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Clubs Cultural and Language, Community and Service, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Primary School
Introduction
Être et Découvrir is a non-profit international Montessori school located on the private grounds of the Château de Saint-Nom-la-Bretèche, west of Paris. Founded in 1986, it serves children aged 2 to 12 across three Montessori programs: Toddler Community (2–3.5 years), Children's House (3–6 years), and Elementary School (6–12 years). The school operates in two buildings (Cottage and Orangerie) with purpose-built spaces for reading, mathematics, language, geography, science, art and music, plus a library and a music room offering private piano and violin lessons. Classes are bilingual in English and French, with teaching teams that foster independence, self-confidence and problem-solving. The elementary curriculum supports entry to French collèges and bilingual or international secondary options. The campus features pedagogical gardens, small class sizes, and Eco-Ecole certification, emphasizing hands-on learning and nature-based activities. As a not-for-profit association, parent involvement is encouraged, and the school is affiliated with the Association Montessori de France. It is near Versailles and La Défense and prioritizes a multicultural bilingual environment.
13 Bis Rue Lecoq, 78860 Saint-Nom-la-Bretèche, France
The Essentials
Etre et Découvrir Ecole International Bilingual Montessori School has instruction in French, English.
Stages
Preschool and Primary (Montessori bilingual)
Type
Non-profit international Montessori school
Country affiliation
France
Fees
Annual tuition at Etre et Découvrir Ecole International Bilingual Montessori School ranges from EUR 5,200 to EUR 7,350 for 2026/27.
Application and registration fees - Entry fee (first year only, per child): EUR 650. Fees are payable upon enrolment and are non-refundable. - Annual membership / association registration fee (per child): EUR 630. This annual contribution covers Montessori materials and school supplies and is payable on enrolment; it is non-refundable.
Tuition fees (standard day programme) - Billing basis: Tuition is collected by monthly direct debit over 10 months (SEPA direct debit); meals and after-school care are not included in the tuition amounts. Equivalent annual and per-term figures are shown below (annual = monthly × 10; per-term = annual ÷ 3).
- Toddler community (ages 2–3½, 08:50–11:45) - Monthly: EUR 520 - Annual (10 months): EUR 5,200 - Per term (annual ÷ 3): EUR 1,733.33
- Children's House (ages 3–6, half day, 08:40–13:00) - Monthly: EUR 580 - Annual (10 months): EUR 5,800 - Per term (annual ÷ 3): EUR 1,933.33
- Children's House (ages 3–6, full day, 08:40–15:45) - Monthly: EUR 735 - Annual (10 months): EUR 7,350 - Per term (annual ÷ 3): EUR 2,450.00
Family discounts (siblings) - Discount rules: -10% for the second registered child; -20% for the third (and subsequent) registered child. The school publishes sibling monthly rates as follows.
- Toddler community (2–3½): - Second child monthly: EUR 470 — Annual: EUR 4,700 — Per term: EUR 1,566.67 - Third (and subsequent) child monthly: EUR 420 — Annual: EUR 4,200 — Per term: EUR 1,400.00
- Children's House (3–6, half day): - Second child monthly: EUR 525 — Annual: EUR 5,250 — Per term: EUR 1,750.00 - Third child monthly: EUR 465 — Annual: EUR 4,650 — Per term: EUR 1,550.00
- Children's House (3–6, full day): - Second child monthly: EUR 665 — Annual: EUR 6,650 — Per term: EUR 2,216.67 - Third child monthly: EUR 595 — Annual: EUR 5,950 — Per term: EUR 1,983.33
- Elementary (6–12): - Second child monthly: EUR 665 — Annual: EUR 6,650 — Per term: EUR 2,216.67 - Third child monthly: EUR 595 — Annual: EUR 5,950 — Per term: EUR 1,983.33
After-school care and optional services - After-school care (annual commitment, 36 weeks). Annual fee billed by monthly direct debit over 10 months; up to 50% of these fees may be tax-deductible for children under 6 (tax rules apply separately). - 1 day/week (fixed) - Until 17:00 — Annual: EUR 300 (≈ EUR 8.33 per session) - Until 17:40 — Annual: EUR 500 (≈ EUR 13.88 per session) - 4 days/week - Until 17:00 — Annual: EUR 1,050 (≈ EUR 7.29 per session) - Until 17:40 — Annual: EUR 1,750 (≈ EUR 12.15 per session)
- On-demand after-school care (48 hours booking notice) - Per session (charged monthly by direct debit): - Until 17:00 / 15:45–17:00 — EUR 10 per session - 15:45–17:40 — EUR 17 per session.
- Organic catering (meals): EUR 8 per meal. Meals are billed by monthly direct debit; meal prices are set by the catering partner and may fluctuate.
Boarding - Boarding is not applicable; this is a day school for children aged 2–11.
Other costs and typical extras - School materials and routine classroom supplies are covered in part by the annual membership fee (EUR 630). No separate uniform fee is listed among the published charges; meals, after-school care, and optional activities are additional and charged as detailed above.
Refunds and non-refundable items - Entry fee (EUR 650) and annual membership/registration fee (EUR 630) are non-refundable. No other specific refund rules are published in the fee schedule provided.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Standard tuition: monthly SEPA direct debit over 10 months, with the first direct-debit cycle commencing in August (collections begin from 20 August). Meals and after-school are charged separately (monthly direct debit). Entry and membership fees are payable at enrolment by bank transfer or cheque. Optional services with annual commitment are billed by monthly direct debit over 10 months.
Accepted payment methods - SEPA direct debit (monthly tuition, after-school and catering), bank transfer, and cheque for enrolment payments.
Academics
Etre et Découvrir Ecole International Bilingual Montessori School teaches Montessori Curriculum for students aged 2 to 12.
Curriculum
Montessori education across three age groups: Toddler Community (2-3 1/2 years), Children's House (3-6 years), and Elementary School (6-12 years). Classes are bilingual in English and French, taught by an experienced teaching team. In the elementary years, students learn in both languages and prepare for entry to secondary schools, including French collèges and bilingual or international options. The school operates in two buildings on the private grounds of the Château de Saint-Nom-la-Bretèche, with a pedagogical garden and dedicated spaces for reading, mathematics, language, geography, science, art, and music. It maintains an Eco-Ecole label and emphasizes small class sizes to provide personalized attention.
Student Teacher Ratio
Small class sizes ensure personalised attention.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school fosters holistic development within a nurturing, multicultural, bilingual French-English environment. A dedicated team of French- and English-speaking educators adheres to the Montessori philosophy, supporting academic and social growth. Students are encouraged to explore their potential, build self-confidence, develop independence, and enhance problem-solving skills. Small class sizes provide personalised attention and enable close relationships with educators. The school maintains a family-friendly atmosphere and collaborates with parent member families to ensure every child enjoys their school experience and develops a lifelong love of learning.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school teaches in both English and French; students learn in English and French in the elementary years within a Montessori-inspired environment, preparing them for secondary school in bilingual settings. The teaching team includes both Francophone and Anglophone educators.
Mental Wellbeing
The school supports mental wellbeing through a nurturing, inclusive environment and strong collaboration with families. It emphasizes self-confidence, independence, and social development as part of its Montessori approach, and maintains a warm, family-friendly atmosphere with regular events and activities that foster community.
Safeguarding
The school is registered with the Academy of Versailles under number 0783701Z and is regularly inspected by the National Education Services. It is a member of the Association Montessori de France.
Admissions
Admissions
The school is Be and Discover International Bilingual Montessori School. It operates as a private, independent international bilingual Montessori school. It is run as a not-for-profit association (loi 1901) with a board of governors made up of current and former parents.
Scholarships
-
Waitlist
Enrolment may occur during the school year subject to space availability.
FAQs
What pedagogy does the school follow?
Montessori education is offered across three age groups: Toddler Community (2-3.5 years), Children's House (3-6 years), and Elementary (6-12 years).
What age range does the school serve?
The school serves children aged 2 to 12, from the Toddler Community through Elementary education.
Is the school bilingual?
Yes, the school provides bilingual Montessori education combining international and French educational approaches.
