Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Henri-IV High School occupies the site of the former Sainte-Geneviève Abbey, founded around 506 by Clovis after his victory over the Wisigoths. This royal monastery, dedicated to the apostles Peter and Paul, housed the relics of Saint Geneviève and became a high intellectual and religious place. Piled by the Vikings, the abbey was reformed in the 12th century by the genovéfain canons, who established there a school open to the lay, foreshadowing the University. Pierre Abélard founded a school of rhetoric and theology there, marking a turning point in medieval teaching.

In the 17th century, under Louis XIV, the abbey experienced a golden age with an exceptional library of 8,000 volumes and a Cabinet of Curiosities. The cardinal of La Rochefoucauld, founder of the genovéfain order, played a key role. In 1744, Louis XV launched the construction of a new church, future Pantheon, while the abbey housed scholars like Marin Marais. The Revolution drove the canons out in 1790, transforming them into the Central School of the Pantheon, then into the Napoleon High School in 1802, before taking his current name in 1873.

The high school preserves major remains of its past: the 18th century cloister, the Clovis tower (XIIth–XIVth centuries, former bell tower), the chapel (former refectory) and the Hall of Medals (former cabinet of curiosities). Excavations in 1996 revealed Carolingian traces. The central rotunda, built under Louis XIV, is decorated with a fresco by John II Restout (1730) and a staircase of the Prophets in marble. The site, classified as a historical monument, symbolizes the continuity between monastic heritage and educational excellence.

In the 19th century, the high school became a symbol of republican elitism, forming political, scientific and literary personalities. His preparatory classes, among the most famous in France, perpetuate this tradition. The high school is also marked by its resistant history during the two world wars, with commemorative plaques honouring students deported or dead in combat. Today, it remains a pillar of the Latin Quarter, combining academic prestige and architectural heritage.

The establishment is distinguished by its motto Domus Omnibus Una ("A house for all"), inherited from the genovéfain monks. Nicknamed "the high school on the mountain" for its dominant position on Montagne Sainte-Geneviève, it has a historical rivalry with the Lycée Louis-le-Grand. Its buildings, partially opened during Heritage Days, also house remarkable scientific elements, such as the 18th century sundials and a giant armillary sphere (1861).

Future

The lycée is renowned for its excellent results at the baccalaureate, the general competition and the entrance competitions to the grandes écoles, and especially for the literary competitions (Écoles normales supérieure de Paris, Lyon et Cachan, École nationale des charters). He is known for his merit-based elitism and for having trained many French intellectuals, politicians, scientists and personalities.

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