Located in the heart of the forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, the maison d’éducation des Loges is one of the boarding schools for girls founded by Napoleon. 

History 

c. 1320

A chapel dedicated to Saint Fiacre was built in the forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. 

1626

The Discalced Augustinians mendicant order, derived from the rule of Saint Augustine, was installed on the site of the chapel. 

1644

Anne of Austria declared herself founder of the convent and of the new church built under the title of Our Lady of Graces. 

1660

In this decade, the convent expanded rapidly and was extended with a large dormitory, a cloister and a sizable pavilion. 

1786

The Augustinians established a factory of silk and velvet cloths. 

1794

During the Revolution, the Committee of Public Safety (Comité de salut public) set up a cannon gunpowder factory on the premises. 

1810

Napoleon signed the decree ordering the establishment of "six houses designed to take in and raise orphan girls whose fathers died as Officers and Knights of the Legion of Honor." 

1811

The first orphans settled into part of the refurbished buildings. 

1812

On April 11, the establishment was visited by Emperor Napoleon I, who ordered improvements to the buildings.

1855

Emperor Napoleon III undertook a major restructuring and construction program, designed to unify the various buildings and make them more functional and more harmonious. 

1960

Since the Château d’Ecouen closed (turned into the national Renaissance Museum) and more pupils arrived at the Loges, extensions were in order. The site was reconstructed by architects Barthe and Robin, and seven main buildings were built (classrooms, housing, refectory). 

2010

On the ground floor of the new boarding school, a dormitory was built as designed by architect Benedict Lopez. 

2012

A 1.000 sq. m. extension designed by architect Sébastien Loiseau, bringing together all the classes in one place, was inaugurated by the Grand Chancellor, Army General Georgelin. 

Architecture 

Set in the magnificent eight-hectare park, the historic and contemporary buildings are organized along an orthogonal grid, which served as a common thread during the various development and expansion phases. 

Visit the maison d'education des Loges 

The maison d'éducation des Loges is open to the public for the European Heritage Days (3rd week-end of september).