Nestled in the heart of Paris, Cours Molière International School has been nurturing bilingual learners since it was founded in 1926. With campuses in both the leafy Bois de Vincennes and the vibrant Marais, Cours Molière balances calm, green spaces with the cultural heartbeat of the city, ensuring learning extends far beyond the classroom.
We spoke with Dr Samuel Matthews, Head of Curriculum and Admissions Officer at Cours Molière, to gain insight into what makes the school distinctive. In this interview, he shares the school’s educational philosophy, its approach to bilingual education, and how it supports students in developing confidence, resilience, and a lifelong curiosity.
Getting to know Cours Molière International School in Paris
For families discovering Cours Molière for the first time, how would you describe the school and its educational philosophy?
Cours Molière is a bilingual international school in Paris where students grow academically, linguistically and personally. We combine the strengths of the French national curriculum with an international outlook, in a caring environment that values curiosity, effort and confidence. Our philosophy is simple: children learn best when they feel supported, understood and inspired.
What makes your bilingual French-English programme unique compared to other international schools in Paris?
Our programme is built around real bilingual immersion: students don’t just “learn” languages — they live them every day. We blend French academic rigour with Anglophone teaching approaches, creating a dynamic learning environment where students can become confident in both languages while benefiting from the best of both cultures.
Cours Molière emphasises personalised attention and small class sizes. How does this shape the student experience on a daily basis?
Small classes allow teachers to get to know every child — their strengths, needs and interests. This means more interaction, more encouragement and more tailored support. This creates a warm atmosphere and strong relationships in the classroom.
The school welcomes students with a wide range of language backgrounds. How do you support children who join with little or no English (or little or no French)?
A core tenet of the school, since its founding in 1926, has been welcoming students at all language levels. We believe motivation matters more than prior knowledge — as we like to say: Il n’est pas nécessaire d’être bilingue: il suffit d’avoir envie de le devenir (you don’t need to be bilingual, just motivated to become bilingual). With targeted support, gentle immersion and experienced teachers, children quickly build confidence.
You have two campuses in very distinct parts of Paris. Can you tell us about your locations in the Bois de Vincennes area and the heart of the Marais?
Our junior school sits beside the beautiful Bois de Vincennes, the large park in the east of Paris, which offers a calm, green environment for younger children. Our senior school is located in the lively Marais, at the cultural heart of Paris. Both campuses reflect our belief that learning happens everywhere — inside and outside the classroom.
Can you share any stories with us from students who have had memorable bilingual or multilingual learning journeys at Cours Molière?
We have a very diverse student body, with over 35 nationalities represented across Campus Soult and Campus Montmorency. This means that some students arrive with limited skills in either French, English or sometimes both! While the early stages of language learning can be challenging — and students may also have moved from another country, leaving behind family and friends — it’s very satisfying for us to see students gain confidence and ultimately to be able to succeed, whether this means getting the grade they are aiming for or making new friends who speak a different language.
How does the school foster student wellbeing, confidence, and autonomy alongside academic achievement?
Emotional wellbeing, self-confidence and independence are developed through supportive relationships with teachers, responsibility in learning and encouragement to express oneself. When students feel safe and valued, academic success naturally follows.
What opportunities do students have to learn outside the classroom – cultural activities, outdoor learning, or language immersion experiences?
We encourage learning through cultural visits to museums and historic monuments in Paris, outdoor activities, school trips (both in France and abroad) and real-world experiences. Language is constantly practised through projects, sports and excursions — helping students apply what they learn in real contexts and allowing them to develop relationships among their peers.
Cours Molière students can graduate with both the French Baccalaureate and the American High School Diploma. How does this dual qualification prepare them for future studies?
This dual qualification opens doors worldwide, especially because the American part is taught 100% in English, and linguistic comptenance in English opens opportunities for study around the world. An additional diploma makes our students attractive to both French and foreign universities, while the French Bac. is in itself a highly-regarded qualification internationally. Our students are prepared for university systems in France, Europe, the US and beyond.
How do you guide high school students through university choices and applications in France and abroad?
Because of our small class sizes and our pedagogical approach, it’s easy for us to get to know our students. Each student receives personalised guidance to identify the right path for them — whether in France or abroad. We support students with international applications and interview preparation, helping students make informed, confident decisions about their future. We inform students about study opportunities and even host a small university salon at the school.
What do you feel sets Cours Molière apart from other bilingual or international schools in Paris today?
We have a few unique qualities as a school. Our founder Suzanne Decrouez was a pioneer of bilingual education and one of the first female headmistresses in France.
The school is one of the oldest bilingual schools in Paris and yet it has retained a human scale that privileges warm and supportive relationships with students.
In a practical sense too, we are one of the few international schools with campuses in the east and the centre of Paris.
What advice would you give to parents in Paris considering a bilingual education for their children, especially if they are not yet fully bilingual?
Don’t wait for your child to be “ready” — children grow into bilingualism through exposure and encouragement. It’s important to be patient and not rush the process, but also to trust your child. With the right environment, and the right support, children adapt naturally and often surprise even themselves.
Find out more about Cours Molière on the school’s website.
Discover more recommendations for International Schools in Paris.
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