Ever imagine walking through the same halls as five Nobel laureates? Here at Lycée Saint-Louis that is a distinct possibility. Lycée Saint-Louis stands as a beacon of academic excellence. It is located in the heart of Paris’s Latin Quarter. This is no ordinary school. It is the only state-funded French lycèe exclusively dedicated to classes préparatoires aux grandes écoles. These classes prepare students for France’s top-tier educational institutions.
Let’s take a step back in time. The story of Lycée Saint-Louis begins in 1280. It was originally known as the Collège d’Harcourt. Robert and Raoul d’Harcourt founded it. Their aim was to provide food and lodging for forty disadvantaged students. The Collège d’Harcourt wasn’t just a residence. It gradually evolved into a prominent center for learning.
During the tumultuous Wars of Religion the college became a stronghold of Catholicism. King Henri IV confiscated its assets and removed its head. Peace eventually returned. The king restructured the colleges educational framework. The Collège d’Harcourt was transformed. It began educating the children of the gentry. Parisian bourgeoisie and scholarship recipients from Normandy also attended.
The 16th century saw the college gain significant recognition. The 17th and 18th centuries witnessed the attendance of historical figures. These included Racine Boileau and Perrault.
In the 18th century the college became a bastion of Jansenists. It produced several prominent philosophes. They opposed the influence of the Jesuits in education. During the 19th century the lycèe faced dramatic transformations. It was repurposed as a prison. It then became a barracks. Finally it served as a reformatory.
In 1812 Napoleon I decreed the reopening of the Collège d’Harcourt. It was intended to accommodate an imperial lycèe. In 1820 the institution was reestablished as the Collège Royal Saint-Louis. It resumed accepting boarders in 1823. After the French Revolution of 1830 the college briefly operated as Lycée Monge. It officially became Lycée Saint-Louis thereafter.
Since 1885 the Lycée Saint-Louis has focused on scientific instruction. The classes préparatoires aux Grandes Écoles were established in 1866. They have been the sole academic focus since 1969. In 1843 a student achieved a milestone. He won the first prize in mathematics at the concours général. These classes prepared students for competitive exams. École Polytechnique and École Normale Supérieure were among them.
A statue of Saint Louis graces the central courtyard. A unique tradition is associated with it. Students admitted to Polytechnique express their gratitude. They splash the statue with red or yellow paint. The color depends on whether the year is even or odd. The statue is repainted white after a few days. This practice explains the gradual fading of its features.
The Lycée Saint-Louis offers mainly scientific courses. These include mathematics physics and engineering. The lycèe Saint-Louis is renowned for its selectivity. It is also known for its teaching quality. It stands alongside Lycées Louis-le-Grand and Henri IV. These are commonly known as the three Lycées of the Sainte-Geneviève hill.
The school features a library accessible to students. It also offers a dormitory and a chapel. Sports facilities include a sports field and gymnasiums. Students engage in sports activities each week. Lycée Saint-Louis has a rich history. It boasts notable alumni including five Nobel laureates. One Fields laureate and one President of France also studied here. Figures like Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Émile Zola and Louis Pasteur graced its halls. As you stand here you are surrounded by a legacy of intellectual rigor. You are in the presence of future innovators and leaders.