* Walking: This is very common, especially for younger children living close to their school. Many French towns and villages are designed with walkability in mind.
* Cycling: Biking is also popular, particularly for older children and teenagers. Cycling infrastructure, though improving, isn't universally great across all areas.
* School bus: In rural areas or where schools are further away, school buses are used. These are often yellow, but not always.
* Public transportation: In cities, many children use public transportation like buses, trams, or the metro, often accompanied by a parent or older sibling, especially at younger ages.
* Car: Parents driving their children is also a possibility, but less common than in some other countries, especially for elementary-aged children. Traffic congestion and parking issues in cities make this less appealing.
* Walking + other modes: A combination is common. For instance, a child might walk part of the way and then take a bus.
It's important to note that the emphasis is often on independence and self-sufficiency, with children being encouraged to travel to school on their own from a relatively young age, within safe parameters. This is, however, always tempered by parental assessment of the child's maturity and the safety of the route.