The French Education System: How School Works in France

When you read or listen to French, you might come across sentences like:“He’s very happy, he just got his baccalauréat” or “Sophie is nervous about starting 6ème, her first year at collège.”

If you don’t know how the French education system works, it can be hard to picture what these words really mean. Every country has its own school structure, and the French one is quite unique.

In this article, let’s take a clear look at how school works in France — from école maternelle to lycée. We’ll also talk about the different school holidays and study paths students can follow after the age of 15.

Compulsory Education in France

In France, education is compulsory from the age of 3 to 16. During this period, children go through several stages:

• école maternelle (for young children)

• école primaire

• collège

• then lycée, depending on the student’s chosen path

  
  

École Maternelle (Ages 3–5)

Children usually start school at the age of three. École maternelle lasts three years and focuses on social development, language, and early learning through play.

The three classes are:

• Petite section (first year)

• Moyenne section

• Grande section

This first step is an important part of childhood education in France — it’s where children learn how to live and play together, speak clearly, and prepare for primary school.

École Primaire (Ages 6–10)

After maternelle, children move on to école primaire, which lasts five years. They learn reading, writing, maths, science, and basic cultural knowledge.

The five classes are:

• Cours préparatoire (CP)

• Cours élémentaire 1 (CE1)

• Cours élémentaire 2 (CE2)

• Cours moyen 1 (CM1)

• Cours moyen 2 (CM2)

  
  

Collège (Ages 11–15)

Collège is the next step. It marks the beginning of more independent learning. Students have a different teacher for each subject and move between classrooms during the day.

The four years of collège are:

• Sixième

• Cinquième

• Quatrième

• Troisième

At the end of troisième, students take their first national exam, the Diplôme National du Brevet.

💡 Fun fact: In France, saying “I study at collège” in English can be confusing — collège here means lower secondary school, not university!

Lycée (Ages 15–18): Different Study Paths

After collège, students choose their orientation according to their interests and future plans. Not everyone follows the same route.

• Some enter a lycée général or lycée technologique, which prepare for the baccalauréat — the exam that opens the door to higher education.

• Others go to a lycée professionnel, where they study for a bac professionnel or a CAP (a vocational diploma) and often spend time working in companies.

• Some students choose apprenticeship programs, combining school and professional experience.

The three years at lycée are:

• Seconde

• Première

• Terminale

At the end of terminale, students take the baccalauréat, commonly called le bac. It’s a key diploma in France.

The School Year and Holidays in France

The French school year runs from early September to early July. It’s divided into several terms, separated by regular holidays.

The main school holidays are:

• Vacances de la Toussaint (around the end of October)

• Vacances de Noël (around Christmas and New Year)

• Vacances d’hiver (in February)

• Vacances de printemps (in April)

• Grandes vacances (the long summer holidays, from July to August)

School zones

To avoid traffic jams and crowded holiday spots, France is divided into three school zones: A, B, and C.The dates of the winter and spring holidays are different depending on the zone. This system helps spread holiday periods throughout the country.

In Summary

The French education system follows a clear path:École maternelle → École primaire → Collège → Lycée → Baccalauréat.

Understanding this structure — and the vocabulary that goes with it — will help you make sense of everyday conversations, news stories, or films about life in France.

👉 In my next article, we’ll explore the French higher education system — from universities to grandes écoles and professional training programs.