Lycée d’État Jean Zay

Charles Brunold, a dedicated professor, noticed a problem. Young women from outside Paris, even if brilliant, struggled to compete for spots in the prestigious Grandes Écoles. This observation, made in the 1920s, stayed with him. Fast forward to post-World War II France. The number of women in higher education was growing, but the challenge remained. This is how the Lycée d’État Jean Zay’s story began. Brunold, now Inspector General of Education, envisioned a haven for these ambitious young women. A place where they could live and study, free from the burdens of finding lodging in the capital. He secured funding and chose a site in the 16th arrondissement. The Lycée d’État Jean Zay wouldn’t be just any dormitory, it would be a testament to modernist architecture. The task fell to Urbain Cassan, a student of the renowned Le Corbusier. Imagine sleek lines, geometric forms, and those signature Corbusier windows, all set amidst a peaceful garden. The Lycée d’État Jean Zay opened its doors in 1953, initially called “Le Foyer des Lycéennes.” Over the decades, it expanded with annexes and, eventually, in 2006, it was renamed in honor of Jean Zay, a champion of educational reform tragically assassinated during World War II. Today, the Lycée d’État Jean Zay is a beacon of opportunity, open to both young men and women. It stands as a reminder that talent knows no gender or postcode, and that sometimes, all it takes is a supportive environment to help dreams take flight.