The French School

What The French School does

L'École Française (The French School) is a private, 100% online professional training provider headquartered in Levallois (Paris), France, founded in 2009. It delivers state-recognized diploma and certification programs across 15 thematic areas — including accounting, HR and payroll, commerce, marketing and communication, digital, medical secretarial, aesthetics, early childhood, real estate, languages, and software — spanning credential levels from CAP (Level 3) through BTS (Bac+2), Professional Titles (Bac+2), Bachelor's degrees (Bac+3), and MBA programs (Bac+5). The platform is delivered through a proprietary Learning Management System (LMS) accessible 24/7, combining videos, downloadable PDFs, quizzes, case studies, live webinars, mentor/coach scheduling, and community forums, with each learner assigned a dedicated mentor and personal coach. Certifications are registered in the French RNCP (Répertoire National des Certifications Professionnelles) and the school holds Qualiopi national quality certification covering both training actions and apprenticeship training.

The business operates three monetization streams: (i) individual learner enrollment via self-serve website and advisor-assisted sales, with monthly subscription tiers (Base/Premium/Light) typically priced €99–€178/month over 9–20 months (€899–€2,599 total); (ii) apprenticeship (alternance) contracts where employers fund tuition via OPCO; and (iii) B2B enterprise training delivered through a dedicated 'Espace Entreprise' team. A large share of individual enrollment is financed through France's CPF (Compte Personnel de Formation) portal and France Travail (formerly Pôle Emploi) retraining funds, reducing buyer-side friction. The company reports 130,000+ learners trained cumulatively, with strong third-party review aggregates (Trustpilot 4.8/5, Avis Vérifiés 9.7/10 from 2,220+ reviews, Google 4.4/5 from 535 reviews), 11–50 employees, and a geographic footprint limited to France. No revenue, funding, or ownership data is publicly disclosed.

Name

The French School

Legal name

L'École Française

Website

https://lecolefrancaise.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

L'École Française is a private, 100% online French professional training provider delivering RNCP-registered certifications and state diplomas from CAP to MBA, serving individual learners, career changers, job seekers, and enterprises via CPF, France Travail, and OPCO funding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Professional Education and Vocational Training

NAICS

Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Credentialing, Certification Prep & Exam Training (BPACANAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Human Resources (HR) & Talent (SHRM/HRCI) Certifications (EDAAANAE), Sales, Marketing & Digital Marketing Certifications (EDAAANAF)

Keywords

• Online professional training
• Certified diploma programs
• Distance learning
• Continuing education
• Apprenticeship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Individual Course Enrollment (Subscription/Monthly): Learners pay monthly subscription fees or one-time course fees for self-paced online training programs. Multiple pricing tiers (Base, Premium, Light/Autonome/Encadré) are offered with varying levels of mentoring and coaching support. Fees range from approximately €109.95/month to €1599 total per course depending on the program and tier selected.
2. Apprenticeship/Alternance Programs: Company B2B revenue through apprenticeship contracts where the school partners with enterprises to train apprentices. Training costs are covered by the employer via OPCO (opérateur de compétences). Revenue is earned through tuition fees paid by the employing company or OPCO.
3. B2B Enterprise Training: Corporate training contracts where companies pay to upskill their employees. The school offers dedicated enterprise solutions, team training programs, and employer-matched apprenticeship recruitment services for businesses.
4. CPF and Public Funding Reimbursement: Revenue from government-funded training accounts (CPF) where the French state's training fund directly reimburses the school for eligible learners' course completion. France Travail also funds training for eligible job seekers, providing another public funding stream.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

L'École Française delivers 100% online, state-recognized certified training courses and diploma programs across 15+ professional themes (accounting, HR, commerce, marketing, digital, beauty, languages, real estate, medical secretarial, etc.) at credential levels from CAP (Level 3) through BTS (Bac+2), Titre Professionnel/Certifié (Bac+2), Bachelor (Bac+3) to MBA (Bac+5). Programs are offered via self-paced subscription enrollment (CPF or self-funded) or apprenticeship (alternance) contracts financed by employers via OPCO, and are complemented by personalized mentor sessions, dedicated coaches, and career coaching delivered through a proprietary LMS accessible 24/7.

Product overview

L'École Française operates a multi-format online education platform offering 100% distance learning programs across 15 professional thematic areas including Accounting & Management, HR & Payroll, Commerce & Sales, Marketing & Communication, Digital, Languages, Soft Skills, Software, Early Childhood, Aesthetics & Beauty, Real Estate, and Medical Secretarial. The portfolio spans five credential levels: CAP certificates (Level 3), BTS diplomas (Bac+2), Professional Titles (Bac+2), Bachelor's degrees (Bac+3), and MBA programs (Bac+5). The core offering consists of individual certifiable courses (such as Formation Langue des Signes Française, Formation Maquillage et Soins, Formation Excel) alongside structured diploma and degree tracks, all accessible either through standard CPF-financed enrollment or through apprenticeship (alternance) contracts. A supplementary Coaching Carrière service provides employabilit and job-search support. The platform is complemented by an online LMS accessible 24/7, featuring video content, PDFs, quizzes, webinars, and dedicated mentor/coach accompaniment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CAP Esthétique Cosmétique Parfumerie A Level 3 state diploma preparing students for careers in aesthetics, covering facial and body care, makeup, hair removal, and beauty sales. Delivered 100% online with mentor, coach, and career coaching support; eligible for CPF financing and available via apprenticeship contract.
• Formation Soins Esthétiques A standalone certifiable module delivering Competency Block 2 of the CAP Esthétique, covering nail care, epilation, nail makeup, and related techniques. Offered in Light, Base, and Premium subscription tiers over 5-9 months, with CPF eligibility and dedicated mentor sessions.
• Formation Maquillage et Soins A professional training covering makeup techniques and facial care, designed for beauty enthusiasts or those seeking career advancement in aesthetics. Eligible for CPF financing and delivered online.
• Formation Langue des Signes Française (LSF) A 3–5 month professional training in French Sign Language (LSF), covering basic to intermediate LSF communication, designed for individuals pursuing personal interest or careers involving deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. Eligible for CPF financing.
• Formation Négociation Immobilière A 5–9 month professional training in real estate negotiation covering property sales techniques, client relations, and market knowledge. Eligible for CPF financing and aimed at entrants to the French real-estate profession.
• Formation Réseaux Sociaux & Webmarketing A professional training covering social media strategy, content creation, and web marketing techniques, designed for individuals seeking digital marketing skills. Eligible for CPF financing.
• Formation Excel A professional software training course on Microsoft Excel spreadsheet skills, covering formulas, data analysis, and automation features, designed for office workers and professionals seeking to upskill.
• Formation Prothésie Ongulaire A professional training in nail prosthesis (nail art, gel, acrylic extensions) covering nail enhancement techniques. Certifiable and CPF-eligible, aimed at aspiring nail technicians.
• Formation Monteur Vidéo A professional training in video editing covering filming, post-production, and video software skills, designed for aspiring video editors and content creators.
• Formation Chef de Projet Événementiel A professional training in event project management covering event planning, logistics, coordination, and project delivery, designed for aspiring event managers.
• BTS MCO (Management Commercial Opérationnel) A French higher education diploma (Bac+2) in commercial management, available in both standard and apprenticeship formats, covering sales, customer relationship management, and operational business management.
• BTS Comptabilité et Gestion A French higher education diploma (Bac+2) in accounting and management, available in apprenticeship (alternance) format, covering financial accounting, cost management, and fiscal compliance.
• BTS NDRC (Négociation et Digitalisation de la Relation Client) A French higher education diploma (Bac+2) in negotiation and digital customer relations, available in apprenticeship format, covering sales negotiation and CRM.
• Titre Certifié Secrétaire Médicale A certified title (RNCP Level 4) for medical secretaries covering administrative operations, patient follow-up, and professional medical communication. Available in standard and apprenticeship formats over 12-16 months. Includes competency block offerings.
• Titre Certifié Assistant(e) de Direction A certified title for executive assistants covering administrative management, scheduling, correspondence, and office operations. Available in apprenticeship (alternance) format.
• Titre Professionnel Assistant(e) Ressources Humaines A professional title (Bac+2) for HR assistants covering payroll, employee relations, and HR administration, available in both standard and apprenticeship formats over 16 months.
• Titre Professionnel Gestionnaire Comptable et Fiscal A professional title (Bac+2) for accounting and tax managers covering financial accounting, tax compliance, and fiscal management, available in apprenticeship format.
• Titre Professionnel Gestionnaire de Paie A professional title (Bac+2) for payroll managers covering payroll processing, social contributions, and HR administration, available in both standard and apprenticeship formats over 12 months.
• Titre Professionnel Manager d'Établissement Marchand (MEM) A professional title (Bac+3) for retail establishment managers, available in apprenticeship format, covering commercial management, team leadership, and store operations.
• Bachelor Paie et Administration du Personnel A Bac+3 degree in payroll and HR administration, available in both standard and apprenticeship formats, covering advanced HR management, payroll strategy, and labor law over 16-20 months.
• Bachelor Ressources Humaines A Bac+3 degree in human resources management, available in both standard and apprenticeship formats, covering talent acquisition, performance management, and HR strategy.
• Bachelor Commerce A Bac+3 degree in commerce and sales management, available in apprenticeship format, covering business development, negotiation, and commercial strategy.
• Bachelor Comptabilité A Bac+3 degree in accounting, available in both standard and apprenticeship formats, covering advanced accounting, financial analysis, and audit.
• Bachelor Marketing & Communication A Bac+3 degree in marketing and communication, available in both standard and apprenticeship formats, covering digital marketing, brand strategy, and communication campaigns.
• Bachelor Marketing Digital A Bac+3 degree in digital marketing, available in both standard and apprenticeship formats, covering SEO, social media, data analytics, and digital advertising.
• MBA Ressources Humaines A Bac+5 MBA in human resources management, available in apprenticeship format, covering strategic HR leadership, organizational development, and talent management.
• MBA Communication A Bac+5 MBA in communication, available in apprenticeship format, covering corporate communication strategy, media relations, and brand management.
• Coaching Carrière A career coaching service providing CV refinement, interview preparation, and job search strategy, offered as a 15-hour structured program that complements the school's diploma and certification programs. Designed to improve employability outcomes for learners.

Quantifiable outcome

• 130,000+ learners trained in 16 years
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Peggy SageminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPeggy Sage is a cosmetics and beauty supplies partner offering L'École Française aesthetics students preferential pricing — 40% discount on Peggy Sage products. The partnership provides kit options at preferential rates to support students in their practical training, particularly for the CAP Esthétique program. Peggy Sage is a recognized brand in the French beauty supplies market.
• France TravailcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFrance Travail (formerly Pôle Emploi) is a government employment agency that refers job seekers to L'École Française for training. Many of the school's courses are eligible for France Travail financing through Aide Individuelle à la Formation (AIF) and other programs. France Travail advisors direct eligible job seekers to the school's programs as part of personalized employment assistance plans.
• Partner Schools NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerL'École Française has established partnerships with recognized French schools (écoles partenaires) whose credentials and prestige lend credibility to the training programs. The school highlights this network to emphasize that graduates benefit from the prestige of partner institutions. Multiple partner school logos are displayed on the website, representing various French higher education institutions.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• AFPA: Major French national vocational training organization delivering CAP, Titre Professionnel, and professional certification programs across many occupational areas. Competes for the same CPF, France Travail, and OPCO-funded learners as L'École Française, but with a more traditional in-person and hybrid delivery model and broader geographic footprint across France.
• Udemy: Global online learning marketplace offering professional and vocational courses in categories like HR, marketing, Excel, real estate, and beauty — many of the same domains as L'École Française. Overlaps on self-paced course delivery and individual learner segments, but Udemy lacks French state-credentialed diplomas and the apprenticeship/B2B enterprise motion.
• Coursera: Global online learning platform partnering with universities to deliver certificates, diplomas, and degree programs, with growing enterprise and credentialing offerings. Overlaps with L'École Française on RNCP-style certification and professional credentialing, but operates at much larger scale, across geographies, and without the same degree of France-specific regulatory integration.
• Galileo Global Education: Large French private higher education group operating numerous schools across France with both online and in-person diploma programs. Overlaps with L'École Française on online professional credentialing and apprenticeship delivery, but operates at significantly greater scale with a broader institutional portfolio rather than a single online brand.
• CNAM (Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers): French public higher education institution specializing in continuing professional education and distance learning, offering RNCP-certified diplomas and degrees to working adults. Overlaps significantly in target learner profile and credential types, but operates as a public-sector institution with a different cost structure and funding model.

Direct peers

• OpenClassrooms: Paris-based online education platform offering RNCP-certified diploma and degree programs (Bachelor, Mastère) in tech, marketing, sales, and business, with strong CPF and alternance integration. Directly comparable in delivery model (100% online), credentialing approach, funding integration, and target learner base (career changers and professionals).
• IFG Executive Education: French executive and professional training provider offering Bachelor, MBA, and certification programs with strong online/distance learning and CPF eligibility. Comparable in diploma/degree catalog, funding integration, and professional learner base, though IFG leans more heavily toward executive-level programs.
• Cegos: Leading French corporate training provider offering professional development programs, certification prep, and B2B enterprise training solutions. Comparable in the B2B enterprise training and certification prep segment and in serving professional development buyers, though Cegos's catalog is more focused on management and soft-skills training than vocational diplomas.
• CESI: French higher education institution offering BTS, Bachelor, and Mastère programs (engineering, IT, management) with significant online/distance learning and strong apprenticeship (alternance) offerings. Comparable in diploma ladder, online delivery, alternance/OPCO funding integration, and target learner base of working adults and career changers.
• Eduservices: French private education group operating multiple specialized school brands delivering BTS, Bachelor, and Titre Professionnel programs online and in hybrid formats. Comparable in offering RNCP-certified professional credentials across HR, accounting, marketing, and digital, with similar CPF/alternance funding model and B2B enterprise motion.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCjASGI6JgRXl2_r6Lysfl-g
• Facebookfacebook.com/lecolefrancaise.fr
• LinkedInfr.linkedin.com/school/ecole-francaise
• Instagraminstagram.com/lecolefrancaise.fr

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The French School