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Origin and history

The convent of the Ursulines of Saint-Denis, founded in 1640 at Rue des Ursulines, was a major religious and educational place. The Ursulines added to their vows a mission of instruction for the young girls, while welcoming personalities such as Anne of Austria and Louis XIV during the Fronde, strengthening his reputation. This pedagogical role and its link with the monarchy made it an influential institution until the Revolution.

In 1792, the suppression of religious communities by the National Assembly forced the Ursulines to leave. The convent successively became a supply shop for the Ministry of the Interior (1799), then a municipal hospital in 1831. In the 19th century, partial demolitions (chapel, cloister) were undertaken by contractors to recover the materials, before the site passed into the hands of co-owners from 1956.

Since 1986, façades, roofs and a 17th century staircase have been classified as historical monuments. Despite consolidation under state control, the building suffers from a lack of funding for its complete restoration. A chimney collapsed in 2017, illustrating the urgency of repairs. At the same time, the co-owners and association Les Amis du Couvent organize visits and cultural events (Heritage Days, concerts) to enhance this heritage.

Today, the convent houses some 60 co-owners, united by a common settlement. The Association of Friends of the Convent, founded in 1989, promotes the venue through free events such as Film Festival or concerts. The site, open on weekends, also serves as a setting for filming (films, advertisements), mixing historical preservation and contemporary dynamism.

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