School calendar and holidays in Monaco

How the Monaco school calendar works

Monaco's public school calendar is closely aligned with the French national calendar, specifically Zone B (Academie de Nice). This makes things straightforward for cross-border families and ensures compatibility with the French curriculum. However, there are a few Monegasque-specific adjustments.

Structure of the school year

The academic year is divided into five periods, separated by holiday breaks:

• Rentree (start of year) -- early September
• Toussaint (autumn half-term) -- two weeks around late October / early November
• Christmas holidays -- roughly two weeks from late December
• February break (winter half-term) -- two weeks in February
• Spring break (Easter) -- two weeks in April
• Summer holidays -- from early July to early September

The exact dates shift slightly each year and are published by the Direction de l'Education Nationale before the start of the academic year.

Monaco-specific school holidays

In addition to the standard French holiday schedule, students in Monaco benefit from days off on Monegasque public holidays that France does not observe:

• Sainte Devote (27 January) -- Monaco's patron saint day
• Fete-Dieu (Corpus Christi, a Thursday in June) -- a public holiday in Monaco but not in France
• National Day (19 November) -- celebrating the Sovereign Prince

Conversely, French public holidays like 14 July (Bastille Day) and 11 November (Armistice Day) are not observed in Monaco, meaning school is normally in session on those days.

Wednesday afternoons

In line with the French system, some primary schools in Monaco operate a four-and-a-half day week, with Wednesday afternoons off or having a lighter schedule. This can vary by school and by year, so check with your child's school.

International and private schools

International schools in Monaco, such as the International School of Monaco (ISM) and the Fondation Albert Nicola de Beausoleil (FANB), set their own calendars. These may differ significantly from the public school calendar, particularly regarding the timing of spring and summer breaks.

Planning ahead

The official school calendar for the coming year is typically published on the government website (gouv.mc) and communicated to parents through the schools by early summer. If you are moving to Monaco with school-age children, contact the Direction de l'Education Nationale for the latest calendar.