A boarding-school search for Paris should begin with a map. Schools marketed to international families as “Paris” options may be in nearby towns, with a residential environment very different from living in the centre. That can be an advantage for a teenager who wants space and a close school community, provided everyone understands the location.
Two schools with published residential options are Ermitage in Maisons-Laffitte and Notre-Dame International High School in Verneuil-sur-Seine. They offer different educational and accommodation arrangements; neither should be treated as a generic Paris boarding package.
Ermitage in Maisons-Laffitte
Ermitage’s boarding information describes five- and seven-day options for ages 11–18. Its campus information places the school in Maisons-Laffitte and explains connections with Paris. The school offers IB and French bilingual educational pathways.
Ask which programme, subjects and language support are appropriate for your child. A visit should include the residence and the normal route between accommodation and lessons. City access is useful, but the school week will revolve around the local community.
Notre-Dame in Verneuil-sur-Seine
Notre-Dame International High School publishes dormitory and homestay arrangements. Dormitory boarding is for ages 15 and above; younger students use homestay arrangements. School holidays are excluded from its boarding provision. Its seven-day dormitory option provides breakfast and dinner at weekends, with students buying their own lunches.
Discuss the proposed arrangement in detail, including supervision, independent outings and the plan for every school break. A homestay is a different experience from a residence: it can provide more exposure to family life and French, but comes with its own household routines.
Day school, boarding and homestay are different offers
A day school may welcome international applicants without providing accommodation. An external host family or private residence is not automatically supervised by the school. If an agent packages the two together, establish who is responsible for each part and who a student should contact when something goes wrong.
For a family relocating together, day school may be the natural choice. For a teenager arriving alone, reliable evening, weekend and holiday arrangements become central to the decision.
What should a family budget include?
Request an itemised quote for the intended year and age group. It should distinguish tuition, residence, meals, initial fees, deposits, examinations, activities and airport transfers. Add travel home and any accommodation needed when boarding closes.
Look at payment dates and withdrawal terms as well as the annual total. If a visa decision or family move is delayed, it helps to know in advance what can be postponed and what remains payable.
Making the most of the location
Paris can enrich study through museums, exhibitions, theatre and everyday opportunities to use French. Ask which experiences are organised by the school and which are independent choices requiring permission and spending money. Do not assume every weekend is a supervised sightseeing programme.
Encourage your child to think about the quieter side of boarding too: sharing space, doing homework, laundry arrangements and staying connected with family. A supportive routine makes cultural opportunities easier to enjoy.
A useful school conversation
Describe your child’s current subjects, language confidence and interests. Ask how a newcomer joins friendships and activities, how staff respond to homesickness and who coordinates learning support. For a student entering an examination course, discuss the timing of the move with both schools.
Choose after comparing the actual educational offer, residential calendar, total cost and your child’s own reaction. For more geographical choice, see our guides to boarding schools across France, boarding in Europe 和 comparing boarding-school costs.
Reviewed 25 October 2026. School arrangements and fees can change; follow the official links for the intended entry year.