“Homeschooling is Illegal in France,” She Said.

My 15 year old niece, Karen, who has been staying with us this summer, along with Elise (who sadly just returned to France - we miss her!), asked me the other day that question that so many homeschoolers have heard: “How long do you plan on homeschooling?” What this question implies, as we all know, is that surely you won’t homeschool forever? At least you’ll send the kids to middle school or high school? Before I could even respond to Karen, Elise piped in, “Homeschooling is illegal in France.”

I immediately assured Elise that homeschooling was, in fact, legal in France. Not so in Germany, but France, yes. Elise would not back down. She insisted over and over that it was illegal, that her teachers had told her so. I’ll try not to go on a rant about that kind of propaganda, but the source of her information infuriated me. It wasn’t until I sat her down at the computer and showed her Les Enfants d’Abord that she relented. I wanted her to see, in her own language, the truth of the matter. Homeschool Legal Defense Association is also a good source of information on the legality of homeschooling across the world, but for Elise, she needed French intelligence.

I asked Elise why she thought her teachers would have told her homeschooling was illegal. She could barely stand to admit that she was wrong about this. “I think because it’s not normal,” was her reply. Of course, she doesn’t actually know any homeschoolers. That’s propaganda for you, mes amis.

Let me take a moment to highlight a family successfully homeschooling in France, the Hoffmeisters. This family of five up and moved to France about four years ago! They set aside their homeschooling way of life initially, opting for the French schools to help the kids with the language immersion. After a few years of great difficulty for one of the children in particular, the Hoffmeisters resumed homeschooling in France. Despite what many consider to be heavy regulation on homeschooling in France, such as annual inspections and certain mandated educational outcomes, they are doing it!

By the way, the Hoffmeister Family has started a wonderful home business to help with the costs associated with homeschooling, such as the fact that one of the parents is most likely to be without an income. Since we have a family business as well, I just love supporting other families in this endeavor whenever I can.

Their business is called A Present From France. Since my children have been learning French for the past several years, I’m always on the lookout for creative ways of teaching. The variety of items included in this “care package” are sure to please all. I will most definitely be adding A Present From France to my repertoire!

Here’s what it is, as explained on the website:

Imagine, every two months receiving a ‘present’ from your new penfriend Juliette who lives in France. In your present you will receive lots of lovely gifts to help you learn French; toys, games, worksheets, CD’s with stories and songs, posters, bookmarks and lots more. It’s a fantastic way for your child to learn French and have fun at the same time. I’ll bet they can’t wait for the next box!!

And from the About Us section of their website:

‘A present from France’ is produced by The ‘Hoffmeisters’, a home educating family who live in a little village called Moncontour in Brittany, north west France. Being lucky enough to have a recording studio installed into their 17th century home, they have been able to write and produce their own music and story tapes, an integral part of the ‘presents’. With the help of French teachers, French speech specialists and friendly natives to advise, proof-read and perform on the audio CDs, ‘A present from France’ has come into existence. 


For Americans, you need to email for pricing. info@apresentfromfrance.com.

If you are a homeschooling family in France, I’d love to hear from you!! Bonne chance pour tout.