Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Fortet College, also known as the College of Fortet, was founded in 1394 by the will of Pierre Fortet, Canon and Chancellor of Notre-Dame de Paris. Originally from Aurillac, Forte bequeathed three Parisian houses to create a college welcoming eight schoolchildren: four from the diocese of Saint-Flour (priorly related to the founder) and four poor from the diocese of Paris, each receiving 5 floors a week. The choice finally took place on a house rue des Sept-Voies (current 21 rue Valette), near the abbey Sainte-Geneviève, after evaluation of several buildings by artisans in 1396-1397.

The college experienced several expansions, notably in 1415, and its capacity increased from 8 to 20 schoolchildren between 1562 and 1574, keeping the proportion of students d'Aurillac. Calvin's tower, acquired in 1417, became famous when Jean Calvin took refuge before fleeing Paris in 1533, after a controversial speech by his friend Nicolas Cop. The college was partially rebuilt in 1560, then reunited at the Collège Louis-le-Grand in 1764, while preserving the scholarships for the Aurillacois. Its Gothic cellars were classified as a historical monument in 1925.

In the Faculty of Arts, the college taught grammar, rhetoric, dialectics (basic level), as well as arithmetic, geometry, astronomy and music (upper level), preparing for the degree of master of arts. In 1585 it became a key place of the Holy League, hosting the assembly that elected the Council of Sixteen. Among his notable figures are Jean Chanteprime (first principal), Arnaud de Bruxelles (printer and manuscript donor), and Bernard Collot (canon and copyist of ancient manuscripts).

The site, now located at 19-21 rue Valette, preserves 14th century remains. A History of Paris panel recalls its past, while its medieval manuscripts (such as Genesis and exodus or Libri regum cum glossa) bear witness to its cultural role. The college illustrates the evolution of Parisian university institutions, between medieval heritage and modern transformations.

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