Did you know that Lycée Michelet in Vanves boasts a history spanning 150 years? Right before you stands this remarkable school. Its story begins not as a standalone institution but as an annex of the prestigious Lycée Louis-le-Grand in Paris. Established in 1864 the Lycée Michelet was initially used for military training.
Napoleon III granted the Lycée Michelet its independence after a visit with his son and wife Eugenie. He wished it to be named after his son the Prince Imperial. The emperor commissioned the architect Louis-Joseph Duc to expand the chateau. It eventually grew to an impressive 500 meters long. Twenty classrooms were built within the expanded complex.
Under the direction of Jean-Baptiste Jullien the Lycée Michelet’s boarding school flourished. It provided a familial environment for boys aged 6 to 12 from bourgeois families. Some students sons of diplomats or soldiers would go months without seeing their parents. The Lycée Michelet withstood the Paris Commune of 1870. Scars of those battles remain on some walls. In 1888 it adopted its final name Michelet honoring an opponent of Napoleon III.
Later additions included an open-air swimming pool and large brick infirmaries. Records show the presence of “berceuses” women who sang lullabies to sleep the students. The Lycée Michelet gradually expanded to include secondary and preparatory classes. During World War I its infirmaries were requisitioned to treat soldiers. The writer Celine stayed there for a short time. The 1920s saw students of all nationalities. Even sons of the Afghan royal family attended.
The only interruption in the Lycée Michelet’s routine was World War II when the Germans occupied the site. The Nazis fled in August 1944 and classes resumed a month later. The teachers’ lounge witnessed violent clashes during May 1968. In the 1970s some students cultivated cannabis on the roofs.
Today Lycée Michelet houses a college a general education high school and preparatory classes. Its rich past continues to create a unique atmosphere. Approximately 2300 students attend this remarkable institution. The Lycée Michelet a place where history and education intertwine. It remains a testament to the enduring spirit of learning and its unique place in Parisian history.