A small Montessori school in the French Alps.
Roissard · Trièves · France
Menthe Abricot Cerise
A child-centred, nature-connected Montessori school in the Trièves, 35 minutes south of Grenoble.
For children aged 3 to 12, in a small, parent-led community.
A different way of growing up, within reach of Grenoble.
Is this the kind of school you’re looking for?
Perhaps you are moving to Grenoble from another country.
Perhaps your family is returning to France after several years abroad.
Perhaps your child already knows Montessori education.
Or perhaps you are simply looking for a smaller, more personal school where nature, autonomy and relationships matter.
Menthe Abricot Cerise might be worth discovering.
We are a deliberately small Montessori school where children are known individually, learn at their own pace and grow within a close-knit community.
Our School at a glance
3-6 and 6-12
Two Montessori environments
20-40
Children in total
4 days / week
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
35 minutes
from Grenoble
Non-profit
Parent-led association
Community
Welcoming, helpful, international
Our school hours: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Childcare available : from 8:00 to 8:30 am and until 6:00 pm
What makes us different ?
🌱 Nature
Learning in close connection with nature
🧭 Autonomy
Children develop independence and confidence
👥 Small community
A school where children and families are genuinely known
🤝 Participation
A school built and supported by its families
Not a large international school.
Not a conventional private school.
Something smaller, more personal and more connected to its community.
Montessori, every day
Our school is based on the Montessori approach and its fundamental principles:
- mixed-age environments;
- carefully prepared learning spaces;
- hands-on materials;
- freedom of choice within a structured environment;
- individualised learning;
- long periods of concentration;
- respect for each child’s rhythm;
- an adult who observes, guides and accompanies.
Children are encouraged to become increasingly independent, curious and confident.
Learning is not about competition between children.
It is about helping each child discover how they learn, what they are capable of, and where their curiosity can take them.
Alongside Montessori, each environment has a weekly half-day of Forest School. This regular time outdoors gives children the opportunity to explore, observe, experiment and learn through direct contact with nature.
Many other activities also take place outside, because the natural environment offers rich opportunities for movement, discovery, cooperation and concentration. At our school, the outdoors is not simply a break from learning: it is an essential part of the educational experience.
Two Montessori environments
Children’s House (ages 3–6)
Our Children’s House is a gentle, welcoming environment where children aged 3 to 6 can grow, explore and discover the world at their own pace. Inspired by Montessori principles, the prepared environment invites children to choose, experiment, concentrate and gradually become more independent. In this mixed-age setting, younger and older children learn from and with one another, developing cooperation, confidence and respect. Surrounded by nature and supported by caring educators, each child is encouraged to follow their own path while growing as part of a small, diverse and open-minded group.
Elementary (ages 6-12)
Our Elementary environment welcomes children aged 6 to 12 in a stimulating and supportive setting where curiosity, independence and a love of learning can flourish. Inspired by Montessori principles, children are encouraged to explore ideas deeply, make connections between subjects and develop their own thinking through hands-on experiences, research and collaboration. The mixed-age environment fosters mutual support, responsibility and respect, while allowing each child to progress at their own pace. Surrounded by nature and connected to the wider world, children gradually develop the confidence, knowledge and curiosity to understand their place in it. At Menthe Abricot Cerise, Peace Education becomes alive in our students’ every day life.
A school built by families
Menthe Abricot Cerise is a non-profit school run through a family association.
Parents are actively involved in the life of the school: administration, events, maintenance, communication, the garden, equipment, after-school activities and many other aspects of everyday life.
Each family contributes at least six volunteer days per year, as well as participating in school cleaning and other shared responsibilities.
This model requires commitment.
But it also creates something precious:
a school where families know each other, where children grow within a real community, and where everyone contributes to making the project possible.
Our participatory model also helps us keep school fees moderate for a private school.
For international and internationally-minded families
We welcome families with different cultural, linguistic and educational backgrounds.
Our school may be a good fit if you are:
Moving to Grenoble from abroad
for research, university, technology, business or other professional opportunities.
Returning to France after living abroad
and looking for a school that feels open, personal and familiar with different educational cultures.
Already familiar with Montessori
and looking for a small Montessori community in the French Alps.
Considering a more rural lifestyle
while keeping Grenoble within reach for work, university, culture and services.
Planning to live in France for a limited period
and looking for a welcoming, human-scale school for your child.
Our families include and have included parents from New Zealand, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Romania, Belgium… but also French families having traveled or lived on all continents and who share their love of discovery and diversity.
Whatever brings you here, we are happy to talk.
🇫🇷 My child doesn’t speak French. Can they join?
This is one of the first questions many international families ask.
Menthe Abricot Cerise is not a bilingual French-English school.
French is the main language of the school.
English is present through specific activities and workshops, and some members of our team have experience in bilingual and English-speaking educational environments.
Other languages are spoken by our educators, among which Italian.
But we also have experience in welcoming children who had no knowledge of French, and spoke a language unknown to our staff or families. Patience, adaptation, caring, and simple every day tools developed by our educators, plus an open-minded and welcoming community of both children and adults, made this experience a success for all.
Whether our school is suitable for a child who does not yet speak French depends on their age, previous schooling, personality and individual situation… as well as the balance and energy of the Montessori environment corresponding to their age group.
If your child does not speak French yet, please reach out!
We would be happy to talk about your projects and assist you through the decision-making process.
Why the Trièves?
Live in the French Alps. Work in Grenoble.
Menthe Abricot Cerise is located in Roissard, in the Trièves, approximately 35 minutes south of Grenoble.
The Trièves offers a very different environment from the city:
mountains, forests, villages, farms, outdoor activities and a strong local community.
For some families, this setting can make moving to France an outstanding life experience.
You can work in Grenoble while giving your children the experience of growing up in a small rural mountain community.
And if you are considering moving to the area, we can help you discover the local environment and, when possible, connect you with our networks.
Nearby
Grenoble — approx. 35 min
Monestier-de-Clermont — approx. 10 min
Mens — approx. 20 min
Clelles — approx. 20 min
What happens next ?
So, can Menthe Abricot Cerise be a match for you and your family ?
It’s time to reach out ! It’s as simple as 1, 2, 3 !
01 — Tell us about your family
Send us a message and tell us a little about your child and your plans.
02 — Let’s talk
We can answer your questions by email or arrange an initial conversation. If French is not comfortable for you, we will try to find someone in our community who can speak your language… if this is not available, we’re sure to make it work anyways : technology will bridge the gap !
03 — Come and visit
If you are already in the area, we would be delighted to welcome you to the school. Either during our « Open School » days, or on a private appointment with some of our educational staff and community members.
Find us
Menthe Abricot Cerise
Le Tiroulet, Maissenas
38650 Roissard
Contact us
Apart from our educational team, every member of our team is a volunteer.
Please indicate your email (and French phone number if you have one) on this form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Let’s talk soon !