Language schools in Paris, France

Paris is the most common choice for a French course in France, and many of its language schools sit in central districts, close to metro and RER stations. Students come for a few weeks of general French, for a long course before university, or to prepare an official French test. Campus France notes that France has over 1,400 higher education programmes in English, but that some French makes daily life in the country much easier.

Campus France recommends schools with the Qualité FLE label, a quality label for centres that teach French as a foreign language (FLE, français langue étrangère). Several schools in our list hold it, according to their own sites.

What the schools offer

Our directory lists seven language schools in Paris. Most teach general French at all levels in small groups, with intensive and part-time options, private lessons and preparation for the DELF, DALF, TCF or TEF exams. Examples:

• Etoile Institut de Langue, at 38 boulevard Raspail (7th arrondissement), opened in 1971 and describes itself as a private institution of higher education. It says it welcomes almost 1,000 students from more than 60 countries each year. Besides general French it runs a pathway course to prepare for higher education and a Grandes Écoles preparatory course.
• ACCORD, founded in 1988 at 3bis rue Jean-Pierre Bloch (15th arrondissement), near the Eiffel Tower, takes students from the age of 16. Its courses range from semi-intensive classes to a super-intensive course of 35 hours a week, and it is an official TCF exam centre. Our directory lists it twice (ACCORD French Language School and ACCORD, École de Langues).
• Lutece Langue, at 6 rue Las Cases (7th arrondissement), teaches in groups of 3 to 8 students; new students (except beginners) can start every Monday.
• Elfe, at 15 rue Montmartre (1st arrondissement), teaches intensive courses in groups of no more than ten and also starts every Monday. It is an official centre for the TCF, TEF and DFP exams.

Paris Juniors, run from the same address as ACCORD, organises residential summer programmes for children and teenagers, including French courses near Paris. Ecole Perl completes our list.

Costs

Schools charge by the week, and longer courses cost less per week. At Lutece Langue, for example, the 15-hour intensive course costs €280 a week for 1 to 3 weeks, €270 for 4 to 8 weeks and €265 for 9 weeks or more (2026 fees). Its super-intensive course of 30 hours a week costs €780 a week and requires at least level A2; private lessons cost €66 an hour during the day. The school also sells a package for a six-month student visa: 20 weeks of classes for a total of €6,000.

Living costs come on top. Campus France warns that the cost of living in France can be fairly high, especially in Paris. It gives €374.40 as the price of an annual student transit pass in Paris and about €300 a month as the average French food budget.

Accommodation

Most schools help students find housing. Elfe offers host families, student residences, youth hostels and aparthotels; Etoile runs its own housing service with host families, a partner residence and studios; Lutece Langue refers students to Bonsejour, a homestay agency for Paris and its suburbs. A host family is the usual choice for immersion, since students speak French at home as well as in class.

Practical tips

• Visas: students from outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland may need a student visa even for a course of less than three months, depending on nationality, and need a long-stay student visa for more than three months, according to Campus France.
• Exams: the TCF is the official French test of the Ministry of National Education. If you need a certificate for university admission or residence, choose a school that prepares for it or is an exam centre.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a French course in Paris cost?

It depends on the school and the intensity. At Lutece Langue, a 15-hour intensive course costs from €265 to €280 a week in 2026, depending on the length of the course; accommodation and living costs are extra.

When can I start a course?

Several schools start general courses every Monday, for example Lutece Langue (except for complete beginners, who have fixed start dates) and Elfe.

Do I need a visa for a French course in Paris?

Citizens of the European Economic Area and Switzerland do not. Other students may need a visa even for less than three months, depending on their nationality, and need a long-stay student visa for more than three months, according to Campus France.

Can I take an official French exam at a school in Paris?

Yes. ACCORD is an official TCF exam centre, and Elfe is an official centre for the TCF, TEF and DFP.