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Miami

United States

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).

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

What they offer

  • Welcome coffees for newcomers
  • Power walks and sports activities
  • Book club and conversation groups
  • 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.

    Visit the website
  • Français du monde – ADFE

    Français du monde – ADFE Miami

    The Miami section of Français du monde - ADFE informs and supports French residents of Florida with their paperwork, in a spirit of solidarity.

    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

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.

Visit the website CCI country page

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 partner

    École franco-américaine de Miami (EFAM)

    Nursery to Grade 5 (ages 3 to 11)

    📍 Miami Shores and South Miami (two campuses) · 253 pupils

    School website 📅 2026-2027 calendar
  • AEFE partner

    International Studies Charter School (ISCHS)

    Ages 11 to 18 (accredited French track)

    📍 Little Havana (SW 25th Avenue) · 142 pupils

    School website
  • AEFE partner

    Lycée franco-américain International School

    Nursery to Grade 5 (ages 3 to 11)

    📍 Cooper City, Broward County (between Miami and Fort Lauderdale) · 118 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

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.

Children's healthcare

As everywhere in the United States, everything rests on health insurance, usually through the employer. Once the family is properly covered, South Florida paediatric care is excellent.

Good to know

  • Check family coverage before signing the job contract: deductible, network, copays.
  • Pick an in-network paediatrician quickly and book the first visit.
  • Nicklaus Children's Hospital is the leading paediatric reference in South Florida.
  • Hospital ER visits are very expensive: urgent care for the non-vital, 911 for any life-threatening emergency.

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.

Family outings and events

Miami with kids means outdoor life all year round: calm-water beaches, a giant zoo and the Everglades as a weekend outing. You quickly learn to work around the summer storms.

Good to know

  • The beaches of Crandon Park and Matheson Hammock, with calm waters, are ideal with little ones.
  • Zoo Miami, one of the largest zoos in the country, and the Miami Children's Museum are safe bets.
  • The Everglades are an hour away: alligators and airboat rides delight the whole family.
  • Summer runs in reverse: mornings outside, air-conditioned museums in the afternoon, near-daily late-day storms.

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

Coming soon: the full Miami guide.

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

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