IB Curriculum International Schools in Lyon, France
Compare 5 IB Curriculum international schools in Lyon, France. Filter by curriculum, fees (average EUR 12,382), location, and more to find the right international school now.
Ombrosa International School - Lycee Multilingue De Lyon
Oldest
Ombrosa International School - Lycee Multilingue De Lyon (1971)
About international schools in Lyon, France
Families choosing IB schools in Lyon will find a small, local market: the city area is served by a handful of authorised IB providers rather than a large cluster of international campuses, so continuity through every age depends on the school you pick. English-medium and bilingual models are the norm - one long-established English-medium school in Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon runs the IB Primary Years and the IB Diploma, while a separate multilingual private school in the Caluire/Caluire-et-Cuire area is authorised for the Diploma Programme. Annual tuition at private IB providers in the Lyon area typically runs from the low thousands for early years to the high teens or low twenties of thousands of euros for upper-secondary/DP years, with additional one-off enrolment or capital assessment fees and mandatory extras. Admissions follow the usual international-school rhythm: main intake in September, applications and language/entry assessments in the spring or earlier, and a non-refundable application fee plus a refundable deposit or capital fee at offer stage, so plan paperwork and visa timing well before arrival.
How many IB schools are there in Lyon and which IB programmes do they run?
Lyon’s IB provision is limited compared with Paris or other large expat hubs; a small number of local private schools hold IB authorisation. One English-medium independent school in the Lyon suburbs is authorised for the IB Primary Years Programme and the IB Diploma, while a multilingual private school in the Caluire area is authorised for the IB Diploma.
What languages of instruction and language support can we expect?
You should expect English and French to be the principal languages across Lyon’s IB schools: an English-medium pathway is available from early years through DP at the main international school, while other private providers operate bilingual or multilingual programmes. Schools commonly teach French at differentiated levels for non-native speakers and provide English-language support or mother-tongue provision where numbers justify it.
What are typical fees and what extras should we budget for?
Published school schedules for 2026 - 27 show tuition varying by age: early years fees sit at several thousand euros a year while secondary and DP years can reach the high-teens to low-twenties of thousands of euros, and most schools add a one-off capital/enrolment fee and mandatory insurance or material charges. Expect additional costs for school transport, examination registration, certain trips and specialised learning support, and check whether your employer covers private-payer versus company-sponsored fee rates.
When should we apply and what does the admissions process usually involve?
Most international IB schools in Lyon operate a September intake, so families relocating should start applications in the late winter or spring to secure a place and complete language and academic assessments. Admissions typically require two years of school reports or transcripts, an application fee, an assessment interview or entry test, and payment of a capital or enrolment fee to accept an offer.
What is the difference between the IB Diploma and the French OIB (Option Internationale du Baccalauréat)?
The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is an International Baccalaureate qualification delivered and assessed by the IB Organisation; the OIB is a special, internationally-oriented option within the French national baccalauréat that adds advanced language and literature and history/geography in a partner language. The OIB is administered within the French national system and is not the same as the IB DP, so families should check university recognition and the language profile they prefer when choosing between these routes.
