What secrets does the Groupe scolaire Paul Langevin hold within its walls? This seemingly ordinary school, nestled between the Langevin and Gabriel Péri housing projects, has a story to tell. Groupe scolaire Paul Langevin wasn’t always its name. It was once known as Groupe scolaire Henri Wallon. Its location on the Chouard land, purchased by the city of Saint-Denis, was strategically chosen. It sits midway between the two housing projects, separated only by Rue Bonnevide. This explains the lack of school facilities within the housing areas themselves. Groupe scolaire Paul Langevin served the children of these communities.
The story of Groupe scolaire Paul Langevin begins in 1963. The initial plan was ambitious. It included a kindergarten, separate elementary schools for girls and boys, a gymnasium, housing, and even a planned but never realized aerated center. The kindergarten and teacher housing were initially slated for the Péri housing project. However, in 1966, plans changed. The Departmental Youth and Sports Service informed the city that the Paul Eluard high school’s sports facilities, intended for kindergarten use, were at capacity. This led to the kindergarten and housing being relocated to the elementary school site. This ensured easy access to the gymnasium.
The original six-classroom kindergarten design was modified. It was split into two four-classroom schools, increasing the total capacity to eight classrooms. The project’s scope shifted over time. In 1964, the plan to build teacher housing was abandoned in favor of only the caretaker’s lodging. However, the teacher housing was reinstated in 1965. Construction of Groupe scolaire Paul Langevin, using load-bearing cement aggregate walls, took place between 1970 and 1972. The elementary school’s layout was symmetrical, reflecting the gender-separated education system of the time. The kindergarten was later renamed “Maternelle Bas-Prés”, and a prefabricated leisure center was added in 2000.
A unique touch graces Groupe scolaire Paul Langevin. A “1% for art” project resulted in a copper-leaf sculpture by Marcel Bodat. This sculpture, themed “Taking Flight”, stands before the school’s housing building, adding an artistic flair to the complex. Groupe scolaire Paul Langevin reflects the evolution of educational planning and community needs in Saint-Denis. From name changes to shifting plans and artistic additions, this school complex carries the echoes of its past. It continues to serve its purpose, educating generations of children in the heart of the community.