Miami is a sun-drenched expat move: school in shorts all year, the beach after class, and a French-speaking community far larger than you would expect, from French families to francophone Canadians and Haitians. First landmarks before you unpack.
Currency
US dollar ($)
Languages
English (and Spanish)
Time vs Paris
6h behind
Emergencies
911
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.
Miami Accueil
Since 1994
Since 1994, Miami Accueil has gathered the French, francophones and francophiles of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach: welcome coffees, walks, a book club, cultural outings and settling-in tips for newcomers.
Where to meet them
No fixed drop-in: members meet through the activities announced on the website agenda (office at 990 Biscayne Boulevard, Office 701).
Cultural outings, parties, newsletter and WhatsApp group
Other support networks
Two large national networks also support the French abroad, each with its local chapter.
UFE
UFE États-Unis Floride
The Florida chapter of the Union des Français de l'Étranger, based in Miami: welcome, mutual aid and practical advice (settling in, tax, local life) for the French in Florida.
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
French-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida
Florida's French-American chamber, based in Miami, brings the French business community together through events, job listings and practical help to settle in and work in Florida.
To follow local life in French: news, what's on, good addresses and, often, a directory of French-speaking professionals.
lepetitjournal.com Miami
MediaIn French
The Miami edition of the online daily for French expatriates: news, events, practical life, settling in, housing, education and health, with full guides for newcomers.
The Miami expat directory: French-speaking professionals in health, services and retail, who list themselves.
The Miami edition of the news site for the French in the United States: outings, children, education, family, health, immigration, housing, events and newsletters.
The US French-speaking directory, by category: health (general practice, dentists, psychotherapists), education, property, lawyers; professionals list themselves.
The online guide for the French in Miami and Florida: events, practical articles and a well-stocked directory of French-speaking professionals.
Health directory (doctors, paediatricians, gynaecologists, psychologists, dentists) and a 'Family / Children' section for Miami and Florida; professionals list themselves.
Florida's French-language newspaper, online and as a monthly edition: US and Florida news, an events calendar, law and tax, and a Guide to Florida published every year.
Before you even land in Miami, 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 French
Les Frenchy à Miami
43,800 members · ≈ 199 posts/week
Ce groupe est un moyen de partager nos expériences , conseils et bon plan sur Miami!
le groupe est ouvert a tout le monde!!
Faites passer pour échanger un maximum et devenir une référence pour les Français venant à Miami !
Enjoy!!
Les résidents Français de Miami et de Floride (et tous les francophones)
41,600 members · ≈ 33 posts/week
Groupe des Francophones (Français, Canadiens...) qui vivent en Floride et suivent l'info locale. Ce groupe n'est pas ouvert aux touristes qui ne résident pas aux USA.
This is a group for Miami Moms hosted by two great mom friends, Monique and Rebecca. The purpose of this group is to connect about our children and find...
amis francais et francophones rejoignez sans attendre ce groupe où nous vous proposons des bons plans, des partenariats, des soirées à thème... tout pour...
Vous venez habiter/séjourner à Miami, vous êtes à la recherche d'un logement, vous cherchez des colocs, ou vous voulez être au courant des bons plans,...
We are a group of mothers with careers, coming together to share events, recommendations, tips, tricks, struggles, and triumphs, etc. You can post events...
Willing to hire a french talent??
Vous cherchez un travail ou un job à Miami ou en Floride?
Vous avez un poste à pourvoir et rechercher un Francophone ?
C'est ici !
Welcome moms and dads who are raising their families in sunny Miami Beach. This group is designed to be a resource for **parents who live in Miami Beach** to share tips about events in the area, referals, parenting topics and stories, favorite restaurants, free museum days, park adventures, and other hidden treasures our city has to offer.
This page is focused on parents being the best of themselves and supporting other parents to be their personal best, too.
This group is NOT for advertising, selling, or solicitations. The postings will be heavily monitored and any post that does not meet the topic guidelines will be deleted.
MEMBERSHIP
This group is for moms who live in Miami Beach, Florida. This group is just for moms (sorry dads, you'll have to create your own group). We...
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.
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.
No single big French lycée in Miami: the accredited offering is split between two French-American primary schools and, a precious local twist, a free French track in a public charter school.
Good to know
EFAM covers nursery to Grade 5 across two campuses, Miami Shores in the north and South Miami in the south.
ISCHS, a public charter school in Little Havana, runs a free accredited French track from Grade 6 to Grade 12: places go fast.
On the Broward side, the Lycée franco-américain in Cooper City teaches children from nursery to Grade 5.
The school year runs from mid-August to early June: a rhythm to plan around for trips back to France.
French-speaking community
You hear French everywhere in Miami: expat families from Key Biscayne to Miami Shores, winter Quebecers, a large Haitian community. The French Consulate General and a very active Accueil structure this sunshine francophonie.
Good to know
Miami Accueil (FIAFE network) has gathered French speakers across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach since 1994.
Key Biscayne, Coconut Grove, Brickell and Miami Shores concentrate the French families.
The Consulate General of France in Miami covers all of Florida: book appointments online well ahead.
Local francophone media (Courrier des Amériques, French District) are full of family tips.
A place has closed, something has changed?
The arrival reflex
The apps to download when you land
Drop your bags, download these and you're set: the apps everyone in Miami uses to get around, get things delivered and organise daily life.
Getting around
Transit
The go-to app for Miami-Dade's Metrorail, the free Metromover and the buses: real-time arrivals and door-to-door routes across the county.
What mums ask when they arrive in Miami, in short, sourced answers.
French or American school: where do we start?
There is no single big French lycée in Miami: EFAM takes children from nursery to Grade 5 in Miami Shores and South Miami, and ISCHS, a public charter school in Little Havana, runs a free accredited French track from Grade 6 to Grade 12. County public schools also have a French section in their international programme. Start the process several months before the mid-August start of term; all the details are on our School fees page: /en/cities/miami/school-fees/.
Yes, for one year: Florida's VPK programme is open to every child living in Florida who turns 4 by 1 September, that year or the next. It is taken with an approved private provider or in a public school. Before age 4, daycare or a nanny remain entirely at your expense.
Source ↗Do we need health insurance for the children?
No law requires it any more, but without insurance every visit and every ER trip is paid in full. Take the employer's family coverage from day one, or international insurance if you are self-employed, and check the deductible, network and copays. It is all explained on our Health page: /en/cities/miami/health/.
Source ↗How do I find a French-speaking paediatrician?
The French consulate general in Miami publishes a list of French-speaking doctors in Florida, updated in July 2026, with several paediatricians in Miami-Dade and Broward County. Always check that the practice is in your insurer's network. We list the useful names on /en/cities/miami/health/.
Source ↗Which health documents does the school ask for?
Two documents: the DH 680 immunisation certificate, completed by a Florida doctor from the French health record, and a health examination carried out within a year before enrolment. The required vaccines are under review in autumn 2026: check the up-to-date list with the school.
Source ↗Which neighbourhood should we live in with children?
Choose the school first, as car journeys matter a lot. Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Pinecrest and South Miami in the south, Miami Shores and Aventura in the north are families' most frequent choices, Key Biscayne for waterside living. Our Settling in page details each area: /en/cities/miami/settling-in/.
Source ↗Can we live without a car and keep our French licence?
Rarely: outside Brickell and Downtown, a car is essential for school and shopping. If you live in Florida on a visa, you must apply for a Florida licence within 30 days of settling; after that, driving on a French licence is an offence. The licence issued is temporary, aligned on your residence status.
Above all, prepare for them: the season runs from 1 June to 30 November, peaking from August to October. Know your evacuation zone, keep enough to be self-sufficient for 72 hours and obey evacuation orders, which are mandatory in Florida. Register with the consulate to receive its alerts.
It depends on the main visa. E-2S spouses (investor visa, very common in Miami) and L-2S spouses (transfer) are authorised to work by virtue of their status, the notation appearing on their I-94 record. The spouse of an H-1B holder (H-4) can only work in specific cases, after obtaining authorisation.
Private daycares, nannies and babysitters shared between families are the usual solutions, all at your expense until VPK at age 4. A nanny must be authorised to work in the United States. The official au pair programme (J-1 visa) lets you host a young person for 12 months, for up to 10 hours a day and 45 hours a week.
Miami Accueil, part of the FIAFE network since 1994, brings together French speakers across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach: welcome coffees, walks, a book club, outings. The French schools and their parents' associations are the other big meeting point, and our family outings await on /en/cities/miami/family-outings/.
Housing, healthcare, insurance and private school cost significantly more than in France. On the other hand, Florida levies no personal income tax, and the beach, parks and libraries cost little. Our Settling in page details the budget: /en/cities/miami/settling-in/.
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