Lycée Camille Sée

Standing here, in the heart of the 15th arrondissement, the Lycée Camille Sée beckons with its imposing Art Deco facade. This grand building, constructed in the heart of the 1930s, was designed by the renowned architect François Le Cœur and his son, whose name lives on in the city’s architectural landscape. The building, now a Monument Historique, boasts wide galleries and a striking courtyard, reflecting the grandeur of the era. Initially intended as a girls’ school, it pays homage to Camille Sée, a prominent politician who championed education reforms for young women during the French Third Republic.
This school holds a special place in the Parisian landscape. Its halls have echoed with the footsteps of many students, including a young Marie-Caroline Le Pen. However, the most famous alumni seem to be from the teaching ranks. Simone de Beauvoir, one of the seminal figures of existentialism, graced this school as a teacher in 1939.
Today, Lycée Camille Sée stands as a testament to educational excellence and a beacon of Parisian history. Its walls have witnessed the echoes of the past, the evolution of education, and the emergence of prominent figures in French society. As you stand before this magnificent institution, let your imagination transport you to the era of its construction, where passion for learning and a commitment to progress were woven into the fabric of the city.