Every year, parents of school-age children in France are sent a lengthy and complicated list of stationery that they must purchase - Helen Massy-Beresford offers parental tips on navigating the technicalities while also saving money.
Two words to strike fear into the hearts of any parent of a school-age child living in France: fournitures scolaires.
It’s finally the summer holidays: eight weeks of respite from school drop-offs, homework supervision and nit checks … but one small admin challenge lies between every parent and their sun lounger: the school supplies list, aka the world’s least fun summer treasure hunt.
What is the liste de fournitures scolaires?
Every year, a few days after the end of the summer term, and usually starting as your child heads into CP (cours préparatoire - which children usually start at the age of six), their school will send out a list of the supplies they will need for their new class in September:
