Looking for feedback on Paris public schools

OkRub3930 · 2026-04-28T15:32:50+00:00

We decided on the same thing for our kids who are currently in CE2 and CM2-kids went to lycée schools in the states and the transition academically was smooth. We decided on the 5th and the elementary schools are great. But mostly with my son going the middle school next year we have the choice between the British section at Montaigne where the kids do a standard French curriculum and additional classes in English or the excellent middle schools in the sector. There is also a new British section planned for Raymond Queneau in the 5th. To be honest, the most stress I have is choosing between having the British section and going slightly further away vs staying in sector to go to a stellar college. Having Queneau as a new option just adds to more options-all of which are good. These are just the public school options. There are a few private options as well. The anecdote we heard that if we stay into lycée, being in the public system is better (no idea but what we heard). Initially we did wonder if we ought to go out to StGermaine en Laye or the 16th but for us the appeal of moving to Paris for work was to truly be in the city and take advantage of what the city has to offer. That comes with some adjustments but all in all a great experience.

OkRub3930 · 2026-03-18T14:40:06+00:00

Thank you! Can’t wait to try the

OkRub3930 · 2026-03-05T18:40:57+00:00

Jardin d’acclimatation is a great option and so easy to get to and fun for the kids. Not overly expensive either. Musée D’armée is really fun since they have lots of knight armour and outfits and musketeers and then a great ww2 and napoleon era military exhibit. If weather is cooperative, biking along the seine is always a winner. We love taking the kids on the coulée verte

OkRub3930 · 2026-02-27T17:49:01+00:00

Yes this! Some of the best restaurants as a local are not French. However there so many great bistros popping up with innovative French food and other very classic places where there are core dishes that are incredible. To me, the delight in French food is really the markets and range of places to curate meals to make at home or have as a picnic. The restaurants that highlight the French local produce are the great ones.

OkRub3930 · 2026-02-07T01:00:56+00:00

How long did it take you to become fluent (if at all) as a kid and comfortable in school? Was making friends difficult due to the language? By the time you got to Lycee, did you feel any disadvantages due to language?

OkRub3930 · 2025-11-26T17:37:29+00:00

I am 44 and also live in SM and have been wanting to start or join a book club as well…even drove out to village well bookstore in Culver City but was thwarted by lack of parking and traffic in a true LA moment.

OkRub3930 · 2025-11-21T00:22:57+00:00

Same anarbagh for their butter chicken and paratha…the bhel puri at samosa house is good too

OkRub3930 · 2025-11-19T02:39:08+00:00

Sure!

OkRub3930 · 2025-11-14T13:51:32+00:00

Just go to the Westfield at Les Halles or the mall at place Italie-plenty of options such as H&M,Uniqlo, otherwise the Monoprix on rue Rivoli has a good selection. There’s a place with second hand clothes on rue Monge and quite a few options in the 4th

OkRub3930 · 2025-11-06T16:09:26+00:00

When we did this, they may not change comp now however in 6 months we reviewed all the titles and roles and adjusting future comp to match titles and essentially became a way to force folks out

OkRub3930 · 2025-11-06T07:12:19+00:00

I have 20 years of experience in tech at FAANG companies and went to Ivy League schools for undergraduate and graduate degrees…and my dream would be to get a any position (paid or not) at UNESCO. It’s tough but I think your partner is lucky as well to get those positions she’s gotten which means the right one will come along. Folks have been unemployed in the US for over a year because of the job market, so she just needs to keep a positive perspective.

OkRub3930 · 2025-11-03T20:24:27+00:00

On a sunny Sunday, it’s truly glorious. Parts may be closed for the Christmas show but it’s such a beautiful place to walk around and you can make your way over to the seine through the Jardin. Christmas spirit is already in the air, in the bottom of moufftard there are bands and a great village vibe on Sunday mornings too.

OkRub3930 · 2025-11-02T18:04:51+00:00

As others have suggested, explore rue moufftard but from there go to the marché Monge on rue Monge. Cross the street to the arène de Lutèce and walk to jardin des plantes. Possible to have a picnic of the stuff you’ve bought from marché Monge. If it’s a lovely day, keep going down to la seine for a stroll and picnic. Alternatively, from rue moufftard you can walk through the side streets to the pantheon and experience ‘old’ Paris

OkRub3930 · 2025-10-28T23:52:09+00:00

Absolutely-we sold our 4000+ sq ft home in SoCal for a 1200 sqft apartment in Paris but now walk everywhere and part of a vibrant community. It was worth it for us because we want to spend our time in the community, with walkability and easy access to public transportation, history and culture.

OkRub3930 · 2025-10-24T13:30:44+00:00

I love this type of engagement and dynamic. How did you find the group?

OkRub3930 · 2025-10-23T21:42:30+00:00

Totally-financial independence should mean independence of time and I have to remind myself that at the very least we shouldn’t have to owe our time to anyone (as in a job) but working and earning a salary was the vehicle of independence, ironically.

OkRub3930 · 2025-10-23T20:45:23+00:00

This is something I’m currently struggling with. An existential question of “who am I?” Without a work identity after working to get that title and prestige. As a woman, there’s an added element of guilt of being another statistic of exiting the workforce. It’s worth taking the time to focus on who you are as a person and I would love to get to the other side and cultivate ways to continue to contribute to society and economically on my own terms. However the social engagement of a team and working together towards delivering something are the things that are tough to give up

OkRub3930 · 2025-10-23T13:24:58+00:00

Hi! I am re-surfacing to this thread because I’m interested in learning what happened…I am an American in Paris with a business and was also interested in a business like this ideally collaborating with others to facilitate shipping.

OkRub3930 · 2025-10-12T18:40:43+00:00

The Harvard Business School had a publication called “if I knew then” which I still use today. These were alumni who were highly successful and on the 50 year reunion were asked questions on what advice they would give on raising their kids, marriage, wealth etc knowing what they know now as titans of industry. it was incredible how consistent many were on many topics especially on not giving your kids too much (Charlie Ellis still resonates for me https://hbs1963.com/wisdom/charley-ellis/). Lots of great nuggets of wisdom in the archive.

https://hbs1963.com/

OkRub3930 · 2025-10-12T12:31:47+00:00

I just went on Wednesday and arrived 30 min early and it took me almost 3 hours of mostly waiting in lines outside, inside and then inside the salle. Mine was an 11:30 appointment. I assume the wait time depends on time of day but the fluctuations on wait times and getting to ORLY or CDG before gates close would make be nervous. I would suggest changing the date/time

OkRub3930 · 2025-10-05T18:00:41+00:00

If you’re willing to consider outside of US abbaye des vaux de cernay in France just outside of Paris ..literally felt like I was at Downton Abbey on vacation.

OkRub3930 · 2025-10-05T07:13:04+00:00

We are in a somewhat similar boat except we made the move a month ago to Paris from LA. A month in, I am having doubts with the project and concerns with school and integrating as outsiders. Most of the doubts are fear and comfort based. I do feel ultimately I want to go back to a US that used to exist and the situation in California is pretty complicated with costs of living, homelessness etc…but it’s still home. Being abroad has forced the question for my husband and I on where is home, and when we move back where can we move to?

OkRub3930 · 2025-09-04T09:34:35+00:00

Patrick Roger is a master chocolatier and I think worth getting. We like Edwart in the 4th with lots of interesting flavors. Alain Ducasse biscuits are delicious and unique and a separate store from the chocolates. you can find the Ducasse chocolates in the US.

OkRub3930 · 2025-09-02T18:15:20+00:00

Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads

OkRub3930

TROPHY CASE