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Origin and history

The Collège Saint-Gengoult de Toul is a religious building emblematic of the transition between Gothic and Renaissance times. Built from the thirteenth century, it is dedicated to Saint Gengoult (or Gangolf d'Avallon), a saint of the eighth century. Its architecture reflects the evolution of styles: the choir and stained glass dates from the 13th century, while the transept and part of the nave are from the 14th century. The facade and the rest of the nave, flamboyant Gothic style, were completed at the end of the 15th century.

The cloister, built between 1510 and 1530, illustrates a unique fusion between the flamboyant Gothic and the Renaissance. Originally designed on a double floor, only the ground floor was realized due to its small dimensions. The bays and vaults remain Gothic, while the exterior facades adopt Renaissance elements. This cloister, classified in 1889, is a rare testimony of this pivotal period.

The college played a central role in Toul's religious and civil life. Its highest tower served as a belfry until the French Revolution. In the 19th century, a restoration campaign was carried out by architects Émile Boeswillwald and Paul Boeswillwald, thus preserving its architectural heritage. The building, classified in 1840, embodies the artistic and spiritual history of Lorraine.

The stained glass windows of the college, especially those of the thirteenth century, are remarkable and have been thoroughly studied. They bear witness to the climax of stained glass art in Lorraine in the late Middle Ages and during the Renaissance. These elements, combined with architecture, make Saint-Gengoult a jewel of the Lorraine heritage.

The college is now owned by the municipality of Toul and remains a place of worship and visit. Its history, marked by reconstructions and restorations, reflects the artistic and religious evolutions of the region, from the Middle Ages to the contemporary era.

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