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City guide

Abu Dhabi

United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi is Dubai's calmer neighbour: greener, slower-paced, very family-friendly. French culture is everywhere, from the Louvre Abu Dhabi to the Sorbonne, and two large French lycées share the community's children.

Currency
Dirham (AED)
Languages
Arabic (English covers daily life)
Time vs Paris
2 to 3h ahead
Emergencies
998 (ambulance), 999 (police)

FIAFE network

The Accueil for French-speaking families

In each city, a volunteer-run association from the FIAFE network welcomes, informs and helps French-speaking families settling in.

Abu Dhabi Accueil

Since 1988

Since 1988, Abu Dhabi Accueil has connected the French-speaking families of the capital: neighbourhood coffees, a book club, creative workshops and business lunches, with over 400 members.

Where to meet them

Neighbourhood coffee once a month; office in the Al Nahyan district.

Email the association See the FIAFE page

What they offer

  • Monthly neighbourhood coffee for newcomers
  • Book club and creative workshops
  • Business lunches between francophones
  • A support network of over 400 members

Other support networks

Two large national networks also support the French abroad, each with its local chapter.

  • UFE

    UFE Abu Dhabi

    The Abu Dhabi UFE chapter welcomes newcomers and keeps the community busy: afterworks, outings, member perks and a solidarity fund.

    Visit the website
  • Français du monde – ADFE

    Français du monde – ADFE Abu Dhabi

    The local Français du monde - ADFE section supports French residents of Abu Dhabi with their paperwork and relays their concerns to the consular authorities.

    Email the chapter

The French business network

The local French chamber of commerce (CCI France International network) is a real asset for work: networking, job offers and help to restart a career or start a business locally.

CCI France International

CCI France UAE

The Franco-Emirati chamber, active in Abu Dhabi too: over 800 members, a jobboard, regular networking events and hands-on support for families and partners settling into work.

Visit the website CCI country page

The online community

The Facebook groups to join

Before you even land in Abu Dhabi, Facebook groups are the best shortcut: ask your questions, find a flat, a nanny, a second-hand stroller, and often your first friends.

  • 🔥 Very active Public In English

    Abu Dhabi Expats

    👥 120,900 members · ≈ 183 posts/week

    View the group
  • 🔥 Very active 🔒 Private In English

    Abu Dhabi Q&A (by Freya)

    👥 100,500 members · ≈ 385 posts/week

    View the group
  • 🔥 Very active 🔒 Private In English

    UAE Moms - ملتقى الأمهات في الامارات

    👥 88,260 members · ≈ 295 posts/week

    View the group
  • 🔥 Very active Public In English

    Expats in UAE

    👥 60,986 members · ≈ 862 posts/week

    View the group
  • 🔥 Very active Public In English

    Expats World in Abu Dhabi

    👥 45,900 members · ≈ 1,204 posts/week

    View the group
  • 🔒 Private In English

    Abu Dhabi Expats

    👥 43,200 members · ≈ 3 posts/week

    View the group
  • 🔒 Private In English

    Abu Dhabi Group - Expats and Non Expats

    👥 35,600 members · ≈ 15 posts/week

    View the group
  • 🔥 Very active Public In English

    Indians in Abu Dhabi (IAD)

    👥 34,500 members · ≈ 760 posts/week

    View the group
  • Public In French

    Ze French Abu Dhabi

    👥 26,500 members · ≈ 46 posts/week

    View the group
  • Public In French

    Francophones des Emirats Arabes Unis

    👥 20,600 members · ≈ 32 posts/week

    View the group
  • Public In English

    Abu Dhabi Expat Community

    👥 20,300 members

    View the group
  • 🔥 Very active Public In English

    Abu Dhabi Expatriate Club

    👥 19,300 members · ≈ 76 posts/week

    View the group
💬 Explore the full group directory

Compiled from Facebook's public search, links checked in July 2026. Group sizes change all the time.

AEFE network

Accredited French schools

Schools accredited by the French Ministry of Education follow the French curriculum: your child can continue their schooling seamlessly, abroad and back in France.

💰 Compare school fees

Source: official AEFE directory, verified June 2026. aefe.gouv.fr

Tutoring and private lessons

To support your children's schooling across two systems, two solutions designed for expat families.

  • Axiom Academic

    Private lessons and tutoring for expat families: French curriculum, IB and British curriculum, at home or online, with teachers who know the schools in your city.

    Discover Axiom Academic

  • IB Tutor

    Tutors specialised in the International Baccalaureate: online lessons in every IB subject, to aim for top grades from MYP to the diploma.

    Discover IB Tutor

Schools and education

A rare privilege: the Lycée Louis-Massignon is one of the AEFE's directly managed schools, and the Lycée Théodore-Monod (MLF/AFLEC network) completes it on Saadiyat Island. Over 3,000 pupils in the capital's French network.

Good to know

  • Louis-Massignon (AEFE direct management) follows the agency's fee scales and direct steering: a network reference.
  • Théodore-Monod, on Saadiyat, attracts families from the northern districts and the island.
  • Private schools are regulated by ADEK (the local equivalent of Dubai's KHDA).
  • Apply as soon as the relocation is confirmed: key entry years fill up fast.

Children's healthcare

As in Dubai, health insurance is mandatory and tied to the residence visa. Care is excellent, anchored by large international hospitals.

Good to know

  • Check the family coverage of the sponsoring employer's policy before signing.
  • Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and the big private groups provide international-grade care.
  • French-speaking paediatricians practise in several clinics across the city.
  • 998 is the ambulance number; in summer, activities move indoors.

French-speaking community

Cultural France is everywhere: the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, the Alliance française. The French community is dense, organised and loyal to the capital.

Good to know

  • Abu Dhabi Accueil (FIAFE network) has animated the community since 1988.
  • UFE Abu Dhabi runs afterworks and welcome events all year round.
  • The Alliance française offers a media library and activities in French for children.
  • Family neighbourhoods: Khalidiya, Al Bateen, Saadiyat and Al Raha Beach.

Family outings and events

From October to April the capital lives outdoors: Corniche, beaches, mangroves. And all year, a cultural trio unique in the Arab world: the Louvre, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque and Yas Island theme parks.

Good to know

  • The Louvre Abu Dhabi has a children's museum and family workshops.
  • The Sheikh Zayed Mosque, free to visit, is an unforgettable outing (covering attire lent on site).
  • Mangrove kayaking, Saadiyat beaches and a bike-friendly Corniche.
  • Yas Island packs Ferrari World, Warner Bros and a waterpark for the hottest days.

These landmarks change fast: the MumExpat community will keep them up to date.

The arrival reflex

The apps to download when you land

Drop your bags, download these and you're set: the apps everyone in Abu Dhabi uses to get around, get things delivered and organise daily life.

Getting around

Food delivery

  • Talabat

    The Middle East's delivery giant: restaurants, express groceries and pharmacy; it is the most used delivery app in the UAE.

    App Store Google Play

  • Deliveroo

    Well established in the UAE, with a strong restaurant selection; the Plus subscription makes delivery free if you order often.

    App Store Google Play

Groceries

  • Carrefour

    The local Carrefour (Majid Al Futtaim group) delivers your groceries within hours; well stocked French aisles make it a comforting landmark for families.

    App Store Google Play

  • noon

    The homegrown Amazon rival: express groceries with noon Minutes, toys, appliances and fashion, often delivered the same day.

    App Store Google Play

  • InstaShop

    On-demand grocery delivery: supermarkets, fresh produce, pharmacy and pet supplies, dropped at your door in under an hour.

    App Store Google Play

  • Amazon

    Amazon.ae delivers across Abu Dhabi, often next day; handy for everything you cannot find in the shops.

    App Store Google Play

Everyday life

  • UAE PASS

    The national digital identity, essential for almost every procedure: banking, visas, signing documents; set it up as soon as you have your Emirates ID.

    App Store Google Play

  • TAMM

    Abu Dhabi's one-stop government app: water and electricity bills, fines, licences and everyday paperwork; sooner or later everything goes through TAMM.

    App Store Google Play

  • Botim

    WhatsApp and FaceTime calls are blocked in the UAE; Botim is the licensed video-calling app everyone uses to reach family back home.

    App Store Google Play

  • The Entertainer

    The expat cult favourite for deals: hundreds of 2-for-1 offers on restaurants, hotels and family activities across the UAE.

    App Store Google Play

Coming soon: the full Abu Dhabi guide.

Verified addresses, paediatricians recommended by mums, a family agenda updated every week. Join the waitlist to discover the Abu Dhabi page first.

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