Beyond this bustling Parisian street lies a hidden gem. It’s no longer a hub of activity but a silent sentinel of time. This is the former site of the École Privée Technique Petrelle. Founded in 1883, it wasn’t always known by that name. Originally, it was a humble parish school for boys called École Paroissiale de Garçons Saint-Vincent-de-Paul. Imagine the sounds of children playing in these halls, their laughter echoing through the corridors. The school changed hands several times, from the Frères des écoles Chrétiennes to lay directors, and even to the Marianist religious order. It finally adopted the name École Privée Technique Petrelle in 1962, focusing on vocational training in accounting, secretarial skills, and commerce. At its peak, almost a thousand students filled these rooms. Financial difficulties led to its closure in 2007. However, the story didn’t end there. Since 2008, these renovated halls have housed the senior students of Lycée Rocroy-Saint-Léon, keeping the spirit of education alive within these very walls. Imagine the stories these walls could tell if they could speak.
Église Notre-Dame de l’Air
Beneath what appears to be a simple stone and wood structure lies a history interwoven with faith aviation and community.