Collège des Bernardins, Medieval college building in Latin Quarter, Paris, France
The Collège des Bernardins is a school building with Gothic architecture in Paris's Latin Quarter. Its main hall stretches 70 meters long and features massive stone pillars supporting vaulted ceilings beneath tall windows that flood the space with natural light.
The institution was founded in 1245 by Stephen of Lexington as a Cistercian college for monks. The French Revolution of 1790 led to state confiscation and marked a turning point in its purpose and use.
The building now serves as a center for theological study and hosts art exhibitions exploring spiritual and philosophical themes. Visitors can experience how the space continues to attract people interested in education and cultural dialogue.
The building is located on Rue de Poissy and remains accessible throughout most of the week. The interior layout is straightforward to navigate, with open access to the main hall and gardens available to all visitors.
From 1845 until the early 20th century, the medieval building functioned as a fire station, requiring substantial modifications to its medieval structure. This unexpected transformation left marks on the architecture that visitors can still notice today.
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