April 9, 2026
Best Schools for Francophone Expats in Mauritius
For Francophone families settling in Mauritius, choosing the right school is a priority. The island offers a network of recognised French establishments, including five main schools affiliated with the Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE). These schools guarantee a harmonised curriculum, from nursery to high school, and facilitate the transition between establishments, whether in France or abroad.
Key points of the schools:
- École du Nord (Mapou): Welcomes students aged 3 to 15, offers an international section and focuses on French-English bilingualism.
- Lycée La Bourdonnais (Curepipe): Offers continuous schooling from 5 to 18 years old, with a French curriculum and varied language options.
- Lycée des Mascareignes (Moka): For secondary school students (15-18 years old), with an International French Baccalaureate.
- École Paul et Virginie (Tamarin): For children aged 3 to 11, with a bilingual curriculum and a coastal environment.
- École du Centre (Moka): From nursery to secondary school, with an enriched French curriculum.
Quick comparison:
| School | Age | Location | Curriculum | AEFE Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| École du Nord | 3 to 15 years | Mapou (North) | French + Int. Section | Contracted |
| Lycée La Bourdonnais | 5 to 18 years | Curepipe (Centre) | French + Int. Options | Contracted |
| Lycée des Mascareignes | 15 to 18 years | Moka (Centre) | French + IBF | Partner |
| École Paul et Virginie | 3 to 11 years | Tamarin (West) | French + Bilingual | Contracted |
| École du Centre | 3 to 15 years | Moka (Centre) | French | Partner |
The average annual fees for these international primary schools amount to approximately ₨175,500, offering quality education at a competitive cost. The choice will depend on your place of residence (North, West or Centre) and your children's educational needs.
Comparison of the 5 AEFE French schools in Mauritius for Francophone expats
1. École du Nord
Location
L'École du Nord is located in Village Labourdonnais, Mapou, in the north of Mauritius, specifically in the Rivière du Rempart region. This location makes it a preferred choice for expat families seeking an international French education.
Age group
The school welcomes students aged 3 to 15, covering levels from nursery to Year 10. With an enrolment of 1,485 students representing 20 different nationalities and a teaching staff of 100 qualified teachers, École du Nord offers a rich environment of cultural diversity.
Type of programme
École du Nord follows the French national curriculum, approved by the French Ministry of National Education. From the age of 6, students can join an International Section, which prepares them for the International French Baccalaureate. The results speak for themselves: 100% success rate for the Diplôme National du Brevet, 97% with honours.
Languages offered
Teaching is mainly in French, but the school also places a strong emphasis on learning English. It is also labelled an “International Primary School”, a major asset for preparing students to evolve in an international context.
AEFE accreditation status
École du Nord is a private Mauritian school, contracted with the AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad). This agreement guarantees that the establishment complies with the standards of the French education system while benefiting from financial support from France. This support helps to keep tuition fees more accessible.
Let's continue with Lycée La Bourdonnais, another important player in French education in Mauritius.
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2. Lycée La Bourdonnais
Location
Lycée La Bourdonnais is located on Rue Rochecouste, Forest Side, in Curepipe, in the heart of Mauritius. Founded in 1953, it is the oldest French establishment on the island, making it an essential institution for Francophone expat families. The school also offers support services for transport and reimbursement management.
Age group
With 1,385 students aged 5 to 18, Lycée La Bourdonnais offers complete schooling, from the last year of nursery (Grande Section de maternelle) to the final year of high school (Terminale), covering 13 levels. This pedagogical continuity is a key advantage for families wishing to guarantee schooling stability for their children throughout their academic journey.
Type of programme
The establishment follows the French national curriculum, approved by the French Ministry of National Education. From Year 1 (CP), students can join a British International Section (SI), complemented by other European and international options. With a 100% Baccalaureate success rate and over 8,630 graduates since its creation, the high school has a solid academic reputation. The secondary school teaching team consists of 82 qualified teachers.
Languages offered
French is the main language of instruction, while English plays an essential role from primary school. The school also offers a wide range of foreign languages: Spanish, German, Mandarin and Russian, in addition to French and English. This linguistic diversity is a major asset for students.
AEFE accreditation status
Lycée La Bourdonnais belongs to the AEFE network, and its 13 levels are fully approved. Thanks to this accreditation, French students can benefit from school scholarships via the French Embassy. Recognised as one of the best high schools in the AEFE network, it is also the only international establishment in Mauritius to offer continuous schooling from nursery to the final year of high school (from 5 to 18 years old). Its British International Section from Year 1 (CP) and its language offer comprising 6 languages further strengthen its appeal within the network.
Let's now move on to the presentation of the next establishment.
3. Lycée des Mascareignes
Location
Lycée des Mascareignes is located in Helvétia, Saint-Pierre 81405, in the Moka district. Nestled at the foot of the Moka mountain range, this establishment benefits from a natural environment conducive to learning as well as sports and cultural activities. Created in 2000, it moved to its current campus in 2001, the result of a collaboration between École du Nord and École du Centre, with the aim of offering a quality secondary school for their students.
Age group
The high school welcomes upper secondary students, covering Years 11, 12 and 13, i.e., young people aged approximately 15 to 18. Currently, more than 750 students, including French expats, Mauritians and students of other nationalities, are enrolled, thus offering a richly multicultural environment. The establishment also has a teaching and administrative team of over 95 members.
Type of programme
Lycée des Mascareignes follows the French national curriculum and offers the International French Baccalaureate (BFI), with full approval. The establishment operates according to the academic calendar of the Northern Hemisphere.
The headmaster, Grégory Bailleul, summarises the high school's educational vision as follows:
“CAP25 symbolises our way of looking to the future: a collective project that values our heritage, strengthens our cohesion, our collaboration and supports our students towards ambitious, enlightened and responsible paths, in coherence with the SDGs that structure our educational mission.”
Indeed, the high school's pedagogical project aligns with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Languages offered
French is the main language of instruction. The high school also offers international sections and the International French Baccalaureate (BFI), thus providing multilingual training that prepares students for international mobility.
AEFE accreditation status
Lycée des Mascareignes is contracted with the AEFE and benefits from full approval. This accreditation allows students to easily integrate into the global network of over 600 French establishments spread across 138 countries.
Let's now move on to other excellent establishments.
4. École Paul et Virginie
Location
École Paul et Virginie is located on Route Royale in Tamarin (postcode 90901), a charming coastal village on the west of Mauritius. Nestled between beaches and mountains, this school benefits from an exceptional natural environment, particularly appreciated by expat families. Since its foundation in 2003, it now welcomes 467 students.
Age group
The school offers a complete educational path for children aged 3 to 11, covering nursery and primary school. Its teaching is structured over eight levels, from Petite Section (Nursery) to CM2 (Year 6), offering ideal pedagogical continuity to support students throughout their primary schooling.
Type of programme
École Paul et Virginie follows the French national curriculum and has approval for all its teaching levels. This official recognition guarantees that the school complies with the educational standards established by the French Ministry of National Education. This greatly facilitates the reintegration of students into other French establishments, whether in Mauritius, France or elsewhere in the world.
Languages offered
Teaching is mainly in French. However, the school also offers a French-English bilingual programme, thus fostering learning in a multicultural context.
AEFE accreditation status
École Paul et Virginie is one of the few establishments in Mauritius to be contracted by the AEFE. This status guarantees a level of teaching compliant with the standards of French schools abroad. Let's now move on to the presentation of another remarkable establishment.
5. École du Centre
Location
École du Centre – Collège Pierre Poivre is located in Helvetia, Saint Pierre, in the heart of Mauritius. Founded in 1991, it is nestled at the foot of the Moka mountain range, in a lush green environment that particularly appeals to expat families. Its central position is a major asset, offering practical access from different regions of the island. Nearby, there are shopping centres and a sports complex, adding to the convenience for families.
Age group
The school offers a complete educational path, from nursery to secondary school. This continuity allows children to progress naturally throughout their schooling. From primary school, students benefit from a varied education integrating sport, plastic arts, music and an introduction to art history. These solid foundations prepare students to serenely approach secondary school years.
Type of programme
École du Centre follows the French national curriculum, in compliance with the directives of the Ministry of National Education. In parallel, it promotes the richness of Mauritian culture through local history courses, the wearing of a uniform and optional religious courses, for those who wish.
Languages offered
Courses are mainly taught in French, with an introduction to English from nursery school. This bilingual approach from an early age helps students to develop balanced linguistic skills.
AEFE accreditation status
The establishment is approved by the Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE). This approval guarantees that the teaching complies with the international standards of the French education system, while facilitating the transfer of students to other schools in the AEFE network.
"The school is approved as a French curriculum establishment by the Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE)."
– École du Centre
Expatriation Mauritius: All you need to know about your Children's Schooling in 2025
Overview of School Comparison
Here is a table summarising the main characteristics of the mentioned schools, to help you make an informed choice. These five establishments have average annual fees of ₨175,500 for international primary schools.
| School | Location | Age Group | Curriculum | AEFE Status | Proximity to Expat Areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| École du Nord | Mapou (North) | Nursery to Secondary | French | Contracted | Close to Grand Baie (North) |
| Lycée La Bourdonnais | Curepipe (Centre) | Nursery to High School | French | Contracted | Accessible from North and West areas |
| Lycée des Mascareignes | Moka (Centre) | High School (Secondary) | French / British Section | Partner | Accessible from North and West areas |
| École Paul et Virginie | Tamarin (West) | Nursery to Primary | French | Contracted | West Coast (Tamarin, Flic-en-Flac) |
| École du Centre | Moka (Centre) | Nursery to Secondary | French | Partner | Accessible from North and West areas |
Families' choices vary depending on their location:
- Families residing in the North (Grand Baie, Pointe aux Canonniers) often prefer École du Nord.
- Those living in the West (Tamarin, Flic-en-Flac, Cascavelle) tend to favour École Paul et Virginie.
- For secondary education, establishments located in the Centre (Moka, Curepipe) attract families from both regions.
All these schools follow the French national curriculum and offer bilingual French-English education. This approach promotes both local integration and continuity of the educational path. This table highlights the strengths of each establishment to guide you in your decision.
Conclusion
By taking into account the characteristics mentioned earlier, it becomes simpler to make an informed choice. The ideal school depends on your educational priorities and your location.
If you are looking for a bilingual programme with a strong English orientation, École du Nord stands out with its impressive 100% success rate for the Diplôme National du Brevet, 97% with honours. For those who prefer an education strictly conforming to the French model, École du Centre and Collège Pierre Poivre offer programmes aligned with the standards of the AEFE and the French Ministry of National Education.
The choice of establishment also depends on your place of residence and the desired school level. Families in the North often turn to École du Nord in Mapou, while those in the West favour École Paul et Virginie. For secondary education, establishments located in the Centre attract students from various regions.
Regarding fees, they remain competitive while reflecting a high educational level. For example, the average annual fees for an international primary programme amount to approximately ₨175,500, representing a saving of about 69% compared to costs in France.
Finally, to simplify your relocation to Mauritius, a partner like Soléa Realty can support you. They help expat families find accommodation close to schools, thus making the transition smoother and tailored to your needs.
FAQs
How to enrol in an AEFE school in Mauritius?
To enrol your child in an AEFE school in Mauritius, start by choosing the establishment that suits you, such as Lycée des Mascareignes or another contracted French school. Contact the establishment directly to obtain details on the procedures to follow. In general, this includes submitting an academic record, identification documents, proof of residence, and sometimes an interview or test. Also, make sure to respect the deadlines specific to each school.
What are the differences between "contracted" and "partner" AEFE?
Schools contracted with the AEFE are officially recognised by the Agency for French Education Abroad. They apply the official French curricula, guaranteeing an education compliant with the standards of the French National Education. Conversely, partner schools collaborate with the AEFE without benefiting from this approval. This offers them more flexibility in developing their programmes while maintaining a link with the French network.
What expenses should be planned in addition to school fees (uniform, transport, canteen)?
In addition to tuition fees, you must also consider expenses related to uniform, transport and canteen. These costs may differ depending on the establishment and the options selected.