La Rentrée in France: More Than Just Back to School

What is “La Rentrée” in France? The literal translation of La Rentrée in English is “the return”, but the deeper meaning goes beyond students going back to school. If you’ve been in Paris during August, you know that the city becomes a ghost town as Parisians take their summer vacations. In France, La Rentrée is more than just a word.

For children, it is full of anticipation for the fun and new experiences that lie ahead, as the end of the holidays approaches. They are excited at the thought of seeing their friends again. They want to show off their new school bags, notebooks, and pencils. For others, it means finally growing up, or pretending to, either because it’s their first time or because they’re moving to a different class or school, a moment that can be joyful or stressful, not to mention the separation from mom and dad. There are tears and cries of joy.

For parents, the first word that comes to mind is “organization.” Preparations take place in advance: school supplies, new clothes, babysitters for those who work, the fear of entrusting your little one to someone else, mixed feelings of relief, the time constraints that punctuate the day with trips to and from school, and a social life centered around school.

For many French people, it’s a kind of unofficial “New Year’s Day,” a time to set fresh goals: start a sport, learn a language, sign up for a workshop… or finally tackle that paperwork that’s been waiting since June.

It’s a national moment, an institution that marks the end of summer and the start of a new cycle – whether you’re a student or an employee, a seasoned Parisian or a newcomer.

When Does School Start in France?

The French school system has three zones -Zone A, B, and C- and the academic calendar differs depending on which Zone you live in, during some holiday periods (winter and Easter).

However, La Rentrée is the same across the Hexagon – September 1st.

What Grade is My Child in?

Still confused by the French school system? You’re not alone. Our article on finding the right school for your expat child has loads of resources to help you understand and navigate the school system in France. Here’s a snippet from that article to help you determine which grade your child is in:

French Level	French Level	American Equivalent	Age of Student
Écoles primaires
École maternelle / crèche		Preschool-kindergarden	3-5
École élementaire		Elementary school	6-10
CP	Cours Préparatoire	1st grade	6-7
CE1	Cours élémentaire 1	2nd grade	7-8
CE2	Cours élémentaire 2	3rd grade	8-9
CM1	Cours moyen 1	4th grade	9-10
CM2	Cours moyen 2	5th grade	10-11
Écoles secondaires
Collège		Middle school	11-15
6e	Sixième	6th grade	11-12
5e	Cinquième	7th grade	12-13
4e	Quatrième	8th grade	13-14
3e	Troisième	9th grade	14-15
Lycèe		High school	15-18
2e	Seconde	10th grade	15-16
1e	Première	11th grade	16-17
Terminale		12th grade	17-18

Back to School Shopping for La Rentrée

For parents, La Rentrée scolaire is a major moment: shopping for school supplies (often from a very specific list), registering for extracurricular activities, and buying new clothes. Supermarkets and stationery shops are at their busiest.

Tip for Expats: If your children attend school in France, don’t be surprised by the amount of material requested – and don’t hesitate to ask other parents or the teacher where to find certain mysterious items.

Your child will receive a ‘liste de fournitures‘ or a school supplies list, but not until the first week of school. Of course, it’s best for your child to come into school prepared with the basics. Additionally, we recommend taking advantage of the ‘back to school’ sales in August, especially before everyone has returned from the holiday. 

These supplies include: 

Looking to buy all of your school supplies at once? Check out this website where you can look up your specific school, see your child’s list of supplies, and buy them directly!

Students are also provided with a ‘carnet,’ which is the student’s, teacher’s, and parent’s #1 resource. It includes their school ID, class schedule, tardies, and any notes from teachers or ‘la vie scolaire‘ (school counselor). They’ll need to have their carnet placed on their desk no matter what class they’re in, so make sure it’s always in their bag before they leave home! 

Signing Up for La Cantine

In France, most children eat lunch at school in the cantine (cafeteria). For many expat families, this comes as a welcome surprise: rather than bringing a packed lunch, your child can enjoy a hot, balanced, and often very French meal with their classmates.

How It Works  

• Registration: Cantine enrollment isn’t automatic. You must register through your mairie (town hall) or sometimes directly with the school. This is often done online via the mairie’s family portal (portail famille).
• Timing: Registration usually happens in June for the following school year, but new families can sign up at any time.
• Payment: Fees vary by commune and are usually based on household income. You can expect these meals to cost anywhere from €1-7 per meal. Some mairies ask families to load credit onto an account in advance.

What to Expect  

• Meals are usually multi-course with a starter, a main dish, a side, some cheese/yogurt, and, of course, dessert. Menus are published weekly and often highlight seasonal produce.
• Schools emphasize nutrition and variety: children are encouraged to try everything, but vegetarian options are becoming more common.
• For younger kids (maternelle), teachers and assistants help serve and supervise.

Important Tips for Parents  

• Dietary restrictions: If your child has allergies or medical conditions, you’ll need a doctor’s note and a Projet d’Accueil Individualisé (PAI). In some cases, you may be asked to provide your own meals (panier repas).
• Occasional attendance: Some communes allow flexible attendance (choosing which days your child eats in the cantine), while others require a fixed weekly schedule.
• Absences: If your child is sick, you often need to cancel the cantine meal the same morning before a set cut-off time, otherwise you’ll still be charged.

Health Certificates and Vaccinations for La Rentrée

If you or your children haven’t had a routine check-up recently, La Rentrée is the perfect reminder. In France, you can book an appointment with a médecin traitant (primary doctor) or pédiatre for kids.

• What to discuss: Vision and hearing tests, vaccination updates, chronic condition management, and any concerns that have cropped up over summer.
• Tip for Expats: Make sure you’re registered with l’Assurance Maladie (French health insurance) and have your Carte Vitale – it simplifies reimbursements.

Schools and childcare centers in France require up-to-date vaccinations for children. If your child is new to the French system, check the official vaccine schedule (calendrier vaccinal). Bring any international vaccination records so your doctor can align them with French requirements.

Tip for Expats: Not sure where to find a doctor and schedule an appointment? Check out DoctoLib! It’s the most popular way to book a doctor’s appointment in France, and makes the whole process super simple. You can even receive copies of bills and important documents from your doctor in the app!

Dental and vision checks are often overlooked during the school rush, but they can make a big difference to learning and concentration. Many French health insurance plans (mutuelles) cover routine dental care and glasses for children. For teens and adults, getting your prescription updated before the school year starts can prevent headaches – literally.

Lastly, don’t forget that back-to-school stress is real – for both kids and adults. New teachers, unfamiliar routines, or adjusting to a new country can be overwhelming. Here are some resources to help you and your child(ren) adjust to life in a new country:

• Message Paris – An online forum and community of expat parents in and around Paris! They have in-person events, articles, and great resources for La Rentrée.
• How to Help Your Child Adapt to a New Country – An article from our experts with advice for before and after you move.
• How to Make Friends in Paris – Having an expat community is a huge part of adjusting to life in France. Here are our tips and resources to help you find yours!
• INSPIRELLE’s 2025-2026 Back to School Survival Guide – This excellent article from the online magazine INSPIRELLE has tons of great resources and advice for parents looking to navigate after-school childcare, where to get school supplies, and how to stay organized during this busy time.

Signing Up for Extracurriculars During La Rentrée

Theaters, cinemas, museums, and libraries all unveil their new season’s program. Many towns hold an “association fair” (forum des associations), where you can discover sports clubs, art classes, and volunteer groups – perfect for getting involved and meeting locals.

Make sure to sign up for your child’s extracurricular before spots fill up! Unlike American schools, extracurriculars are often outside of school. However, there are ‘associations’ or clubs that are managed by the school. Clubs like association sportive that take students on field trips to do different sports activities are very popular with students and a great way for them to get out in nature and explore the region. For children that are in collège or lycée, the UNSS system allows them to compete against other schools on Wednesday afternoons or after school. Many options are available for a very small price!

However, most of the activities happen outside school: the most popular in France are swimming, playing a music instrument – often at a local Conservatoire, sports, theater, horseback riding… Many families prioritize a sport, an artistic activity and sometimes allocate some time to after-school tutoring.

In Closing

In short, La Rentrée in France isn’t just a time to go back – it’s a turning point in the year, when everything feels possible. For expatriates, it’s the perfect opportunity to engage with local life, make connections, and start this “new year” the French way.

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