Collège Calvin

Collège Calvin is a secondary school in Geneva's old town with Renaissance architecture and a central courtyard. The building houses about 800 students aged 15 to 19 who complete a four-year program taught in French and designed to prepare them for university.

The institution was founded in 1559 by John Calvin and remains the oldest public secondary school in Geneva. Its establishment during the Protestant Reformation shaped education in the city for centuries to follow.

The school has honored the Protestant reformer John Calvin with its name since 1969, reflecting his importance to Geneva's past. Walking through the neighborhood, you can see how the building relates to the religious structures nearby and the role education played in the city's spiritual life.

The building is located in Geneva's historic center near the cathedral and easily reached on foot. Keep in mind this is an active school campus, so public access may be limited during regular hours.

During a recent renovation, workers carefully cleaned and reset each roof tile individually, with excess materials preserved in an on-site museum. This meticulous process reflects the commitment to maintaining the building's historical character.

Location: Geneva

Inception: 1559

Part of: list of cultural properties in Geneva / Cité-centre

Address: Rue Theodore-de-Bèze 2–4, 1204 Genève

Phone: +41223883200

Website: https://edu.ge.ch/secondaire2/calvin

GPS coordinates: 46.20083,6.15056

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:40