Introduction
You are moving to China with your family and looking for French schools in China for your child. Your child has always studied in a French school back home. Now you have one question: can they keep learning in French in Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou?
The answer is yes — but the map has changed. Since 2020, many European families have left China. Demand for French schooling dropped. Some smaller French schools closed. Others merged their programs inside larger international schools. A few strong schools are still open and welcoming new families.
This guide shows which French schools are open in China in 2026. It covers the levels they teach and what to do if there’s no French school in your city. It also explains the recent changes to the network since 2020. All school statuses have been verified for the 2025–2026 academic year.
Why French Schooling in China Changed After 2020
French schools in China once served two distinct communities. The first group was the professional community. It had diplomats. It also had business leaders. Executives were part of this group too. They worked in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. The second group was the corporate community. This group had engineers and factory workers. They worked for French companies. Many were in Wuhan and Xiangfan.
After 2020, both communities shrank. The pandemic pushed thousands of expatriate families to return home. French car manufacturers also scaled back their factory operations in China. The company-funded French schools that served those workers closed quietly. Online directories from 2014 still rank on Google and still list those schools. Most of those listings are wrong.
What’s left is a lean network. It is also more stable. These are AEFE schools in important international cities. These schools are stronger and more resilient than the pre-2020 picture. All four schools in this guide are open, accredited, and accepting new students in 2026.
Key Takeaways
Four AEFE-accredited French schools operate in mainland China in 2026, covering Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.
LFS Shanghai is the biggest French school in Asia. It has two campuses. The annual tuition is 125,000 CNY for maternelle and élémentaire.
AEFE homologation lets students transfer to any French school globally. They don’t need to take entrance exams or face academic disruption when returning to France.
Guangzhou’s LFIC has the lowest fees, starting at 89,600 CNY each year. You can pay tuition in three installments.
Shenzhen’s QSI French Program got AEFE accreditation in 2024. It is now the newest French-curriculum choice in mainland China.
Families in cities without French schools can enroll through CNED, France’s government-run distance learning service for students from maternelle to Terminale.
Many French schools in China closed after 2020 due to expatriate departures, so online directories from before 2020 are no longer reliable for finding schools now.
What is the AEFE, and Why Does It Matter?
Before choosing a school, find out who accredits French schools. They operate globally.
The Agence pour l’enseignement français à l’étranger (AEFE) is a French government agency. It is managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It oversees the world’s largest network of French-accredited international schools. In mainland China, it accredits the four schools in this guide.
AEFE accreditation means the school has homologation. This is a five-year certificate. It is given by the French Ministry of National Education. This certifies that the school teaches the French curriculum. It meets staffing rules. It meets facility rules, too. French authorities inspect it often.
For a relocating family, homologation has four practical benefits. Your child can transfer to any AEFE school worldwide — no entrance exams needed. They can sit for the Brevet at 15 and the Baccalauréat (French Baccalaureate) at 18 at the school. If you return to France, they re-enter the French system at the right year without disruption. And you may be eligible for AEFE bursaries if your child holds French nationality.
AEFE schools in China come in three types. An EGD school (établissement en gestion directe) is run directly by the French state — similar to a public school in France. A conventionné school is managed by a parents’ association. It has a formal AEFE agreement and teachers sent by the French government. A partenaire school is independent. It has AEFE accreditation. It teaches the French curriculum.
All three types are fully homologué. The difference is governance, not quality.
French Schools Still Open in China in 2026
In 2026, there are four French schools in mainland China. They are all AEFE-accredited. These schools follow the French curriculum. The table below gives a quick comparison. Full details follow.
| School | City | Type | Levels | Fees (maternelle / élémentaire) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lycée français international Charles-de-Gaulle de Pékin | Beijing | EGD | Maternelle → Terminale | Contact school |
| Lycée français de Shanghai | Shanghai (2 campuses) | Conventionné | Maternelle → Terminale | 125,000 CNY / year |
| Lycée français international de Canton | Guangzhou | Partenaire | Maternelle → Seconde + CNED | 89,600 – 101,800 CNY / year |
| French Program at QSI International School | Shenzhen | Partenaire | Ages 2–10 + CNED for 10+ | Contact school |
Fees shown are for the 2026–2027 academic year. First-year registration fees apply additionally at LFS and LFIC.
The French school in Beijing — the école française de Pékin — is the flagship of the network in China. The AEFE directly manages it as an EGD school. The French state pays the teachers, sets the budget, and appoints the leaders. In 2025, the school marked its 60th anniversary. It has educated French families in Beijing since 1965.
The school is in Chaoyang District. It opened in 2016. French architect Jacques Ferrier designed the campus. It covers four hectares and can hold up to 1,500 students. In the 2025–2026 year, it has around 800 students from 59 countries. It teaches from Petite Section (age 3) through to Terminale (age 18). The Baccalauréat pass rate is 100%.
- Classification: EGD (French state-managed)
- Levels: Maternelle (age 3) → Terminale (age 18)
- Address: Xinjin Lu 3, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100015
- Phone: +86 10 6532 3498
- Website: www.lfip.net.cn
- Fees: Not listed publicly. Contact the admissions office for the 2026–2027 fee schedule.
The Lycée français de Shanghai, also known as the école française de Shanghai, is the biggest French school in Asia. It ranks among the largest in the AEFE network worldwide. It operates on two campuses: Qingpu and Yangpu. Both campuses have the full French curriculum. It runs from maternelle to Terminale. They are Baccalauréat exam centers, too.
The school is a conventionné school. An independent parents’ association runs it. It has a formal AEFE agreement. The teachers come from the French government.
- Annual Tuition (Maternelle)125,000 CNY
- Annual Tuition (Élémentaire)125,000 CNY
- First-Year Registration Fee (one-time)24,500 CNY
- Refundable Construction Contribution (one-time)30,000 CNY
Applications for 2026–2027 opened in November 2025. Popular year groups fill quickly. Apply as early as possible.
- Classification: Conventionné
- Levels: Maternelle (age 3) → Terminale (age 18)
- Campuses: Qingpu District + Yangpu District, Shanghai
- Website: www.lyceeshanghai.cn
- Enrollment: www.lyceeshanghai.cn/inscription
- Fees: 125,000 CNY / year (maternelle and élémentaire, 2026–27)
Lycée français international de Canton
The Lycée français international de Canton is in Guangzhou. It is also called école française de Canton. This school is the main French option for families in the Greater Bay Area, not including Shenzhen. It holds AEFE partenaire status and is fully homologué.
The school teaches from maternelle through to Seconde (year 10). For Première and Terminale students, the school uses CNED. This is the French national distance-learning service. They also get support from in-school French teachers. The school has plans to extend its full accreditation to the complete lycée cycle. Students can take the Brevet at the school.
- Annual Tuition (Maternelle)89,600 CNY
- Annual Tuition (Élémentaire)101,800 CNY
- First Registration Fee (one-time)7,308 CNY
Note: Payment can be made in three installments — 40% / 30% / 30%.
- Classification: Partenaire (AEFE homologué)
- Levels: Maternelle (age 3) → Seconde (age 16) + CNED for Première / Terminale
- Location: Guangzhou
- Website: www.lficanton.com
- Fees: 89,600 CNY / year (maternelle) · 101,800 CNY / year (élémentaire), 2026–27
There is no standalone French school in Shenzhen. The French program at QSI International School in Shekou got its AEFE accreditation in 2024. It is the newest AEFE-accredited French program in mainland China.
The program offers in-person French curriculum classes for young students aged 2 to 10 at the QSI campus in Shekou. The teaching follows the official French national program (programme de l’éducation nationale). For students aged 10 and older, the program uses CNED. QSI’s native French teacher offers in-person support. This helps prepare for the Brevet and Baccalauréat exams.
- Classification: Partenaire (AEFE-accredited since 2024)
- Levels: Ages 2–10 face-to-face on-campus · Ages 10+ via CNED with on-site support
- Address: Centre Bitao, 8-5 Route Taizi, Shekou, Nanshan District, Shenzhen
- French programme contact: Diane Derrien — diane-derrien@shenzhen.qsi.org
- Phone: +86 755 2667 6031
- Admissions: admissions@shenzhen.qsi.org
- Website: shenzhen.qsi.org/learn-with-us/french-program
What if there is no French school in your city?
If you’re moving to a city not listed above, like Chengdu or Tianjin, you have two good options. These will help keep your child’s French education going.
The first is CNED (Centre national d’enseignement à distance). This is a French government school. It belongs to the Ministry of National Education. It teaches the full French curriculum. Students learn from maternelle to Terminale. They do this through distance learning. Your child learns online at home. They send their work to French teachers and move up grades remotely. They can take French national exams as independent candidates at a set exam center. Families returning to France or moving to an AEFE school won’t face any disruption. The CNED pathway is fully recognized. Visit www.cned.fr for enrolment information.
The second path is a French bilingual school or French-stream international school. Some international schools in China offer French Language as a main subject. They offer French as a Foreign Language with English or Chinese. These schools are not AEFE-homologué. That means your child will not follow the official French curriculum. They provide strong language support and a positive learning environment. They also create a welcoming space for you to explore other options. Always ask directly whether the school is AEFE-recognized before committing.
How to Secure a Place: Timeline, Documents and Fees
French schools in China, especially LFS Shanghai, fill up fast in popular year groups. Here is what to expect from the enrollment process.
When to Apply
Most schools open applications in October or November for the following September. LFIP Beijing accepts rolling applications throughout the year but recommends early contact. Start the process at least six months before your planned arrival. For LFS Shanghai, November is the opening month for next year. So, don’t wait for spring.
The Eduka Platform
Applications at LFIP, LFS, and LFIC all use the Eduka online portal. Create your family account during enrollment and upload documents directly.
What You Will Need
You need these documents:
- Your child’s passport.
- A Chinese visa or residence permit.
- A birth certificate or livret de famille.
- A vaccination record. DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, polio) is required.
- School reports from the last two years (bulletins scolaires).
- Un certificat de radiation. This is the transfer certificate from the last school.
- Employment documents for one parent. Include the employer’s business license.
To join the nursery at LFIP, you must have a medical certificate. It should come from a hospital in Beijing that is approved.
Financial Aid
If your child is French, you may qualify for an AEFE school bursary (bourse scolaire). This is a means-tested grant that can cover part or all of annual tuition fees. It is paid directly to the school. You submit applications online at the Scolaide platform: scolaide.aefe.gouv.fr. Then, the French consulate in your area processes them. The main application window is open from January to March each year. This is for the upcoming school year.
Guardian Documentation for Minors
Chinese regulations require all foreign minors under 18 to have a legally resident guardian in China. For most two-parent families, the parents’ own residence permits satisfy this requirement. If your situation is complicated, you might need formal guardian paperwork. This applies if you travel often. It also applies if one parent lives outside China or if your child arrives in China alone. Alifa Education Services helps international students with guardian information. This is for students at schools and universities in China.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. In 2026, there are four French schools in mainland China. All are AEFE-accredited. They are in Beijing, Shanghai (two campuses), Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. All four are open and accepting applications for 2026–2027.
- Lycée français international Charles-de-Gaulle de Pékin (Beijing)
- Lycée français de Shanghai (Shanghai, Qingpu, and Yangpu campuses)
- Lycée français international de Canton (Guangzhou)
- French Program at QSI International School (Shenzhen)
After 2020, many expatriate families left China. This drop in population reduced the demand for French schooling. Smaller programs consolidated or closed. French corporate schools closed. This includes schools run by car makers for factory workers in Wuhan and Xiangfan. They shut down as French industrial operations cut back. The schools still open are the main independent, city-based AEFE-accredited ones. They are stable and running normally in 2026.
Yes. The Lycée français international Charles-de-Gaulle de Pékin is the French school in Beijing (école française Pékin). It’s the main school in China, run by the AEFE as an EGD school. It offers the full French curriculum from maternelle (age 3) to Terminale (age 18).
Yes. The Lycée français de Shanghai is the French school in Shanghai (école française Shanghai). It is the biggest French school in Asia. It has two campuses: Qingpu and Yangpu. Both campuses teach from maternelle to terminale.
Yes. The Lycée français international de Canton (LFIC) is the French school in Guangzhou (école française Canton). It is AEFE-accredited. It offers French education from maternelle to seconde (Year 10). CNED support is available for students in Première and Terminale.
There is no standalone French school in Shenzhen. The French program at QSI International School in Shekou earned AEFE partenaire accreditation in 2024. It is the only AEFE-accredited French school in the city. It provides the French national curriculum for kids starting at age 2. There are in-person classes for children up to age 10. Older students can use CNED distance learning with on-site support.
The AEFE (Agence pour l’enseignement français à l’étranger) is a French government agency. It runs the biggest network of French-accredited international schools in the world. All AEFE-network schools are homologué — accredited by the French Ministry of National Education. This means they teach the official French curriculum and meet French educational standards. Children at AEFE schools can take the Brevet and Baccalauréat exams. They can then rejoin the French school system without needing entrance tests.
Tuition at French schools in China for maternelle and élémentaire is around 89,600 CNY and can go up to 125,000 CNY per year. The Lycée français de Shanghai charges 125,000 CNY for 2026–2027. The Lycée français international de Canton charges 89,600 CNY for maternelle and 101,800 CNY for élémentaire. LFIP Beijing does not share its fee schedule publicly — contact the admissions office for details. First-year registration fees apply in addition to annual tuition at most schools.
CNED (Centre national d’enseignement à distance) offers the French curriculum online from maternelle to Baccalauréat. Your child can learn at home, send work to French teachers online, and take national exams as an independent candidate. The CNED pathway is fully recognised by the French Ministry of National Education. Visit www.cned.fr for enrolment details.
Alifa Education Services
Relocating to China with a school-age child? We can help.
Alifa Education Services helps international families find the right school in China — including French-curriculum options across Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. Our school placement service is free for families (we earn a commission from the school, not from you).
We are also specialists in guardian documentation for foreign minor students enrolled at Chinese schools — a legal requirement under Chinese immigration regulations for children under 18. If you need support with this, contact us directly.
Disclosure: Alifa Education Services is an independent education placement consultancy. We may earn a referral fee from partner schools when families enroll, at no extra cost to the family. Our recommendations are based on fit, not fee structure.
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