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City guide

Barcelona

Spain

Barcelona ticks nearly every box: the sea in the city, a directly managed French lycée of almost 2,800 pupils, and a way of life where children have dinner on terraces. The challenges: housing, and choosing between Spanish and Catalan.

Currency
Euro (€)
Languages
Spanish and Catalan
Time vs Paris
None
Emergencies
112

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.

Barcelone Accueil

Since 1961

Heir to the Cercle des Français, Barcelone Accueil has kept the community alive since 1961: welcome coffees, afterworks, a food and wine club, sports and the "Si Barcelone m'était contée" cultural walks.

Where to meet them

Fridays from 10am to 12pm at the Institut français de Barcelone (Carrer Moià 8).

Visit the association's website Email the association See the FIAFE page

What they offer

  • Welcome coffees and lunches for newcomers
  • Afterwork drinks between francophones
  • Food and wine club, chef-led workshops
  • Cultural walks through Barcelona's history

Other support networks

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

  • UFE

    UFE Catalogne

    The Catalan chapter of the Union des Français de l'Étranger, based in Barcelona: welcome, mutual aid and events for the French in Catalonia.

    Visit the website
  • Français du monde – ADFE

    Français du monde – ADFE Catalogne

    The Catalan section of Français du monde - ADFE supports French residents of Barcelona and Catalonia with their paperwork.

    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 Espagne, Barcelone

The Franco-Spanish chamber in Barcelona, Spain's oldest foreign business association, brings together over 500 companies: events, introductions and support to work or start a business in Catalonia.

Visit the website CCI country page

The online community

The Facebook groups to join

Before you even land in Barcelona, 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

    🌎Barcelona Expats - International BCN (All Metropolitan Area)🌎🌍🌏

    👥 148,300 members · ≈ 74 posts/week

    View the group
  • Public In French

    FRANCAIS A BARCELONE !!!!

    👥 85,100 members · ≈ 67 posts/week

    View the group
  • 🔥 Very active 🔒 Private In English

    Expats in Barcelona

    👥 73,300 members · ≈ 71 posts/week

    View the group
  • 🔥 Very active Public In English

    Barcelona Networking, Property, Expats, Jobs & Study Abroad Community

    👥 66,000 members · ≈ 72 posts/week

    View the group
  • Public In French

    Les Français et Francophones de Barcelone

    👥 63,700 members · ≈ 67 posts/week

    View the group
  • Public In French

    Français(es) à Barcelone, ouvert à tous

    👥 42,900 members · ≈ 25 posts/week

    View the group
  • Public In English

    Barcelona Expat Free Activities | @bcn.xpat

    👥 35,000 members · ≈ 3 posts/week

    View the group
  • 🔒 Private In French

    TRAVAIL/EMPLOI/JOB/STAGE: FRANCAIS À BARCELONE

    👥 27,600 members · ≈ 4 posts/week

    View the group
  • 🔒 Private In English

    Expats : Living in Barcelona (By New in Barcelona)

    👥 25,400 members · ≈ 3 posts/week

    View the group
  • 🔥 Very active Public In English

    Expats living and working in Barcelona

    👥 24,100 members · ≈ 113 posts/week

    View the group
  • Public In French

    Les Français et Francophones de Barcelone +cool

    👥 23,600 members · ≈ 34 posts/week

    View the group
  • 🔒 Private In French

    LOGEMENT/APPART/CHAMBRE/COLOCATION/ACHAT/ROOM: FRANCAIS À BARCELONE

    👥 22,600 members · ≈ 13 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
  • AEFE direct management

    Lycée français de Barcelone

    Nursery to final year (ages 3 to 18)

    📍 Pedralbes · 2,790 pupils

    School website 📅 2026-2027 calendar
  • AEFE partner

    Lycée français de Gavà Bon Soleil

    Nursery to age 16

    📍 Gavà (south-west of Barcelona) · 1,230 pupils

    School website
  • AEFE agreement

    École française Ferdinand-de-Lesseps

    Nursery to age 11 (primary)

    📍 Eixample (Gran Via) · 610 pupils

    School website

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

The Lycée français de Barcelone, directly managed by the AEFE in Pedralbes, is the flagship. Ferdinand-de-Lesseps (primary, right in the Eixample) and Bon Soleil in Gavà complete a dense network.

Good to know

  • The LFB (direct management) is in high demand: file the application as soon as the move is confirmed.
  • Ferdinand-de-Lesseps is the family-sized primary option in the city centre.
  • Bon Soleil, in Gavà, attracts families settled south, by the beaches.
  • Catalan public school is free and immersive, but teaching is primarily in Catalan.

Children's healthcare

The Catalan system is solid: registering at the town hall (empadronamiento) opens the public health card, and affordable private insurance buys fast appointments.

Good to know

  • First step: the empadronamiento at the town hall, prerequisite for healthcare and school.
  • The targeta sanitària (CatSalut) gives access to the local health centre and its paediatrician.
  • Local private insurance is widespread and affordable for families.
  • 112 is the single emergency number; Sant Joan de Déu is the big paediatric reference.

French-speaking community

The French community of Barcelona is one of the oldest in Spain, from the smart Pedralbes-Sarrià area near the lycée to the bohemian families of Gràcia.

Good to know

  • Barcelone Accueil (FIAFE network) welcomes every Friday at the Institut français.
  • Sarrià, Les Corts and Pedralbes are the lycée neighbourhoods; Gràcia and the Eixample charm urban families.
  • UFE Catalogne and Français du monde complete the associative network.
  • The Institut français offers classes, a media library and a French film club.

Family outings and events

Barcelona is a children's city: urban beaches, Gaudí parks, interactive museums and neighbourhood festivals where giants parade. With Tibidabo mountain watching over it all.

Good to know

  • CosmoCaixa, the science museum, is one of Europe's best children's museums.
  • The beaches from Barceloneta to Mar Bella are equipped and metro-accessible.
  • Ciutadella park and Tibidabo (a century-old amusement park) are the Sunday classics.
  • Neighbourhood festes majors (Gràcia in August!) amaze children: giants, castellers and correfocs.

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 Barcelona uses to get around, get things delivered and organise daily life.

Getting around

  • TMB

    The official Barcelona metro and bus app: real-time schedules, route planning and ticket purchase, the one you will open every single day.

    App Store Google Play

  • Citymapper

    The best multimodal journey planner: metro, bus, tram, bike and walking combined into one clear route, ideal while you are still learning the city.

    App Store Google Play

  • FREENOW

    The go-to app for hailing a licensed taxi in Barcelona, where Uber and private-hire cars stay limited; pay in-app, ride guaranteed.

    App Store Google Play

  • Cabify

    The Spanish ride-hailing heavyweight: licensed drivers, fare shown upfront, often used alongside taxis when you want a set price before booking.

    App Store Google Play

  • Uber

    The global reflex works in Barcelona, but with a smaller fleet due to local rules; always compare with FREENOW before you book.

    App Store Google Play

  • SMOU (Bicing)

    The city app for Bicing (public bike share), parking and mobility; Bicing signup is reserved for registered residents, so plan your paperwork first.

    App Store Google Play

Food delivery

  • Glovo

    Born in Barcelona, the local delivery champion: meals, groceries and last-minute odds and ends brought to your door within minutes.

    App Store Google Play

  • Uber Eats

    The most international food-delivery app, handy from day one: a familiar interface and a wide choice of restaurants across the city.

    App Store Google Play

  • Just Eat

    The delivery veteran in Spain, strong on chains and classic fast food; a useful complement when Glovo does not list your spot.

    App Store Google Play

Groceries

  • Mercadona

    Spain's best-loved supermarket chain: order your groceries online and have them delivered, perfect for stocking the fridge without carrying the bags home.

    App Store Google Play

  • Carrefour

    For Carrefour shopping and coupons: loyalty card, promotions and online ordering in one place, a reliable pick among the big-box supermarkets.

    App Store Google Play

  • Lidl Plus

    Lidl's loyalty app that everyone here scans: discount coupons, weekly deals and digital receipts, an easy way to trim the grocery bill.

    App Store Google Play

  • Amazon

    For everything the supermarkets do not stock: household goods, electronics and fast delivery, a practical reflex while you are setting up your new home.

    App Store Google Play

Everyday life

  • TheFork

    The leading restaurant-booking app in Spain: real-time availability and frequent discounts, genuinely handy in a city that lives around its tables.

    App Store Google Play

  • Too Good To Go

    The anti-waste app: surprise bags from neighbourhood bakeries, restaurants and grocers at a small price, very active across Barcelona.

    App Store Google Play

  • Wallapop

    Spain's second-hand marketplace, founded in Barcelona: peer-to-peer classified ads, perfect for furnishing and kitting out your flat without breaking the bank.

    App Store Google Play

Coming soon: the full Barcelona guide.

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

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