2021-08-09
Top 10 Primary Schools in Bordeaux
A guide to the ten most highly regarded primary schools in Bordeaux, from bilingual private institutions to top-rated state schools.

Assomption Sainte-Clotilde Primary School
Assomption Sainte-Clotilde is a private Catholic school located at 370 Boulevard Wilson in Bordeaux, within the leafy Cauderan neighbourhood. Highly regarded by local families, it welcomes children from the age of three and offers an international English-language section, a particularly valuable option for expatriate families settling in Bordeaux. The school places strong emphasis on autonomy, self-confidence, responsibility and community spirit.
Full details are available on the school's website: Assomption Sainte-Clotilde
Flornoy State Primary School
Flornoy is a well-regarded state primary school (ecole publique) at 44 rue Flornoy, close to the Jardin Public. In the French state system, tuition is free and admission is based on catchment area (carte scolaire). Children who stay for lunch can take part in lunchtime activities organised through the local Maison de quartier JSA.
For further information, the school can be reached on 05 56 98 62 17.
Notre-Dame Primary School
Notre-Dame is a private Catholic school under state contract (sous contrat), located at 45 rue du Palais Gallien in Bordeaux's Saint-Seurin district. A state contract means the school follows the national curriculum while maintaining its own educational ethos, and tuition fees remain moderate. Notre-Dame enjoys an excellent reputation and offers virtual tours along with detailed information about its educational projects on its website.
More details at: notredamebordeaux.com
Jules Ferry State Primary School
Jules Ferry is a state school at 101 rue Jules Ferry in Bordeaux, known for its solid reputation. Pupils can enjoy a range of lunchtime activities, with registration handled through O'Ptimomes Loisirs.
The school office can be reached on 05 56 08 13 53.
Saint-Ferdinand Primary School
Saint-Ferdinand is a private Catholic school set within a tree-lined park in Bordeaux Cauderan, at Allee Raymond-Jean Dupouy. The school holds the EcoLabel certification, and environmental awareness is woven into the curriculum from an early age. Its green, village-like setting makes it especially appealing for families with young children.
More information is available at: saint-ferdinand.fr
Dupaty State Primary School
Dupaty is a state school at 74 rue Josephine, in the heart of the Chartrons neighbourhood. Lunchtime activities are available for half-boarders, with registration through the Maison de quartier US Chartrons. The Chartrons area, with its mix of antique shops, wine merchants and renovated warehouses, attracts many international families.
The school can be reached on 05 56 39 47 59.
Saint-Gabriel Primary School
Founded in 1902, Saint-Gabriel is one of the oldest schools in Bordeaux. 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
Paul Lapie State Primary School
Paul Lapie is a reputable state school situated on Place des Martyrs de la Resistance in Bordeaux. It offers before- and after-school care (periscolaire) as well as supervised lunchtime activities, with registration managed through the Maison de quartier AGJA. The availability of wrap-around care is a key consideration for working parents relocating to France.
The school office can be reached on 05 56 08 47 12.
Les Libellules Bilingual Montessori School
Established in 2019, Les Libellules is a French-English bilingual school at 24/26 rue Paul Mamert in Bordeaux. It currently runs one mixed-age elementary class (ages 6 to 9) following the Montessori method, with a focus on independence, creativity and adaptability. For anglophone families seeking a smooth linguistic transition, a bilingual Montessori programme can ease the move considerably.
More information at: ecole-montessori-leslibellules.fr
Condorcet State Primary School
Condorcet is a highly rated state school at 87 rue Condorcet in Bordeaux. Pupils who eat at the school canteen benefit from a variety of activities during the lunch break. Registration is handled through the Maison de quartier Chantecler.
The school can be reached on 05 56 50 32 18.
Choosing the right school often shapes where a family decides to settle. In Bordeaux, many of the most sought-after primary schools sit within neighbourhoods prized for their elegant period apartments and renovated stone houses with gardens, from the family-friendly streets of Cauderan to the characterful quays of the Chartrons. Families looking to live near their children's school will find a wide selection of properties for sale in Bordeaux.
Location is the single most important factor in a family property investment, and in Bordeaux's central neighbourhoods, academic excellence and quality of life go hand in hand. The consultants at BARNES Bordeaux work alongside families at every stage, from the initial property valuation to handing over the keys. The team is available to discuss your project via the contact page.
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