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Origin and history

The Lycée Masséna originated in the convent of the decal Augustins, built between 1644 and 1672 in front of the Pont-Vieux de Nice. After the French occupation of 1792, the buildings became a central school, then a high school created by consular decree in 1803. The works, begun in 1805, were completed in 1811, and the establishment opened in 1812 under the direction of François de Orestis, then mayor of Nice.

After the return of Nice County to Savoy in 1814, the high school closed and became a royal college led by the Jesuits until their expulsion in 1848. In 1860, following the annexation of Nice to France, he became again an imperial high school, then a national. Major modernization works were carried out between 1875 and 1931, with the official inauguration by President Gaston Doumergue in 1931.

The high school, originally reserved for boys until 1963, is renowned in tribute to André Masséna, a historical figure linked to his construction. In 1944, five resistant students were shot by the Gestapo, an event commemorated annually. Ranked a historic monument in 2017, it is distinguished by its architecture combining Italian influences and mosaics, as well as its iconic clock tower.

Today, Masséna High School is home to nearly 1,675 students, 840 of whom are in preparatory classes for major schools (CPGE), divided into literary, scientific and economic fields. Its prestige is based on its bicentenary history, its architectural heritage and its role in Nice education, from secondary education to preparations for excellence.

The establishment is also known for its Latin currencies, such as Alta alatis patent ("The sky is open to those who have wings"), and Horas numerem nisi serenas ("I wish to count only the happy hours"), engraved on its clock tower. These elements symbolize its educational and cultural heritage in the region.

Finally, Masséna lycée is part of a network of institutions of excellence at the Nice Academy, with national rankings reflecting its educational quality. Its history, marked by political and architectural transformations, makes it a place of memory and essential knowledge of the French Riviera.

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