Fondation Eugène-Napoléon

The Fondation Eugène-Napoléon is a school building with Neoclassical design in Paris, featuring symmetrical proportions and columns with decorative details on its main facade. The complex includes kindergarten, primary school, secondary education facilities, and residential spaces for students.

The foundation was created in 1856 by Empress Eugénie and officially recognized as a public institution in 1858, arising from her marriage to Napoleon III. Architect Jacques Ignace Hittorff designed the structure following the classical principles of that era.

The foundation continues to serve as a working school and student residence, keeping its original educational purpose alive within the walls. Visitors can sense how the building remains actively used by younger generations, much as it was intended from its creation.

The building sits on Faubourg Saint Antoine in the 12th arrondissement and connects easily to multiple metro stations nearby. Its location makes visiting straightforward without needing a car.

The building's design drew inspiration from a piece of jewelry that Paris presented to the Empress on the occasion of her wedding to Napoleon III. This unusual source of architectural inspiration shows how personal events shaped urban development.