VN271 The Montagne Sainte Geneviève and the History of the Universities and Colleges of Paris

During the 12th century, the teachers of the School of Notre Dame established Paris as one of the leading centers of scholarship in Europe.  Throughout the century, the intellectual center moved from Notre Dame to the Left Bank, where the monasteries began to establish their own schools.

The neighborhood around the Montagne Sainte-Geneviève Monastery became crowded with students who frequently came into conflict with their neighbors and the authorities.  Gradually the university became organized as a corporation and colleges were founded to host the numerous students.  Between the 13th and 15th centuries, Paris became one of the leading places for teaching in Western Europe.

During our walking tour, we will discover the remains of the Sainte Geneviève Monastery, the Colleges of Sainte Barbe, de Navarre, des Irlandais and des Ecossais, and the prestigious Universities of the Latin Quarter.

About the instructor: Holding a PhD in British and American Studies from the Sorbonne, Catherine Estivalezes has been involved for many years in a foundation for promoting contemporary art, before getting back to her Art History studies.