Top 10 Nursery Schools in Bordeaux

Notre-Dame Nursery School

Notre-Dame is a private Catholic nursery school under state contract (sous contrat), located at 45 rue du Palais Gallien in Bordeaux's Saint-Seurin district. Under this arrangement, the school follows the national curriculum while maintaining its own Catholic ethos, and fees remain moderate. It enjoys an excellent reputation and offers virtual tours as well as detailed information about its educational approach on its website.

More details at: notredamebordeaux.com

Lac III State Nursery School

Lac III is a well-regarded state nursery school (ecole maternelle publique) at 41 rue Robert Caumont in Bordeaux, in the Lac neighbourhood. In the French state system, nursery education is free and available from the age of three. Children in the middle and upper sections (moyenne and grande section, ages 4-5) can take part in optional lunchtime activities at no extra cost.

The school can be reached on 05 56 50 22 51.

Assomption Sainte-Clotilde Nursery School

Assomption Sainte-Clotilde is a private Catholic school at 370 Boulevard Wilson in Bordeaux, within the leafy Cauderan area. It welcomes children from the age of three and includes an international English-language section, making it a popular choice among expatriate families. The school emphasises autonomy, self-confidence, responsibility and community spirit.

Full details on the school's website: Assomption Sainte-Clotilde

Alphonse Dupeux State Nursery School

Alphonse Dupeux is a state nursery school at 5 rue Alphonse Dupeux in Bordeaux, with an excellent local reputation. The canteen operates during the lunch break (11.30am to 1.30pm), and children can join a range of free activities including sensory play, games and quiet time. Registration is required.

More information at: bordeaux.fr

Stewart International School

Stewart International School, also known as La Petite Ecole Bilingue, is a private bilingual school in the Chartrons neighbourhood at 45 rue Josephine. All classes are taught in English, offering full immersion from the earliest years. The school also has its own swimming pool, a rare feature in central Bordeaux.

More information at: ecolebilinguebordeaux.com

Menuts State Nursery School

Menuts is a state nursery school at 70 rue des Menuts in Bordeaux. It offers wrap-around care (accueil periscolaire) from 7.30am to 8.30am and from 4.30pm to 6.30pm, managed by the city's municipal staff. This extended timetable is particularly helpful for working parents new to the French school schedule.

The school can be reached on 05 56 91 72 28.

Saint-Ferdinand Nursery School

Saint-Ferdinand is a private Catholic school set within a tree-lined park in Bordeaux Cauderan, at Allee Raymond-Jean Dupouy. It holds the EcoLabel certification, and environmental awareness is embedded in the curriculum from nursery level. The green, village-like setting is especially appealing for young families.

More information at: saint-ferdinand.fr

Nuits State Nursery School

Nuits is a well-reputed state nursery school at 31 rue de Nuits in Bordeaux. It provides a canteen service and free extracurricular activities on registration. The school is also fully accessible for children with disabilities, as noted on the City of Bordeaux website.

The school can be reached on 05 56 86 20 52.

Saint-Gabriel Nursery School

Founded in 1902, Saint-Gabriel is one of Bordeaux's oldest schools. This private Catholic establishment at 68 rue Mondenard, near the Chartrons quays, welcomes around 500 pupils from nursery through to the final year of primary (CM2, age 10-11) and operates under a state association contract.

Further details at: ecolesaintgabriel.com

Les Libellules Bilingual Montessori Nursery

Established in 2019, Les Libellules is a French-English bilingual nursery at 24/26 rue Paul Mamert in Bordeaux. English is introduced through play and small-group activities from the earliest years. The school follows the Montessori method, with a focus on independence, creativity and adaptability. For anglophone families, a bilingual Montessori environment can provide a gentle transition into the French education system.

More information at: ecole-montessori-leslibellules.fr

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For families relocating to Bordeaux, the choice of nursery school often determines which neighbourhood to call home. Areas with the most sought-after schools also tend to offer spacious family apartments and charming stone houses with private gardens. A full selection of family properties is available among the properties for sale in Bordeaux.

Location is the single most important factor in a family property investment, and Bordeaux's residential neighbourhoods combine excellent early-years education with a genuinely family-friendly pace of life. The consultants at BARNES Bordeaux regularly assist international families with their move, from the initial property valuation to settling in. The team is available via the contact page.

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