The Guide
Sat, 16 May 2026

Cities / Geneva / Institut International Notre-Dame du Lac

Institut International Notre-Dame du Lac

Catholic trilingual primary school in Cologny, founded in 1946 on the 18th-century Boissier estate, offering French-first education with English from age 4 and German from age 8 for around 300 children aged 3-11. Day fees run from approximately CHF 12,860…


Curriculum
French
Fees, annual
CHF 13–19k
Ages
3 to 11
Pupils
~300
Founded
1946

A French-tradition Catholic primary on the 18th century Boissier estate in Cologny overlooking Lake Geneva, open since 1946 and welcoming around 300 children aged 3 to 11.

Bilingual French-English from age three, with German added from age eight. Class sizes between 15 and 20. From age seven children sit an entrance test in French, mathematics and English to confirm they can keep up with the curriculum. The framing is unambiguous: tradition, high standards, discipline and rigour are the core values, alongside a Catholic identity carried lightly.

The setting is the obvious selling point. Lakeside grounds in Cologny, a historic estate, and a small enough school that the head and teachers know every child. The NDL++ club layers in extra-curriculars at lunch, after school and during holidays. The school suits families who want a structured French-medium primary with English alongside, and who are comfortable with the entrance assessment from age seven. There is no secondary phase here, so families need a plan for age 11 onwards.


Fee Age Type Amount
Day school (lower years) 3 Annual CHF 12,860
With half-board (lower years) 3 Annual CHF 15,855
Day school (upper years) 8 Annual CHF 15,760
With half-board (upper years) 8 Annual CHF 18,755

Head of school

Nicolas Nové-Josserand

Located in an exceptional and green setting, on the hillside of Cologny, the International Institute Notre-Dame du Lac has always aimed for academic excellence and the development of everyone. My dynamic and innovative team as well as myself are involved on a daily basis to prepare our students to be committed and responsible players in the world of today and tomorrow.


Chemin Notre-Dame du Lac 5, 1223 Cologny, Geneva, Switzerland

School website