18 Aug 2023
Tags: Property, international property, International, Luxury, Luxury Property, France, south of france, School, international school, education, expat, expats, moving abroad, Moving, abroad
Back to School September: A guide to the best international schools and properties in the South of France
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September 2023: According to Study International, France ranks in the top 10 for having one of the best educational systems in the world. This is down to the quality of diplomas being recognised worldwide, and some schools being internationally renowned. The luxury buying agent Home Hunts outlines the best school options for families considering moving to the South of France and some properties on the market close to these schools.
France is a global economic superpower with an economy to match the UK, with at least 200,000 British expats living in the country, according to iexpats. But with a better climate, especially in the South of France, and laid-back approach to life, it's no wonder that the country has attracted so many British families.
When relocating, while some expats will feel that their children will be able to integrate into a traditional French school, other families may opt to send their children to an international school. And there are over 100 private international schools in France to choose from - with most in Paris but Lyon, Marseilles, Toulouse, Montpelier, Bordeaux, Nantes and Lille also have good private international options.
So, if you're planning to move to France with your children, it is not only important to understand the French schooling system, but be aware of the best international schools around the area that you are considering moving to.
In France, school is compulsory from the age of three to 16 and is split into three stages: five years at primary school followed by secondary level, which includes college for students aged 11-15 and Lycee for the final three years which leads to the French baccalaureate qualification, often referred to as 'le bac'.
The term 'international school' can mean many things in France, with varying curriculums, qualifications and fees to consider. Therefore, parents have to take every aspect of the school into consideration to know if it's right - including the location.
The South of France in particular offers prestigious and rated educational institutions with excellent reputations. In fact, Sainte-Victoire International School in Provence ranks as the second-best private school in France, according to smapse.
Meanwhile, the Institute Fénelon in Grasse is a highly recommended and reputable international secondary school. It is also hugely popular with parents for offering an extensive curriculum.
So, for families who see international education as a personal investment, here are of the most popular International Schools in the South of France and the homes for sale within the area:
This independent international school is located near Aix en Provence in the South of France and was established in 1984. It has an annual enrolment of more than 900 students from more than 75 different countries in its day and boarding sections. A particularity of the school is that the international section is not dominated by any one nationality and new students are made to feel at home immediately.
Properties to choose from in this region:
Villa/House For Sale In St Cannat - This extremely light-filled villa has a fully open-plan living room of 88 m2, a fitted kitchen, an office and a sleeping area with 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and WC. Upstairs, you will enjoy a parental area of more than 50 m2 with a master suite, terrace, dressing rooms and WC. The garden of the modern villa dotted with olive trees, and also has a huge free-form swimming pool and large garage. Strategically located between Salon-De-Provence and Aix-en-Provence, the property is ideal for a family.
€1,180,000 / £1,017,101
5 bedrooms / 3 bathrooms
Villa/House For Sale In Venelles – Located in the sought-after commune of Venelles, and close to shops and amenities, with the school being a 15 minute drive away, this contemporary house consists of four bedrooms and three bathrooms – and also has a swimming pool.
€975,000 / £839,470
4 bedrooms / 3 bathrooms
Mougins School was founded in 1964, and is located in the heart of Nice Sophia-Antipolis. This school teaches solely in English and are part of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS) and the International Schools Council (ISC). Their curriculum is based mainly on the English National Curriculum and includes GCSE's and A-Levels.
Properties to choose from in this region:
Villa/House For Sale In St Cezaire Sur Siagne – This gorgeous home is located near the charming Saint-Cezaire sur Siagne in the cool hills of the Grasse and Cannes hinterland. The main house of the property is a masterpiece of rustic architecture, designed to blend with the terraced terrain. It features a beautiful entrance (also serving as an office space), a dining room with access to a romantic patio with a barbecue, a living room with a fireplace, a kitchen, a laundry room with a sauna, a storage room, and a wine cellar.
€995,000 / £856,689
4 bedrooms / 2 bathrooms
Villa/House For Sale In Mouans Sartoux - Ideally located between Valbonne and Mouans-Sartoux, this pretty 190m2 Provencal villa offers panoramic views of the surrounding hills and makes for an ideal family home. The property is a short drive from not only the town but also the international school – with it being only a 15-minute drive.
The main house features two bedrooms on the first floor, a bathroom and a mezzanine office. Upstairs, two bedrooms and a shower room, and also includes a pool house and summer kitchen.
€1,595,000 / £1,373,286
5 bedrooms / 3 bathrooms
Sainte Victoire International School is an IB World School located near Aix-en-Provence in the south of France. SVIS provides an innovative and rigorous approach to teaching and learning, incorporating cross-disciplinary subjects as well as a wide range of learning opportunities that take place off-campus.
Properties to choose from in this region:
Villa/House For Sale In Venelles - In a stunning bucolic and soothing environment, and just 15 minutes from the city center of Aix-en-Provence, this exceptional house was designed by a renowned architect. It offers large volumes, quality services and a very pleasant living environment. There is also a salt pool, as well as a patio-style interior courtyard which offers an idyllic and privileged living space.
€2,950,000 / £2,542,015
4 bedrooms / 2 bathrooms
Villa/House For Sale In Aix En Provence – This beautiful property is located in the countryside, at the gates of the historical city of Aix. The property comprises a main house, which was originally a sheepfold at the end of the 19th century, and has now been extended to provide a beautiful entrance hall, a bright lounge, fitted kitchen, library lounge, and an en suite bedroom with bathroom (with separate entrance). Outside there is a stone pond with fish, an old Luberon fountain and a pool area with pool-house.
€1,890,000 / £1,628,388
6 bedrooms / 5 bathrooms
The International School of Nice is a private, co-educational day school for children from preschool, aged four, through to Grade 12, aged 19. Founded more than 40 years ago, the school follows the International Baccalaureate (IB) system and has 3 programs: The IB Primary Years Program (PYP), The Middle Years Program (MYP) and the IB Diploma Program (IB DP). Many students that graduate from ISN study in high ranked universities around the world.
Properties to choose from in this region:
Villa/House For Sale In Nice - This superb modern villa, measuring approximately 350 m2, features 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. Designed by a renowned architect, it offers a unique contemporary style and high-quality finishes. Located on a magnificent 7,000 m2 plot facing south, the property enjoys breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and the surrounding hills. Situated in the sought-after neighborhood of Gairaut, the villa benefits from an ideal location, close to the highway, amenities, schools, and public transportation.
€2,220,000 / £1,911,408
5 bedrooms / 5 bathrooms
The Institut Fénelon is a private Catholic school teaching the French curriculum to pupils from Primary through to Lycée. The British International Section of the Institut Fénelon has one or two classes per level. It offers its students, most of whom are bilingual, the opportunity to maintain a high level of English through English language tuition. Students in the International section follow the same pace as all the other students in the college and lycée, studying the French national curriculum, and share with them numerous projects around the key themes of the institute's educational project.
Properties to choose from in this region:
Villa/House For Sale In Grasse – This elegant, former perfumer's mansion sits in a peaceful location amidst an ancient olive grove in the French Riviera countryside, within easy reach of the centre of Grasse, and just 10 minutes from Mougins. The property consists of the five bedroomed main house, there is also a two bedroomed guest house as well as a pool house and a large covered car port for three or four cars. The landscaped gardens include a very impressive, recently installed pool, pool house, summer kitchen, and several covered terraces. And just behind the main house is an independent guest house which has two, newly renovated bedroom suites, each with their own bathroom.
€4,250,000 / £3,641,025
7 bedrooms / 6 bathrooms
Villa/House For Sale In Plascassier - Imagine living in the Provencal countryside! This wonderful hilltop villa is found just a few minutes' walk from the historic village of Valbonne and has breathtaking views from Theoule Sur Mer to Grasse. The property is finished with a large 15-meter swimming pool. In true Provencal style, this luxury villa has an abundant amount of outdoor entertainment space to offer the most of the long riviera summers. Including a summer kitchen, pool house, and covered terraces overlooking the pool.
€2,200,000 / £1, 894,188
4 bedrooms / 4 bathrooms
ISM is entirely bilingual French and English, accessible for children starting from two to 11 years of age. In this school children receive a quality, multi-disciplinary education in a stimulating environment, with the educational programme designed to meet the needs of international families.
Properties to choose from in this region:
Apartment For Sale In Marseille - In the heart of Marseille's 8th arrondissement, just a stone's throw from Parc Borely and a 5-minute walk from the sea, this superb 160 m2 penthouse on two levels boasts a superb 60 m2 roof terrace plus a 35 m2 terrace over the reception area. Ideal for those hesitating between a villa and a top-floor flat. In a very intimate, secure two-storey condominium with a superb, private swimming pool.
€1,590,000 / £1,368,981
3 bedrooms / 2 bathrooms
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For further information on Home Hunts, please visit https://www.home-hunts.com/ or call: +44 (0)208 144 5501
Notes to Editor:
Home Hunts work for international buyers by offering a free, tailor-made property search service in France and Spain. The team helps clients through every step of the buying process, and collaborates with all of the best estate agents, notaires, developers and private sellers to provide the ultimate selection of properties in a desired area.
Media Contacts:
Milica Cosic, P1 Communications Milica.cosic@p1communications.com