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Montreal

Canada

Montreal has one unbeatable advantage: life happens in French. Settling in with children is often gentler here than elsewhere, provided you tame two local challenges: daycare waiting lists and the long winter.

Currency
Canadian dollar (C$)
Language
French (and English)
Time vs Paris
6h behind
Emergencies
911 (health line: 811)

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.

Montréal Accueil

Since 1985

Since 1985, Montréal Accueil has been helping French-speaking families find their feet in Quebec: open-house events, typical outings like sugar shack evenings, sports activities and a strong mutual-support network.

Where to meet them

Hosted at the Consulate General of France in Montreal (1501 McGill College); contact through the website.

Visit the association's website See the FIAFE page

What they offer

  • Open-house events and newcomer welcomes
  • Sugar shack evenings and typically Quebecois outings
  • Sports activities, from padel to outdoor trips
  • Newsletter and mutual-support network for members

Other support networks

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

  • UFE

    UFE Canada Montréal

    Since 1984, UFE Canada Montréal has defended the interests of French citizens settled in Quebec and eased their integration: newcomer welcomes, events and a close link with the Consulate.

    Visit the website
  • Français du monde – ADFE

    Français du monde – ADFE Montréal

    The Montreal section of Français du monde - ADFE supports French residents of Quebec with their paperwork (social protection, schooling, citizenship) 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

Chambre de commerce et d'industrie française au Canada (Montréal)

The French chamber in Canada, based in Montreal since 1886, gathers nearly 400 companies and offers events, introductions and support with settling in professionally, handy for restarting a career locally.

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

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

Good news: public school is in French and solid. Bill 101 actually directs most newcomers' children to the francophone network.

Good to know

  • Before age 5, it's daycare: subsidised CPEs are in high demand, join the waiting lists as early as possible.
  • Public school is free and neighbourhood-based; kindergarten starts at age 5.
  • The French network exists too: Collège Stanislas and Collège international Marie de France follow the French curriculum.
  • The calendar is local: school starts late August, long summer holidays, March break in spring.

Children's healthcare

Quebec and France have a social security agreement: in most cases the family can be covered by RAMQ, the public health insurance. The system then works a little differently.

Good to know

  • Apply for the RAMQ card (the "sun card") on arrival; the France-Quebec agreement avoids the waiting period in most situations.
  • Finding a family doctor takes time: walk-in clinics and the 811 line cover the gap.
  • CHU Sainte-Justine is the city's major francophone children's hospital.
  • Everyday care (dentist, optician, some medication) often goes through private insurance, usually via the employer.

French-speaking community

This is the largest French-speaking city in North America, and the French community is huge, from the Plateau Mont-Royal to Rosemont. You find your tribe fast.

Good to know

  • The Plateau and its surroundings host so many French residents it's nicknamed Montreal's "little France".
  • Montréal Accueil, mums' Facebook groups and neighbourhood networks ease the first months.
  • Integration is quick, but culture shock is real: Quebec has its own codes, different from France's.
  • Public family services (libraries, cultural centres, municipal activities) are accessible and affordable.

Family outings and events

Montreal lives by its seasons: open-air festivals in summer, sugar shacks in spring, skating rinks and sledding in winter. Every season has its family ritual.

Good to know

  • In summer, free festivals run back to back and green alleys become playgrounds.
  • Mount Royal park and La Fontaine park are the family weekend classics.
  • In winter, free outdoor rinks, sledding hills and the Fête des neiges make the cold fun.
  • Public libraries (including the Grande Bibliothèque) offer a rich, free children's programme.

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

Coming soon: the full Montreal guide.

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

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