Cities / Madrid / Lycee Francais de Madrid
Lycee Francais de Madrid
The flagship French curriculum school in Madrid, AEFE affiliated, dating to 1884 and serving roughly 4,100 students across two campuses. Two sites, the main Conde de Orgaz campus in Hortaleza and the Saint Exupery secondary in La Moraleja, with around 70 nationalities represented.
In brief
The flagship French-curriculum school in Madrid, AEFE-affiliated, dating to 1884 and serving roughly 4,100 students across two campuses.
Two sites, the main Conde de Orgaz campus in Hortaleza and the Saint-Exupery secondary in La Moraleja, with around 70 nationalities represented. Teaching is trilingual: French and Spanish from maternelle, English added in primary, and most graduates leave bilingual French-Spanish with strong English. The Baccalaureat results sit in the very high band, with pass rates near 99% and a large majority earning honours.
Families describe rigorous academics, broad extracurriculars, professional teachers and a secure, well-run setting typical of large AEFE lycees. Governance has tightened parent consultation on the budget since 2021/22. The school is huge by Madrid international standards, and families wanting a small intimate environment will not find that here. Parking near Conde de Orgaz is genuinely awkward at drop-off. Natural fit for French families and for any household committed to the French system long-term.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Maternelle (ages 3-5) | 3 | €6,700 |
| Elementaire (ages 6-10) | 6 | €6,200 |
| College (ages 11-14) | 11 | €7,200 |
| Lycee (ages 15-18) | 15 | €7,650 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| First Enrolment Fee (Maternelle/Elementaire) | €1,600 | |
| First Enrolment Fee (College/Lycee) | €1,785 |
Reviews
- Parents describe the school as one of the largest in Spain and value the methodology and academic results.
- Alumni and parents mention strong outcomes and lasting French-language fluency, with bilingual products pursuing careers across France and Spain.
- The aggregated review pool is small, and feedback skews positive but is not detailed enough to surface consistent themes beyond academics and size.
- One adult who studied there said his Madrid-acquired French accent was used against him by hiring managers in Paris, a niche signal about how French-system Spanish accents land in France.
Positives
- Academic strength. Parents and alumni cite strong teaching, results and an established methodology stretching back over a century.
- Bilingual outcomes. Graduates are reported to leave with near-native French alongside Spanish.
Considerations
- Scale. Often described as one of Spain's largest schools, which parents read as a sign of resources but not of personal attention.
- Accent perception. One alumnus reported being told by Paris recruiters that his Spanish-influenced French accent was a problem in client-facing roles.
Leadership
Gilles Martinez
Gilles Martinez has been the Proviseur of the Lycée Français de Madrid since August 2024. With an extensive career in the AEFE network, he previously served as Proviseur at the Lycée Français de Prague (2016–2021), the Lycée Français de Kuala Lumpur (2011–2016), and the Lycée Français Jean d'Alembert in Viña del Mar, Chile (2002–2008). He also directed the Lycée Emmanuel de Las Cases in France. A graduate in Modern Literature (DEA) from the University of Nice, his leadership has been marked by significant infrastructure development, such as the construction of new kindergartens and media centers, and successfully navigating schools through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Accreditations
- Agence pour l'enseignement français à l'étranger 01
Academic results
- Result 99.7% success rate in the French Baccalaureate (93% with honors/mentions)
- Result 99% success rate in the Diplôme National du Brevet.