First secular college vers 1540 (≈ 1540)
The beginnings of an education organised in Grenoble.
1651
Foundation of the Jesuit College
Foundation of the Jesuit College 1651 (≈ 1651)
Creation of the future Stendhal High School.
1673
Creation of the solar clock
Creation of the solar clock 1673 (≈ 1673)
Work by Father Bonfa, Jesuit astronomer.
1788
Tile Day
Tile Day 1788 (≈ 1788)
Revolutionary event in front of the school.
1796
Become a Central School
Become a Central School 1796 (≈ 1796)
Transformation during the French Revolution.
1920
Rating of the solar clock
Rating of the solar clock 1920 (≈ 1920)
Protection for historical monuments.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Henri Beyle (Stendhal) - Writer
Former pupil, born in Grenoble.
Jean-François Champollion - Egyptologist
Former college student.
Père Bonfa - Jesuit Astronomy
Creator of the solar clock (1673).
Alexandre Debelle - Painter
Immortalized Tile Day.
Origin and history
The Stendhal High School in Grenoble, now called "Stendhal School City", is a secondary school located in the Place Jean Achard. Founded in 1651 by the Jesuits as Royal Dauphin College, it succeeds a secular college that appeared around 1540. The site still houses 17th-century historical buildings, including an exceptional chapel and solar clock, which was listed as a historic monument in 1920. This dial, designed in 1673 by Father Bonfa, reflects the astronomical and astrological knowledge of the Jesuits.
The school underwent several transformations: central school under the Revolution (1796), imperial high school in 1803, and secondary school for girls in 1887. He welcomed figures such as Stendhal (Henri Beyle) and Champollion, students in the 18th-18th century. The Day of Tiles (1788), a pre-revolutionary event, took place in front of its entrance, immortalized by the painter Alexandre Debelle. The buildings, which had been listed as historic monuments since 1964, also housed the library and museum of Grenoble from 1800 to 1872.
In the 20th century, the lycée internationalises (1987) with bilingual sections, before becoming in 2001 the International School City Europole, leaving the historical premises to the school city Stendhal. Ranked among the best high schools in Isère (5th in 2023), it perpetuates an educational heritage of nearly five centuries, combining architectural heritage and academic excellence.
