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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

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.

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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