Cities / Phnom Penh / Lycée Français René Descartes
Lycée Français René Descartes
Phnom Penh's French state school, founded in 1951 and accredited by the Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE), serving around 1,290 students from Kindergarten through Terminale following the French national curriculum. 2026-27 tuition for non-French/Cambodian families runs from US$7,638 (Primary)…
In brief
LFRD is the AEFE-homologated French school in Phnom Penh, founded in 1951, running the full French national curriculum from maternelle through terminale. Around 1,290 students, with a Section Internationale Américaine leading to the Baccalauréat Français International.
The school operates under agreement with AEFE and is governed by an elected parent Comité de Gestion. Daily Khmer is built into the timetable, and English, Spanish and Chinese run alongside. A small boarding house opened in September 2023 for students from 3ème to terminale. Fees run roughly USD 7,600 to USD 10,150 a year. Head of establishment Thierry Junca.
Families value the academic rigour, the credible international section, and graduate placement at universities across Europe and beyond. The grumbles that surface most often are around the strict vie scolaire culture and the secondary cafeteria. Loyalty among long-tenure students is real. Best fit for francophone or French-system-committed families who want a full French baccalauréat pathway in Phnom Penh with a credible English-stream option built in.
Fees
| Fee | Age | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten 1-3 / Primary (other nationalities) | 3 | Annual | $7,638 |
| Middle School - Grades 6-9 (other nationalities) | 11 | Annual | $8,981 |
| High School - Terminale (other nationalities) | 15 | Annual | $10,151 |
| Annual Re-enrolment Fee | One-time | $571 | |
| First Enrolment Fee (other nationalities) | One-time | $3,042 |
Reviews
- Sole AEFE-conventionné lycée in Cambodia, in operation since 1951. Parent-governed through an elected Comité de Gestion.
- Reviews skew positive on teaching staff and the multilingual environment. Recurring praise for school-life events and the celebratory atmosphere.
- Recurring criticisms cluster on the secondary cafeteria service and a vie scolaire (student-life office) seen as inflexible.
- Fees are a frequent talking point and seen as high by Cambodian standards.
Head of school
M. Thierry JUNCA
M. Thierry JUNCA welcomes you to the Lycée Français René Descartes, emphasizing the school's commitment to excellence, openness, and the promotion of French language and culture. The school has been preparing students since 1951 to adapt to a rapidly changing world, fostering diversity and inclusion.
Accreditations
- Agence pour l'enseignement français à l'étranger 01
Academic results
- Result 100% success rate in both the Baccalauréat and the Diplôme National du Brevet (DNB).