Who knew a street could hold so much history? Welcome to Rue Baggio in Lille. This unassuming street is more than just a thoroughfare. It’s a living testament to the legacy of Cesar Baggio a remarkable man whose vision shaped this city.
In 1893 Cesar Baggio a Lille council member left a substantial sum 50000 francs to establish a vocational school. His generous bequest wouldn’t immediately bear fruit. It took time.
The school finally opened its doors in 1899. It was located on Rue Racine. Twenty-seven students eagerly began their apprenticeships. They learned trades in printing woodworking and metalworking.
By 1914 the school’s popularity exploded. It had 183 students representing twelve different professions. The building was already too small. The students devoted fifty hours a week to their studies including thirty hours of hands-on workshop time.
An annex Saint-Venant was added in 1926. This expansion enabled them to accept more students and broaden the curriculum to include weaving and watchmaking.
The school then experienced a dark chapter during the Second World War. German occupation disrupted its operations. The school functioned only in the mornings. The afternoon was reserved for a separate primary school Franklin. Sadly some staff and students suffered arrests and deportations. Bombs damaged the building in 1943 and 1944. Exams took place in air raid shelters. A teacher Mr Deken an active member of the Resistance was executed.
Despite the hardship the school persevered. In 1947 it began preparing students for the technical baccalaureate. A state-run boarding house opened in 1956.
The school’s evolution continued. In 1962 it became a technical high school. Economic and commercial sections moved elsewhere along with their teachers. A new building was constructed on Boulevard d’Alsace in 1965. It then became a state technical high school in 1969. The secondary school gained autonomy in 1970 and 1971.
Expansion continued in the years that followed. Construction on an extension began in June 1981. The new boarding house and half-board opened in 1982-1983. Administration moved to the new building in May 1983. The central building was finished in 1986. Since then renovations have been ongoing.
Today the Cesar Baggio high school stands as a proud institution. It has over 2500 students. It’s a lasting tribute to Cesar Baggio’s legacy. A reminder that a single act of generosity can have a profound and enduring impact. This humble street Rue Baggio whispers tales of resilience. It speaks of education. And it honors a man whose vision continues to shape the future.