Why Raising a Child in Paris Might Be the Best Decision You Ever Make

Written by a Koenig Parent

When my husband first brought up the possibility of his company transferring us to Paris, my immediate thought wasn't about croissants or the Eiffel Tower, it was about our five-year-old daughter Maya. Would she adapt to a new language? Would she thrive in a completely different educational system? Would this bold move set her up for success or leave her struggling to catch up? After two and a half years here, watching Maya flourish into a confident, bilingual seven-year-old, I can say with certainty that moving to Paris was one of the best decisions we've made as a family. Here are my reasons why.

L'École Koenig - The School That Became Her Second Home

Finding L'École Koenig felt like discovering a hidden gem in the world of international education. During our initial visit, I watched Maya, then a cautious five-year-old, join a group of children who were exploring Scandinavia through music and movement. They were learning about fjords and northern lights while singing songs about different countries, their natural creativity flowed seamlessly into geographical discovery. Within twenty minutes, Maya was pointing out Norway on a map while humming a tune about reindeer, completely absorbed in this multi-sensory approach to learning.

What sets Koenig apart isn't only their reputation as Paris' only research-backed music and arts primary school, it's their deep understanding that children learn best when they feel genuinely seen and valued. With their intimate 1:8 teacher-student ratio, Maya's teachers have watched her evolve from a hesitant kindergartner into a confident second-grader who raises her hand eagerly and helps newer students find their footing.

The bilingual immersion has been extraordinary to witness. She now switches effortlessly between languages, translating words and thinking in both English and French. She'll explain complex ideas about her community science projects in French and then dive into creative storytelling in English. The musical foundation of her education has strengthened everything else: her mathematical reasoning, her language retention, and her ability to collaborate and perform confidently.

What moves me most is watching Maya's emotional intelligence flourish in this environment. She's learned to navigate cultural differences with grace, advocate for herself when she needs help, and celebrate her classmates' diverse backgrounds with curiosity.

Paris City Life Shapes Character

Two and a half years in, Maya moves through Paris with the confidence of a local. She knows which bakery makes the best croissants aux amandes. She can give directions to lost tourists in two languages, and navigates the metro system with an ease that amazes our visiting relatives. She’s developing real-world problem-solving skills and cultural fluency that will serve her anywhere she goes.

Our neighborhood has become Maya's extended classroom. She's built relationships with shop owners who've watched her grow from a shy five-year-old into a chatty seven-year-old who confidently orders her own pastries and asks thoughtful questions about how things work. These daily interactions have taught her that the world is full of interesting people with stories to share.

The Luxembourg Gardens remain our family's gathering place, but Maya's relationship with the space has evolved. Where she once needed my help navigating the playground equipment, she now organizes elaborate games with friends from school and creates art projects with fallen leaves. We play sport together and she loves to sketch the fountain and push the wooden toy boats around.

French family culture has reshaped our priorities in the best possible ways. Maya has learned the art of savoring meals, engaging in thoughtful conversation, and appreciating quality time without constant entertainment. She understands that weekends are for exploration and rest, not endless scheduled activities.

Raising a Global Citizen

Life in Paris has helped Maya develop a sophisticated understanding of cultural nuance that goes far beyond surface-level diversity. She has friends from all over the world, including: Israel, England, Senegal, Norway, Italy, Qatar, Ireland, Sweden, Japan, China, and France (of course). These genuine connections have broadened Maya's worldview in profound ways.

She now approaches unfamiliar situations with curiosity rather than anxiety. When we travel, she naturally looks for ways to connect with local customs and tries to learn basic phrases in new languages. She's developed resilience and adaptability that I see serving her throughout her life.

The work-life balance here has allowed us to be more present during Maya's formative years. We take proper lunch breaks, plan weekend adventures without guilt about productivity, and prioritize family experiences over material accumulation. Maya is learning that success includes joy, creativity, and meaningful relationships— not just academic achievement.

Looking at Maya now — articulate, confident, genuinely curious about the world, I see my daughter who's been given tools for lifelong learning, multilingualism, and cultural fluency. She understands that there are multiple ways to approach problems, that different perspectives make conversations richer, and that the world is vast and welcoming to those who approach it with respect and openness.

For families considering this leap, I can say that watching your child develop into a global citizen is incredibly rewarding. In addition to becoming fluent in French, Maya has learned how to be comfortable with complexity, how to find common ground across differences, and how to see change as opportunity rather than threat.

We can confidently say that Paris and L'Ecole Koenig are fundamentally shaping who Maya is becoming, and we couldn't be more grateful for that transformation.