English-speaking school - here are the best.

French Schools in St Tropez

If you opt for a French public primary school, you will need to register your child with a ‘Mairie’. You will generally be allocated to the school that is closest to your home.

There are very few private French schools in St Tropez, however one excellent option is Ecole Sainte-Anne, a Catholic school situated in the heart of the village. Offering first-class pastoral care for students, this St-Tropez school is known for taking a significant number of international students every year. To register your child, simply make an appointment with the Headmistress.

Bilingual Schools on the French Riviera

You may decide that a bilingual education is more appropriate for your child. Bear in mind that this can be a challenging option, as the children are essentially required to cover two curricula at the same time. However, the benefits of being bilingual are often seen as outweighing the initial difficulty.

A fantastic option for bilingual education is the ASEICA network, however you will need to look outside of the schools in St Tropez.

At primary level, there are two schools which offer international streams in English and German within the French state network; Sartoux (Valbonne, Sophia Antipolis) and Trois Collines (Mougins).

At secondary level, over 940 students follow the English and Humanitarian programmes in the four ASEICA colleges around Sophia Antipolis. From there students then can go through to complete the Baccalaureate at the Centre International De Valbonne, which offers an even greater choice of language options including Italian, Arabic and Mandarin.

The ASEICA schools have a strict admissions policy and there is understandably a high demand for places. There is no guarantee that even fully bilingual children will be offered a place, but it is certainly worth applying if you feel this is the right option for your kids.

International/English-Speaking Schools in the South of France

It may be the case that a fully English education is preferable, especially if you are relocating from an English-speaking country and your child has already reached a significant stage in their schooling.

Some of the best international schools on the French Riviera include Mougins School and the International School of Nice. Located in a beautiful area of the Cote d’Azur, Mougins welcomes children from 3 years up to 18 years old. The school has a diverse community of nationalities and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, teaching the British curriculum adapted to international students. The International School of Nice is also a great option for kids with a creative flair, conveniently located for both Nice and Monaco. It offers an international education for children 4–18 with a strong focus on the performing arts.

Again spaces for these schools can be competitive, but there are plenty of other great international facilities in the South of France, some not far from Saint-Tropez.

If you are looking for the next holiday destination with your children and you are not willing to stay on the Riviera, we recommend the Balearics. What can we better than a boat charter? Mallorca, Ibiza, and Menorca have so much to offer..

There are many excellent schools in St Tropez and the surrounding area, and whichever area you choose to settle down in you will be able to find a good school for your children. However, we hope this list has helped you narrow down your list by identifying the best. Happy schooling!