Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

The former Ronsard High School in Vendôme is a composite monument, mixing architectural elements from the 13th, 15th, 17th and 18th centuries. Its history begins with the foundation of a hospital in the 12th century on the road to Compostela, intended to welcome pilgrims, poor and sick. The chapel, dedicated to Santiago, was consecrated in 1203, but suffered major damage in 1362 when the English ransacked. Reconstructed and reconsecrated in 1452, it was enriched with additions at the end of the 15th or early 16th century, including an original square-based bell tower becoming octagonal on its top floor, adorned with isolated columns.

The 17th century marked the transformation of the site into a school complex, with the creation of the Royal College. Its architecture, organised around a cloister, illustrates a transition between monacal and educational destinations. The honorary courtyard, lined with buildings on Rue Saint-Jacques, reflects three centuries of architectural evolution, mixing medieval, Renaissance and classical influences. The facades and roofs of the buildings, as well as the chapel, were protected under the Historic Monuments in 1921 and 1978 respectively.

The Hotel du Saillant, integrated into the whole, dates from the 15th, 17th and 18th centuries, completing this varied heritage. Today owned by the commune of Vendôme, the site bears witness to the religious, hospital and educational history of the city, while offering a rare example of the superposition of functions and architectural styles over centuries. The location on the road to Compostela and the presence of a chapel dedicated to Santiago underline its historic role in welcoming travelers and faithful.

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