Every time we drive to our nearby town of Castres, we pass this beautiful building–and wonder what was goes on inside.
This week Robin & I found out!
[This is a Guest Post by Meredith–wife, Photographer, Taster-in-Chief.]
We were invited for a special tour of the historic Collège Jean Jaurès by one of the English teachers–who first bumped into Robin buying cheese at the open air market.
Jean Jaurès is one of France’s most famous politicians. He was assassinated 100 years ago in Paris for trying to prevent World War I from breaking out. A pacifist, he was also opponent of the death penalty and a supporter of the maligned Dreyfus. Many French towns honor his memory with a rue, avenue or place Jean Jaurès.
Jaurès was born in Castres and attended this school where he was reportedly a brilliant student.
(It was renamed in his honor in 1924.)
It is one of the oldest secondary schools in France, established in 1574.
These young students of English were challenged with guiding their Anglophone guests around the landmark building.
At collège, they range in age from 11 to 15.
They were enthusiastic guides!
This [below] is the former chapel and medieval tower topped with a bell, viewed from the playground.
Inside, it’s a gynasium! The young people have gym twice a week.
A poster on the gym wall promoting fair play, no racism, inclusiveness, no drug-taking.
In the inspiring ART room, versions of Jean Jaurès portraits were on display.
The students have Art class once a week (and they would like more!). We could see why.
We couldn’t miss out on an English language classroom.
Impressive!
We also stopped by lunch room.
Robin was interested to see the weekly lunch MENU posted. Looked delicious!
In the library and media center, posters discussed food, cooking and how to avoid wasting food.
The young people have their own student lounge.
In honor of English guests, the tour ended with a cup of tea…
We learned a lot on our first day in a French school!
Merci to Madame Henriette Courtade and the students at College Jean Jaurès.
Robin Ellis 
Great photos and interesting history.
As I am a teacher, this post definitely drew my attention. A happy, positive place for students to learn! What a beautiful and historic building for a school. I wish my gym had looked like that!
Thanks for the virtual tour, Meredith.
Was really impressed by this. I didn’t know anything about Jean Jaures but I had heard about the Dreyfus case -“-J’accuse” and Count Esterhaze. Nice photos of your visit to this French place of learning too!
“Eat Healfy Food” indeed.
Meredith should post more often.
Thanks, Meredith! A great post.
Wonderful pictures, and the school is very focused on these good things for the students. The building is so lovely, and the setting for the gym is possibly unique. What a nice job you would do if you two published a book describing your days.
What a nice posting. I have learned a lot about the French school and see that kids are so much alike. Thank you, Meredith.
It’s nice to be back at school. So many things are changed!
I like the way they give attention to food. At my youngest daughter’s school they had to cook like the Roman people did and clean the kitchen afterwards too! Like your photos Meredith thanks!
What a gorgeous school–and their own student lounge! Nice the see the kids taking ownership of such a beautiful place! (Love the “healfy foods” poster, too!) 😉
What was that on the menu for Tuesday–maquereaux? Macaroni?? w/mustard or something??
And hey, Joyeuses Paques!!
Plural for mackerel!
Very interesting. Thoughtful that they served tea at the end of the tour.
Thank you for sharing your interesting post, Meredith. What a lovely school — I found the idea of teaching how not to waste food to be an excellent idea.
I live in the woods and have traditionally set out birdseed for the birds in wintertime, and actually put unused parts of food outside for the animals to benefit from.
But, last year, along with many others in my region, I ended up with flying squirrels in my house — talk about a surprise! They actually ruined my brand new electric stove which had to be replaced! So, this past year, I reluctantly refrained from feeding our woodland friends and thank goodness, did not have any uninvited flying squirrel visitors. Hopefully, I can return to feeding the animals again!
Lovely photographs.
Nice story – and photos – Meredith! Very impressive school. Give us some more local stories, please. You live in a fascinating place.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading that….I agree with a previous comment…a book from Robin and Meredith about experiences such as this would make very interesting reading.
So enjoyed this -thank you Meredith – love seeing the real France!
Yes. I loved Peter Mayle’s A Year in Provence. Robin and Meredith could do something like this, sort of an informal diary. There have also been a number of good television programmes and movies too. French Fields was good too. There was a Russell Crowe movie A Good Year.
Wonderful menu! Our school systems could learn a lot from this as it is possible to eat well and still serve appetizing and interesting meals. The latest here is the war on 2% and up milk…no comprehension of different kinds of fat and their role in a balanced diet…
Therese
What a fine school. Thanks you for the pictures and allowing us to visit the school, also.