Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Esquile College, probably founded in the 14th century, was originally a small Toulouse university institution intended to host scholars. Its name comes from the bell (esquila in Occitan) that rhythmized the students' lives. Initially modest, he had only six students appointed by the Archbishop, living in relative ease thanks to cumulative ecclesiastical benefits. The college was organized around a central courtyard, with housing, a chapel and a barn.

In 1551, under the leadership of the capituls and Henri II, the college was entirely rebuilt to become a major municipal college on the Parisian model, with an emphasis on ancient languages. The works, led by Nicolas Bachelier and other master masons, radically transformed the site between 1554 and 1561. The monumental portal of the rue du Taur, decorated with coats of arms and Renaissance decorations, becomes a symbol of this renewal. The college opened in 1560 under the direction of Bertrand de Lapointe, but was temporarily closed in 1562 due to religious disturbances.

From 1654 on, the doctrinaries took over the direction of the college and made it a renowned establishment, rivaling the Jesuit college. They expanded the buildings, notably with a new wing on Rue de l'Esquile in 1701-1702, and developed a teaching centered on philosophy and humanity. The chapel, decorated in the 17th century, and the interior galleries bear witness to this blissful period. The college finally closed in 1792, during the Revolution, after having welcomed nearly a thousand students at its peak.

After the Revolution, the buildings became a Petit Séminaire in 1809 and then housed administrative offices in the 20th century. The old chapel, transformed into a theatre and cinema, plays a key role in Toulouse's cultural life, especially for Spanish refugees in the 1930s. Since 1997, it has hosted Toulouse's cinema library, while the other buildings house public services such as the Treasury. The portal of the rue du Taur, classified in 1910, and the facades on courtyard, registered in 1992-1993, protect this rare university heritage.

The architecture of the college combines medieval elements, such as the Gothic arches of Rue des Lois, with Renaissance and classical additions, such as stone and alternating brick gates. The courtyard of Taur, with its modern reinforced concrete building, contrasts with the neoclassical facades of the cinematheque. A mural of 1933, Socialism in the Field, discovered in the old chapel, recalls the social history of the place. The Collège de l'Esquile, with its neighbours (Périgord, Foix, Saint-Raymond), is one of the last remains of the medieval Toulouse University.

His famous former students include doctors such as Philippe Pinel and Antoine Portal, revolutionaries such as Fabre d'Eglantine and Joseph Lakanal, and writers such as Maurice de Guérin. These personalities illustrate the importance of the college in the formation of the Toulouse and national elites, from the Enlightenment to the Revolution. Today, the site combines heritage preservation and cultural life, perpetuating its central role in the city.

External links