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Origin and history

Hoche de Versailles High School occupies the buildings of the former Queen's convent, built between 1767 and 1772 under the direction of architect Richard Mique. This convent, intended for the canonesses of Saint-Augustin, also hosted an educational institution for young girls from the families of court servants. Inaugurated in 1773, it housed up to 80 permanent residents, with a total of 383 pupils between 1772 and 1789. The establishment, renowned for the quality of its teaching, closed after the departure of the royal family in October 1789, marking the end of its educational success.

After the French Revolution, the convent was nationalized and had several uses: occupation by the Society of Human Rights in 1793, transformation into a military hospital in 1794, and then into a grain warehouse until 1800. In 1801 the city of Versailles requested the creation of a high school to replace the central school of the department. By consular decree of 24 September 1803 the former convent became an imperial high school, officially inaugurated on 2 May 1807 under the direction of the first principal, Dieudonné Thiébault. In 1809 he was ranked among the eight first-class high schools of the Empire.

The lycée underwent several major changes: in 1888 he was renamed Hoche High School in tribute to General Lazare Hoche, born in Versailles. During World War I (1914-1919) he served as a military hospital run by the Red Cross. In the 20th century, it was distinguished by innovative educational initiatives, such as the introduction of computer science in the 1970s via the Experience of 58 High Schools. Today, the high school welcomes students from the college to the preparatory classes, with restored buildings keeping the chapel classified as a historical monument since 1926 and the facades registered since 1969.

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