In this episode of the Worldschooling Q&A podcast, Astrid and Clint share what worldschooling in France looked like for our family during a month-long stay.

Worldschooling Q&A Podcast - Episode 31

Hosts: Astrid & Clint, creators of The Wandering Daughter

Title: Episode 31: How Do We Worldschool in France?

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Worldschooling Podcast Episode Summary

France may not have been a perfect trip. Paris in July turned out to be one of the hottest weeks on record there. But it was still full of the kinds of moments worldschooling families live for.

In this episode, we cover the logistics of worldschooling in France during our month-long stay, including Schengen rules, easy driving, and a mix of house-sitting and Airbnbs. Then we move into the highlights we actually loved: castles dotting the countryside, a visit to Versailles that became a conversation about wealth and the French Revolution, wandering the medieval walled town of Perouges, and a few days in Chamonix with views of Mont Blanc.

Lyon gets its own section, and deserves it. We make the case for it as an underrated base for worldschooling in France, with a strong museum scene (the Confluence science museum, a puppet museum, a miniature model of the city), and the ancient riverside quarter of Vieux-Lyon. Paris, despite the circumstances, still offered the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and one of the first immersive art experiences we had ever seen. That was a Hokusai and Van Gogh projection show that predated the trend.

We are candid that we want to give the city another chance, and reflective about not having had the time to explore Paris's postcolonial immigrant communities the way we did in Spain and the UK.

Getting the logistics right for worldschooling in France

France is a large, well-connected country that is genuinely accessible for families. Understanding a few practical details ahead of time makes worldschooling in France feel a lot more manageable from day one.

Schengen rules, language, and getting around

As part of the Schengen Zone, France allows families up to 90 days, which you can split across multiple Schengen countries. Most people fly into Paris, but there are other major airports around the country. France has an excellent train system, and you can even travel by car from the UK through the Channel Tunnel.

Once there, renting a car in France is straightforward, though road signs in French can be a challenge. One thing we learned the hard way is that many roads in cities like Lyon are one-way, so missing an exit can cost you quite a bit of time.

Lodging, money, and safety

Like much of Europe, France offers a mix of inns, Airbnbs, and villas for families. Hotel rooms tend to be small, so larger families may need two rooms. France uses euros, and while cards are widely accepted, having some cash on hand is still helpful.

Safety generally feels similar to other Western European countries. Paris does see more petty theft, as most major cities do, but overall our family felt comfortable throughout our time there. One note: there is a national pride around French language and culture, so making an effort with even a few French phrases goes a long way.

History and culture: where worldschooling in France really shines

France is an extraordinary place for families who want to connect travel with learning. The history here is layered, visible, and genuinely engaging for kids of all ages.

Castles, the Palace of Versailles, and conversations about inequality

One of the most striking parts of worldschooling in France was simply driving through the countryside and passing castles. For families from North America, it is hard to describe how different that feels. It is just not something we encounter in our day-to-day lives at home.

The Palace of Versailles was a highlight that went beyond the beautiful gardens and gilded rooms. Afterward, we had a real conversation with our kids about the French Revolution, about who was living in luxury and who was not, and about what that means for how power works. That kind of spontaneous, experience-driven learning is exactly what worldschooling in France makes possible.

Medieval towns: stepping back in time at Perouges

As a day trip from Lyon, we visited Perouges, a walled medieval town that genuinely feels like stepping back in time. Unlike preserved historical sites in the US, places like Perouges still have modern businesses operating within their ancient walls. That juxtaposition of old and new is something kids respond to instinctively. It sparks questions, conversations, and a kind of learning that no textbook can replicate. For families interested in medieval history, worldschooling in France offers plenty of towns like this to explore.

Nature and slow travel: another side of worldschooling in France

France is not only a country of history and culture. Its natural landscapes offer their own kind of classroom.

The French Alps and Chamonix

We spent a couple of days in Chamonix, and the views of Mont Blanc were genuinely stunning. The French Alps offer a completely different experience from the city-based parts of our trip, and one that grounded us in the natural geography of the region. For families who love being outdoors, worldschooling in France through its mountain landscapes is well worth building into your plans.

A dormant volcano near Lyon

While housesitting with kids outside Lyon, we borrowed the owner's car and explored nearby nature parks. One walk took us to a dormant volcano, which honestly surprised us. We did not expect that kind of landscape in France. Climbing up and looking out over the rolling hills and fields was a beautiful reminder that worldschooling in France is about more than museums and monuments. Nature is part of the lesson too.

Lyon: an underrated base for worldschooling in France

If you are planning worldschooling in France, Lyon deserves serious consideration as your home base. Most families head straight to Paris or the Mediterranean coast, but we found Lyon to be one of the most family-friendly and genuinely interesting cities we have ever stayed in.

Museums and cultural experiences in Lyon

Lyon has a remarkable museum scene for a city that does not always make the top of travel lists. The Confluence science museum was a standout for our family. We also visited a puppet museum, a movie prop museum, and a miniature recreation of the city itself, which the kids absolutely loved. These are the kinds of hands-on, curiosity-driven experiences that make worldschooling in France so rewarding.

Vieux-Lyon and slow travel done right

The old quarter of Lyon, known as Vieux-Lyon, runs along the river and has a quiet, historic atmosphere that reminded us of visiting Kyoto with kids. It can get busy with tourists in one concentrated stretch, but step off that main strip and you are essentially living in a French city with very little tourist traffic. That is slow travel at its best, and exactly the kind of worldschooling in France experience we were looking for. We were there long enough to build routines, notice daily rhythms, and feel genuinely settled, which changed the whole quality of what we learned.

Paris: honest reflections on worldschooling in France's most famous city

We went to Paris for a week, and we will be honest: it was not our best experience. We arrived in July during what turned out to be the hottest week ever recorded in the city. Apartments in Paris do not have air conditioning, and spending a week in temperatures equivalent to 120 degrees Fahrenheit with no relief was genuinely hard. Most of our time was spent in the metro and shopping centres just trying to stay cool.

Despite that, Paris still delivered some memorable worldschooling moments. The Louvre was breathtaking. We visited an early immersive art experience featuring the work of Hokusai and Van Gogh, the kind of projection-based show that has since spread around the world, but that felt genuinely new at the time. We also reflected on what we did not get to experience: the postcolonial immigrant communities that have shaped Paris in the same way they shaped London and cities in Spain. That is something we want to come back for. We are giving Paris another chance.

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Key topics covered in this episode

Getting started with worldschooling in France

• France's place in the Schengen Zone and what that means for longer stays
• Language considerations and the importance of learning basic French phrases
• Options for getting around, including trains, driving, and the Channel Tunnel

Practical logistics for families

• Accommodation options including Airbnbs, villas, and small inns
• Using cards and cash in France
• Safety considerations for families, including Paris-specific tips

History and culture as a worldschooling classroom

• What it means to pass castles on an ordinary drive through the French countryside
• The Palace of Versailles as a starting point for conversations about wealth, power, and revolution
• Medieval walled towns like Perouges and how they bring history to life

Lyon as a worldschooling base

• The Confluence science museum and other family-friendly museums in Lyon
• Vieux-Lyon as a model for slow, immersive travel
• House-sitting as a practical and affordable option for longer stays
• Navigating one-way roads and the logistics of driving in the city

Nature and the French landscape

• Chamonix, the French Alps, and Mont Blanc
• Discovering a dormant volcano on a day trip near Lyon
• How natural landscapes add depth to worldschooling in France

Honest reflections on Paris

• Visiting during a record-breaking heat wave in July
• The Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and an early immersive Hokusai and Van Gogh experience
• What we wished we had explored more: postcolonial communities and immigrant culture
• Why we want to give Paris another chance

Chapters

00:00:00 - Introduction
00:00:20 - Welcome to Worldschooling Q&A
00:01:25 - Today's Question: How Do I World School in France?
00:01:39 - France Overview: Size, Geography & Getting There
00:02:09 - Logistics: Schengen Zone, Language & Getting Around
00:04:32 - Lodging, Money & Safety
00:07:26 - Castles, History & the Palace of Versailles
00:10:04 - Medieval Towns: Walking Through Perouges
00:12:35 - Nature: French Alps, Chamonix & a Dormant Volcano
00:13:38 - Lyon: Underrated Museums, Vieux-Lyon & Slow Travel Done Right
00:17:06 - Source of Intro Clip: Paris in July & the Hottest Day in History
00:21:47 - Outro & How to Support the Show

Further worldschooling resources

• An Easy Paris 3 Day Itinerary For Families
• 12 Awesome Things To Do In Lyon With Kids
• 9 Valuable Tips for Driving In France With Your Family

Support the podcast

• Join The Wandering Daughter on Patreon for episode transcripts, extra resources, and live office hours with Astrid and Clint.
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• Leave a five-star review to help others discover the podcast.
• Submit your worldschooling questions to our podcast page.

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