Ever wondered what lies behind the walls of this impressive school? Collège et Lycée Jacques Decour has a rich history. It has witnessed generations of students pass through its halls.
The story of Collège et Lycée Jacques Decour begins in 1821. It started as the private Collège Sainte-Barbe. In 1830 it was renamed Collège Rollin. The school moved in 1876. It relocated from the Quartier Latin to avenue Trudaine near Montmartre.
The building stands on the site of former Montmartre abattoirs. These were demolished in 1867. The architect Napoléon Alexandre Roger designed the current building. Construction took place between 1867 and 1876.
In 1919 Collège Rollin became Lycée Rollin. Then in 1944 it received its current name. It was renamed in honor of Jacques Decour. He was a former teacher and French Resistance fighter. Jacques Decour was his pseudonym. His real name was Daniel Decourdemanche. He was executed in 1942. Collège et Lycée Jacques Decour is the only secondary school in Paris named after a former teacher.
Let’s step inside Collège et Lycée Jacques Decour. The school boasts four courtyards. It also has a chapel, a theater, and a museum. The school covers 3.5 hectares.
The theater has a rotating stage. This allowed for easy set changes. Each student had an assigned numbered seat. Report cards were distributed publicly. This ceremony was dreaded by many students.
The chapel features beautiful stained glass. Floral motifs adorn the windows. The chapel organ was silent for over 30 years. In 1974 a music teacher named Bernard Maugui revived it. He and his students restored the instrument. Nearly 500 people attended the annual concert. Boris Lefeivre played the organ at lunchtime. He entertained teachers and students.
The library holds over 10500 books and magazines. It is a treasure trove of knowledge. The library has been used as a film set. It served as Arsène Lupin’s headquarters in a movie. Old class photos show students and teachers wearing ties.
Collège et Lycée Jacques Decour also has a cabinet of physics. It contains instruments from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Collège et Lycée Jacques Decour has a legacy of intellectual and political engagement. In 1967 Maurice Najman founded the Comités d’action lycéens here. These committees played a central role in the events of May 1968.
Many notable figures have attended Collège et Lycée Jacques Decour. These include painter Édouard Manet and sociologist Edgar Morin.
Collège et Lycée Jacques Decour remains a vibrant center of learning. It’s a place where history and education meet. Its rich past continues to inspire future generations. The school continues to shape the minds of tomorrow.