“Ever pondered why this passage is called Passage des Écoles?” Today we explore this charming, yet subtly named part of Marseille. Passage des Écoles translates simply to “Passage of the Schools”. Its story revolves around the educational history of this area.
Before 1888 Marseille had a diverse range of schools. These included public secular schools and public religious schools. There were also private secular schools and private religious schools. Imagine the educational landscape. It was a mix of different philosophies and approaches.
In Endoume the first boys’ school emerged in 1820. The Brothers of Christian Schools founded it. The location was Place de la Croix. This is now known as Place St Eugène. These religious figures managed the school. They continued until the Jules Ferry laws came into effect. These laws concerned the secularization of staff in secular schools. This meant the replacement of religious staff. A secular director Mr J B Lapierre was appointed in 1888.
The free schools were easy to establish. All you needed was to apply with a certificate of morality. Victor Sarrobert opened one in 1865. His school was on Chemin d’Endoume after the Croix. Mr Savajol opened another in 1894. This was at 26 Rue du Vallon des Auffes. Auguste Astic started one in 1903. His school was at 8 Bd Bensa.
Girls’ education faced some neglect. Despite the Falloux laws of 1850 mandating a primary school for girls in towns with over 800 residents. In 1853 a Catholic school for girls opened. It was extra-muros in Endoume. Religious sisters of the Holy Name of Jesus and Mary ran it. It accommodated 48 students. The Sisters of St Charles established a religious school in 1860. It was for 295 students at 258 Rue d’Endoume. A nursery was added in 1868. These schools became secular in 1900. They then moved to Bd M Thomas in 1906.
At the start of the 20th century many small private schools appeared. They had varying lifespans some lasting from 1 to 50 years. This proliferation of schools likely contributed to the naming of Passage des Écoles.
In Vallon de l’Oriol the first school opened in 1866. A normalien founded it at the corner of Impasse de l’Avenir. It remained the only school serving the Vallon and the Plateau areas. A proposed private school near the parish premises at 113 Bd Bompard never materialized.
A public school for girls was established in 1865. The Sisters of St Charles managed it. It was at the bottom of Rue de l’Ecole. Secular teachers replaced them in 1887. They then opened a private school nearby. Miss Escoffier opened the Plateau school in 1906. The children’s class there accepted both girls and boys. Only one small private school was recorded in 1903 in Vallon. It was Villa La Chaumière. Mrs Alessandrini directed it. She had been the director of the private secular school at 47 Rue de la Colline in 1888.
Today Passage des Écoles stands as a reminder. It reflects the educational evolution of Marseille. It shows the city’s commitment to learning. It highlights the diverse educational options available in the past. As you walk through remember the generations of students. Their pursuit of knowledge shaped this passage. It is more than just a street. It is a pathway through history.