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Riyadh

Saudi Arabia

Riyadh is changing at full speed: driven by Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is opening up to the world and the capital welcomes thousands of new expat families every year. The French-speaking community is growing with it, around a large French school and a welcome association founded back in 1981.

Currency
Saudi riyal (SAR)
Languages
Arabic (English covers daily life)
Time vs Paris
1 to 2h ahead
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.

Maison des Français - Riyad Accueil

Since 1981

Since 1981, the Maison des Français - Riyad Accueil has supported the French-speaking families of the Saudi capital: travel-prep coffees, desert outings, cultural visits and receptions at the French Residence.

Where to meet them

No fixed drop-in: first contact happens by email and through the members' WhatsApp group.

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

What they offer

  • Café-voyage sessions to plan getaways (Oman, AlUla, the Eastern Province)
  • Desert outings, all the way to the spectacular Edge of the World
  • Cultural visits (Murabba Palace) and receptions at the French Residence
  • A members' WhatsApp mutual-help group

Other support networks

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

  • UFE

    UFE Riyadh et Al Khobar

    The UFE chapter for Riyadh and Al Khobar welcomes newcomers and keeps the kingdom's French community busy: galette des rois, pétanque, iftars and a Franco-Saudi golf tournament.

    Visit the website Email the chapter
  • Français du monde – ADFE

    Français du monde – ADFE Riyad

    The local Français du monde - ADFE section supports French residents of Riyadh 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

Conseil d'affaires franco-saoudien (CAFS)

The reference Franco-Saudi business council in Riyadh, with over 250 members: themed gatherings, networking events and delegations to build a professional network and help French families settle into work.

Visit the website

The online community

The Facebook groups to join

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

💬 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

Nearly 1,600 pupils in the homologated network: the École française internationale de Riyad (AEFE-affiliated) covers the full curriculum, and the École de cité académique française (partner school) completes it from middle school to seconde.

Good to know

  • EFIR, in the An Nada district, teaches from nursery to final year and serves as an exam centre for the brevet and the baccalauréat.
  • ECAF, opened in 2018 in Al Shuhada, is homologated from sixième to seconde.
  • The school weekend is Friday-Saturday in Saudi Arabia: timetables follow.
  • With so many families arriving, apply as soon as the relocation is confirmed: key entry years fill up fast.

Children's healthcare

Private health insurance is mandatory for residents and tied to the residence permit (iqama): the sponsoring employer provides it. Private healthcare in Riyadh is dense and very modern.

Good to know

  • Check the family coverage of the sponsoring employer's policy before signing.
  • Large private groups (Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib, Kingdom Hospital...) provide international-grade care.
  • King Faisal Specialist Hospital is the kingdom's top reference.
  • 911 is the single emergency number; in summer, activities move indoors.

French-speaking community

Long under the radar, Riyadh's French community is growing as the kingdom opens up. The Maison des Français - Riyad Accueil has been its rallying point for over forty years.

Good to know

  • The Maison des Français - Riyad Accueil (FIAFE network) has welcomed families since 1981.
  • UFE Riyadh and Al Khobar keeps the community busy, from galette des rois to a Franco-Saudi golf tournament.
  • Most expat families live in compounds: the choice of residence shapes social life.
  • The Diplomatic Quarter (DQ) hosts the French embassy and large green spaces open to families.

Family outings and events

Vision 2030 has transformed Riyadh: Riyadh Season festivals, restored historic sites and a spectacular desert on the city's doorstep. From October to March, the capital lives outdoors.

Good to know

  • Diriyah and the At-Turaif site (UNESCO), birthplace of the kingdom, are a great family rediscovery.
  • The Edge of the World cliffs, north-west of the city, are the iconic desert outing (4x4 recommended).
  • Riyadh Season fills the winter: theme parks, shows and family zones like Boulevard World.
  • The National Museum and the King Abdulaziz Historic Centre park make a gentle outing with little ones.

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

Getting around

  • darb

    The official Riyadh transport app: plan your journeys across the new metro and bus network, buy tickets, and check live timetables.

    App Store Google Play

  • Careem

    The Gulf's homegrown ride-hailing giant, now owned by Uber but still everywhere in Riyadh; rides, plus delivery and payments in one app.

    App Store Google Play

  • Uber

    Available in Riyadh and often compared with Careem before you book; the familiar interface is reassuring when you have just arrived.

    App Store Google Play

  • inDrive

    The app where you name your price and the driver accepts or counters; popular in Riyadh for slightly cheaper rides.

    App Store Google Play

Food delivery

  • HungerStation

    Saudi Arabia's number one food delivery app: restaurants, supermarkets and pharmacies, with very broad coverage right across Riyadh.

    App Store Google Play

  • Jahez

    HungerStation's big Saudi-born rival; plenty of local restaurants and frequent deals that Riyadh residents keep an eye on.

    App Store Google Play

  • ToYou

    A Saudi delivery app for both food and groceries; handy for group orders and last-minute errands around the city.

    App Store Google Play

  • Keeta

    The newcomer from Asia's Meituan, growing fast in Riyadh; aggressive prices and often low delivery fees worth comparing.

    App Store Google Play

Groceries

  • Carrefour

    Carrefour hypermarkets deliver your weekly shop to your door; familiar aisles that reassure French families settling into Riyadh.

    App Store Google Play

  • Nana

    A Saudi grocery delivery app: order from several supermarkets and shops at once, brought to your home within a few hours.

    App Store Google Play

  • Ninja

    The quick-commerce app locals love in Riyadh: groceries and snacks usually delivered in under an hour, perfect for forgotten items.

    App Store Google Play

  • noon

    The region's e-commerce giant, a sort of local Amazon; electronics, home goods and groceries with fast delivery across Riyadh.

    App Store Google Play

Everyday life

  • STC Pay

    The kingdom's most-used mobile wallet (formerly STC Pay, now STC Bank): payments, transfers between friends and cards set up in minutes.

    App Store Google Play

  • Absher

    The government app every resident needs: iqama, exit and re-entry visas, official appointments and paperwork are all handled here.

    App Store Google Play

  • Tawakkalna

    The other essential government app: it holds your digital ID and documents, often required for admin tasks and everyday services.

    App Store Google Play

Coming soon: the full Riyadh guide.

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

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