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Origin and history

The National Military Prytanee of La Flèche came into being in 1604, when King Henri IV founded a Jesuit college in his "Château-Neuf" in La Flèche, Anjou. This ambitious educational project, with 300,000 pounds and an annual income of 20,000 pounds, aims to "educate young people and make them in love with science, honour and virtue". The plans of the college and its church, designed by the royal architect Louis Métezeau, are made under the supervision of Father Étienne Martellange. From its first year, the school welcomes nearly 1,000 students, becoming one of the most prestigious Jesuit colleges after the one at Clermont in Paris. The heart of Henry IV, in accordance with his will, was transferred in 1610 and retained until its destruction in 1793.

Over the centuries, the college has undergone major transformations. After the expulsion of the Jesuits in 1762, he became a "School of Cadets" in 1764 under Louis XV, then a "Royal Military College" in 1776. The French Revolution marked a turning point: the royal cenotaphs were burned in 1793, and the buildings served in turn as a hospital, a saltpeter factory, and an administrative seat. In 1808, Napoleon I established the Military Prytanee, an institution designed to train 400 students, including 200 fellows from modest military families. The school established itself as a pool of cadres for the French army, while going through political and financial crises, especially under the Third Republic.

The Prytanea is organized around two distinct neighbourhoods: the Henri IV district, a historical monument, houses the preparatory classes for the major military schools, while the Gallieni district welcomes the secondary classes. Its architecture, marked by enfilade courses, a baroque church (Saint-Louis) and French gardens, bears witness to its royal and Jesuit heritage. The establishment perpetuates centuries-old traditions, such as the "Festival of Trim" or groups of pupils in "neighbourhoods" (Taupe, Corniche, Flotte), while adapting to social developments, such as the opening to girls in 1983.

In the 20th century, Prytanea played a key role in the two world wars, serving as a military hospital in 1914-1918 and sheltering resistance in 1939-1945. His former students, including Marshals (Gallieni), astronauts (Jean-François Clervoy), or writers (Antoine Compagnon), illustrate his influence. Today, the National Military Prytanee combines academic training and preparation for military careers, while preserving an exceptional architectural and memorial heritage, like the ashes of the heart of Henry IV, restored in 1814.

The establishment is also marked by polemics, such as accusations of "deviated traditions" in 2019 or cases of sexual violence revealed in 2025. Despite these challenges, it remains a symbol of French military education, ranked among the Defence high schools and recognized for its academic excellence. Its history, intimately linked to that of France, makes it a unique place where national memory, Baroque architecture and educational tradition intersect.

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