This back-to-school season marks a significant step forward for many Parisian families: school catering is now free for 17,000 children who meet modest income criteria. This measure concretely eases the daily lives of affected households, in a context where the cost of returning to school often weighs heavily on budgets. Paris (75) is thus part of an approach to equitable access to the canteen for all students in public nursery, primary, and middle schools.
Free School Kits and Transport Reimbursement
Furthermore, a school kit is distributed free of charge to all CP (first-grade) students in public Parisian schools. This initiative, renewed again this year, allows families to approach the school year without worrying about purchasing basic supplies. This attention, paid from the first years of schooling, ensures that every child starts the year in the best possible conditions.
Regarding transportation, those under 18 benefit from full reimbursement of the Imagine R pass as well as the Vélib’ subscription. These coverages, accessible without complex procedures, allow young Parisians to move freely in the capital, whether to go to school or enjoy their extracurricular activities.
Improved Infrastructure and Sustainable Food
Beyond financial aid, the City of Paris invested in improving school infrastructure during the summer of 2026. More than 500 construction projects were carried out in Parisian nurseries and schools, resulting in the creation of new ‘oasis’ playgrounds, the modernization of buildings, and the reinforcement of thermal insulation. These works aim to adapt school spaces to climate challenges and offer a more pleasant living environment for children.
Food also plays a central role in the Parisian educational project. In the 300 municipal nurseries that cook on-site, meals are prepared from fresh, seasonal, and 100% organic products. In school canteens, students’ plates feature 62% sustainable products, with a large proportion of homemade items: vegetarian dishes, sauces, soups, cakes, and sandwiches. The objective is to achieve fully organic and sustainable municipal canteens by 2027.
Enriched Educational and Cultural Activities
On the pedagogical and cultural front, Paris offers children a wide range of sports, recreational, and artistic activities. Nearly 700 City of Paris teachers intervene in schools in music education, visual arts, and physical and sports education. Outside school hours, on Wednesdays, during holidays, or during extracurricular times, workshops and outings punctuate the daily lives of young Parisians. Registrations for extracurricular activities are open from August 24 to September 21 via the Paris Familles portal.
Practical Information for a Smooth Back-to-School Season
For school meal registration, the procedure varies by arrondissement. In the arrondissements of Paris Centre, 6th, 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 19th, and 20th, registration is done via the Paris Familles portal, accessible with a Mon Paris account or via France Connect. For other arrondissements, the request must be made directly to the school fund of the arrondissement concerned. Registrations for extracurricular activities follow the same Paris Familles platform.
Source: jds.fr
