The French school network’s start of term in Mauritius (Lycée des Mascareignes, Lycée La Bourdonnais, École du Centre Pierre Poivre, École du Nord, École Paul et Virginie) is set for Friday 28 August 2026. You’ve probably already bought your school supplies. For the latecomers, no panic, this article is for you.
Good news: if your kids are enrolled in a French-system school in Mauritius, the supply lists look almost identical to what you’d get in France. Seyes-ruled exercise books, HB pencils, practical work materials, it’s all there.
The difference is that in Mauritius, unlike in France where the local supermarket is usually enough, the exact items aren’t always easy to find everywhere. A 17×22 Seyes exercise book, 64 pages, polypro with a clear cover, or an A5 sketch pad without spirals, isn’t something you’ll just stumble on in any shop. Here’s where to go.
Where to find school supplies
Bureau Vallée (Grand Baie, La Croisette)
A safe bet for classic stationery, with the usual big brands (Clairefontaine, Maped, Casio…). It’s the only outlet of this chain in Mauritius, but it offers two handy services: paid book covering, and free preparation of your supply list in store, in just a couple of hours, if you’d rather drop off your list than hunt down every item shelf by shelf.
Éditions Le Printemps (Vacoas, also present in Port-Louis and Curepipe)
This is also where you’ll find school textbooks. ELP works in partnership with the Ministry of Education and represents major British and French publishers, which makes it a reliable address for French curriculum textbooks. It’s the address we go through to order the school’s textbooks. The Vacoas store also stands out for its range, much wider than what you’d find in a supermarket, and the ground floor is worth a detour just for the comics and manga section.
Practical tip: there’s free parking right across from the building.
Hobby World (6 locations: Plaisance Village in Rose Belle, St Jean Road in Quatre Bornes, Bourbon Street in Port-Louis, Ave Swami Sivananda in Curepipe, Mahogany Mall in Beau Plan, Queen Street in Rose-Hill)
The big advantage at Hobby World: you can hand over your supply list and they put the basket together for you. They’re used to handling supply lists for French schools. A real time-saver when the list runs two pages long and you’re already juggling a dozen other back-to-school errands.
Good to know: delivery is available on order, with a click & collect option if you’d rather pick it up yourself.
Back to school isn’t just about stationery
Uniforms are part of the package too. Depending on the school, they’re either provided directly or you’ll need to buy them yourself at school shops recommended by the establishment. Check with the school early on so you’re not caught off guard.
Brace your wallet if you need to buy everything from scratch though! Beyond the polo shirt and shorts/skirt, think cardigan, raincoat, and cap too.
The real cost of back to school
Private school fees are already a significant budget, but the bill climbs fast once you add:
- uniforms,
- canteen meals,
- the school van,
- extracurricular activities.
Something to plan for in your expat budget, especially in your first year when you’re still discovering all these extra expense categories.
Ways to cut the bill
Fortunately, there are ways to spend less. Some schools and parent associations, like the APECs, regularly organise second-hand book and uniform sales. A good opportunity to save money, especially on uniforms, since kids outgrow them from one year to the next anyway. Don’t hesitate to check directly with your children’s school’s parent association to find out if a sale is planned before term starts. There are also Facebook groups worth checking.
Check directly with your children’s school for the exact supply list and uniform policy, as each school has its own requirements.
