Lycée Pierre-Corneille

Rouen, France

The Lycée Pierre-Corneille (also known as the Lycée Corneille) is a school founded in 1593. It was founded by the Archbishop of Rouen, Charles, Cardinal de Bourbon and run by the Jesuits to educate the children of the aristocracy and bourgeoisie in accordance with the purest doctrinal principles of Roman Catholicism. It adopted the name Pierre Corneille in 1873. Today it educates students in preparation for university and Grandes écoles.

The gatehouse and chapel were built between 1614 and 1631. The chapel blends both late gothic and classical architectural styles in its 52m long nave. In 1762 the school became known as the Collège Royal after the Jesuits had been expelled from France. After the French Revolution it became associated with the 'Ecole Centrale' following the ideas of the Age of Enlightenment, and reducing study of humanities in favour of a broader-based curriculum.

After 1803 it became known as the 'Lycée Impérial' and taught humanities and mathematics following the principles and discipline of the Napoleonic code. Successful students were awarded the Baccalauréat and subjects increased to include languages and Natural Sciences. The school then developed a two-year 'post baccalaureate' curriculum that enabled entry to the Grandes écoles.

In 1873, the Lycée was renamed 'Lycée Pierre-Corneille' in honour of the alumnus, the 17th century writer and academic, Pierre Corneille. At this time the petit lycée was added for younger pupils. In 1890 the sports club Les Francs Joueurs was founded.

Since 1918 the school has run a Norwegian 'college' that houses typically twenty-four boys for three years each. During World War I it served as a military hospital. In World War II it was commandeered by the German army, and was then bombed in September 1942 and on April 19, 1944.

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Founded: 1593
Category: Miscellaneous historic sites in France

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en.wikipedia.org

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User Reviews

jean francois Romain (7 months ago)
Secondary education establishment: "public high school" according to French terminology, therefore completely free and accessible to all residents, French and foreign, under the same conditions, because financed from State funds and from the Normandy Region (fees may be collected for non-educational services such as the canteen). Corneille provides general education preparing for the 'baccalaureate' disciplines. This diploma certifies the end of secondary studies and opens access (without competition in France) to all universities in the country through a very sophisticated registration system on the Internet. On the other hand, access to 'grandes écoles' and to specialized courses (engineering studies, business management, medicine, etc.) will require additional, more demanding preparation for specific entrance exams. This open and very democratic system emphasizes the learning of 'values' and social behaviors promoting 'living together', sometimes to the detriment of academic level.
Edward_rmy (9 months ago)
The teaching is qualitative but the regional staff, especially those assigned to the school canteen, are absolutely execrable. They don’t know polite expressions and we have to insist 2 or 3 times before getting a response to a simple “hello”. In addition, the food is inedible and even downright vile. As soon as we have the misfortune of questioning the sometimes very hazardous functioning of the school we are made to understand that if we continue there will be sanctions (obviously arbitrary). Apart from that, the teachers are very competent and they do everything to support the students towards success.
Tao Eliot (9 months ago)
Nothing is going well, high school which grades at the head, mediocre teaching, constant construction work for years, infamous canteen. At all costs avoid
Lidia Anashkina (15 months ago)
The oldest educational institution in Rouen, which has produced many celebrities talented in many fields. The highest level of education.
Socofi (21 months ago)
It's no longer a high school, it's a building site
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