Toronto is the gentlest big English-speaking city for a French-speaking family: multicultural, safe and green, with a real French school network, from the AEFE lycée to Franco-Ontarian public schools. Your child can grow up bilingual here almost effortlessly.
Currency
Canadian dollar (C$)
Language
English (French co-official federally)
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.
Toronto Accueil
Since 1987
Born in 1987 as Françaises Accueil, Toronto Accueil supports French speakers settling in the Queen City: welcome coffees, a pram-friendly Café Poussette, neighbourhood visits, book clubs and big yearly gatherings like the galette des rois with the Consul General.
Where to meet them
Based at the Lycée français de Toronto (2327 Dufferin Street); reach out by email or through the website form.
Two large national networks also support the French abroad, each with its local chapter.
UFE
UFE Canada Toronto
The Toronto representation of the Union des Français de l'Étranger: welcome, mutual aid and conviviality for the French in Ontario, in close touch with the Consulate General.
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
France Canada Chamber of Commerce, Ontario
Toronto's France-Canada chamber, part of the CCI France International network, runs the French-Canadian business community in Ontario with networking events and useful support to grow a professional network.
To follow local life in French: news, what's on, good addresses and, often, a directory of French-speaking professionals.
lepetitjournal.com Toronto
MediaIn French
The Toronto edition of the online daily for French expatriates: local and consular news, practical life (housing, health, education, settling in), events and an expat directory.
Expat directory of useful addresses and French-speaking professionals in Toronto, complemented by the Health and Housing sections.
Portal of French-language resources in Toronto: directory, events, job offers, classifieds and blog articles.
Directory by category: health and wellbeing (French-speaking psychologists and psychotherapists), family, children and youth, community centres; professionals list themselves.
Before you even land in Toronto, 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 Private In English
Toronto Mommies
40,500 members · ≈ 368 posts/week
SUPPORT | GET HELP | MEET | HELP OTHERS
CONGRATULATIONS! You are now part of a unique group of mother support group. We are here to answer questions...
Welcome to the largest Facebook group for newcomers in Toronto!
This is a space where you can ask for advice, share your experiences, and connect with...
For all the Frenchies living in Toronto. Echange de bons plans, entre-aide aux nouveaux arrivants, achat / vente etc...
UTILISATION DU SITE: suite à de...
Ce groupe rassemble les francophones et francophiles du Grand Toronto. On se rencontre, échange et partage l'amour de la langue française.
Rencontrez d'autres francophones et francophiles :
"Mercredis Francofun", Bedford Academy (36 Prince Arthur Avenue - St-George station), 6:00 pm to 12:00 am, chaque mercredi. Venez seul ou nombreux, vous serez chaleureusement acceullis.
Pour plus d'info: [email protected] ou [email protected]
Visitez et joignez-vous au groupe Facebook http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=26380863376
"Le French Meetup de Toronto" (Mensuel)
Bonjour francophones et francophiles - Venez socialiser en français le deuxième mardi de chaque mois avec des gens désireux de parler en français à Toronto. On se rencontre dans un pub de 19h à 23h.
http://www.meetup.com/frenchmeetup/
Pierre Gilbert (Organisateur)
Welcome to our East Toronto inclusive parenting community.
This aims to be a feminist space, and our members are primarily female-identified. We welcome...
Bienvenue à toutes les filles qui habitent à Toronto ! 🇨🇦
Ce groupe Facebook est dédié :
▪️ Aux voyageuses qui se trouvent au Quebec actuellement
▪️ Aux...
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.
Toronto speaks English, but schooling in French is surprisingly accessible: two AEFE-accredited schools and a free Franco-Ontarian public network. Everything you need for a truly bilingual path.
Good to know
The Lycée français de Toronto (AEFE conventionné) follows the French curriculum from nursery to the baccalauréat.
TFS, Canada's International School (AEFE partner), is accredited from nursery to Grade 9, then switches to the IB diploma.
Public school in French exists too: the Viamonde (secular) and MonAvenir (Catholic) boards are free, but outside the AEFE network.
School starts early in Ontario: junior kindergarten welcomes children from age 4.
French-speaking community
Toronto hosts a large, well-organised French-speaking community: Franco-Ontarians, French, Quebecers and francophones from around the world. In Canada's most multicultural city, you find your tribe fast.
Good to know
Toronto Accueil (FIAFE network) has animated the French community since 1987.
The Alliance Française de Toronto offers classes, shows and children's activities in French.
The Centre francophone du Grand Toronto supports French-speaking newcomers for free.
The Salon du livre de Toronto celebrates francophone literature every year.
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 Toronto uses to get around, get things delivered and organise daily life.
Getting around
Transit
The go-to app in Toronto for live TTC, streetcar and GO Transit schedules; routes and next arrivals down to the minute.
What mums ask when they arrive in Toronto, in short, sourced answers.
French school or Ontario school: where do we start?
Toronto offers three paths: the Lycée français de Toronto (AEFE conventionné, from nursery to the baccalauréat), TFS (AEFE partner up to grade 9, then the IB diploma) and the free public French-language schools of the Viamonde and MonAvenir boards. Both accredited schools charge fees and are in high demand: start the process several months before term. Fees are detailed on /en/cities/toronto/school-fees/.
In principle, no: a minor child can attend preschool, primary and secondary school without a study permit if one parent is authorised to work or study in Canada. IRCC still recommends a study permit, useful to keep studying after 18. Have an immigration document issued in each child's name at the border, as it is requested for school and the health card.
There is no longer a waiting period: if you are eligible, coverage is immediate. With a work permit, you must work full time for an Ontario employer for at least 6 months; your partner and children can then be covered. Apply for the card in person at a ServiceOntario centre as soon as you arrive, and keep private insurance in the meantime. More on /en/cities/toronto/health/.
Source ↗How do I find a paediatrician or a doctor who speaks French?
Register the whole family with Health Care Connect, online or by calling 811, which looks for a family doctor accepting new patients; a paediatrician is usually seen on referral. In French, the consulate's list names one GP in Toronto and the Centre francophone du Grand Toronto has a clinic with a waiting list. Our addresses are on /en/cities/toronto/health/.
Source ↗Where do I go at night if my child is ill?
In a life-threatening emergency, call 911. Otherwise, Health811 (811) answers day and night, and the SickKids emergency department is open 24 hours; for less serious problems, local hospitals' evening children's clinics often spare you a long wait.
Choose the school first: TFS families often live in Lawrence Park, Bedford Park or Leaside, Lycée français families in Forest Hill, Cedarvale or Yonge-Eglinton. Houses to rent are scarce and expensive; Ontario's standard lease is mandatory and the deposit is limited to the last month's rent. Everything is detailed on /en/cities/toronto/settling-in/.
Downtown, many families do without one: the TTC is free for children 12 and under. In the suburbs, a car quickly becomes essential. Your French licence is valid for 60 days after you move, then it can be exchanged for an Ontario licence without a test, as France is one of the eligible countries.
Source ↗How do I find childcare for a child under 4?
Toronto's licensed child care centres take children up to age 12, and fees are going down through the Canada-wide programme, but places are scarce: join waiting lists as early as possible. In the meantime, French-language EarlyON (ON y va) centres offer free activities in French for ages 0 to 6. Many families add a nanny or a nanny share.
Yes, Toronto is one of the easiest big English-speaking cities for that: French schools, the Alliance française, youth theatre at TfT, French children's collections in more than sixty libraries and the Franco-Fête in June. English will come very fast through friends and activities. Our outing ideas are on /en/cities/toronto/family-outings/.
Source ↗Is life much more expensive than in France?
Housing is the big item, often double France for a family house near the French schools. Phone, internet, car insurance and groceries also cost more. On the other hand, public French-language school, public healthcare with OHIP and transit for under-13s are free.
Source ↗How do I meet other French-speaking families?
Toronto Accueil, part of the FIAFE network, runs welcome coffees, a Café Poussette and neighbourhood visits; you can also join UFE or Français du monde Toronto. The Centre francophone du Grand Toronto supports newcomers for free, and the French schools are real meeting places.
The French consulate general in Toronto handles passports, ID cards, civil registration and elections for Ontario and Manitoba. It does not intervene in work permits, permanent residence or health coverage, and provides neither legal aid nor translation, but publishes a list of lawyers, translators and doctors. Register online with the consular register as soon as you arrive.
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