Part of a Series on Vincentian Heritage Places

College de Clermont, Paris

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Around 1631, Vincent de Paul arranged for Louise’s son Michel to study at the former Jesuit college which was called the College de Clermont at that time.

“Facing Rue Saint Jacques, at number 46, on the northeast corner of the Sorbonne, was the church of Saint Benoit. This parish, home of the third Confraternity of Charity founded in Paris, was served by Daughters of Charity in the year of their foundation, 1633. its name appears across the street on a small private passageway, the Rue du Cimetiere Saint Benoit, at about 50 bis, rue Saint Jacques. The parish was suppressed in 1790 and its buildings demolished in 1854. Its main entry has been reerected in the gardens of the Cluny museum.

Next to the Saint Benoit site stands the former Jesuit college. Called the College de Clermont in Vincent’s time, it became known in 1682 as Louis le Grand, now the Lycee General Louis le Grand (123, rue Saint Jacques, Paris 5). Among its students was the unhappy Michel Antoine Le Gras, (1613- 1696), son of Louise de Marillac. Vincent de Paul arranged for his studies here.” (in 1631 according to CCD 1:99) (Source: In the Footsteps of Vincent de Paul: A Guide to Vincentian France by John E. Rybolt C.M.

17th-century façade on rue Saint-Jacques shortly before demolition, early 1890s (Lycée_Louis-le-Grand, Paris_-_Médiathèque_de_l’architecture_et_du_patrimoine)

Lycee Louis le Grand, center left labeled “Jesuites.” Détail of map by Gomboust, 1652

Above: Known as the College de Clermont in Vincent’s time, it became known in 1682 as Louis le Grand, now the Lycee General Louis le Grand – above, as it looks today.

All Vincentian Places in this Series

Red = Vincent de Paul, Blue = Frederic Ozanam, Teal = Elizabeth Seton, Yellow = Louise de Marillac

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