Lycée César Baggio, Secondary school and historical monument in Lille, France.
Lycée César Baggio is a technical secondary school in Lille with buildings dating from the early 20th century that combine classrooms, workshops, and laboratory spaces for hands-on training. The grounds feature varied architectural styles and earned recognition as a historical monument because the design exemplifies school construction from that period.
In August 1898 the Ministry of Commerce and Industry authorised a practical school of industry, promoted by mayor Gustave Delory and deputy mayor Charles Debierre; it opened on 2 October 1899 with 27 pupils in wood, iron and book sections. The building on rue Racine was the first school in Lille with electric lighting, fitted in August 1899. Growing numbers forced the opening of the Saint-Venant annex after World War I, and in 1961 the Collège Technique Baggio became a senior high school.
The school is named after César Baggio, who made its foundation possible; it opened in 1899 in premises on rue Racine, now the annex town hall of Wazemmes. Its first director, Victor Bertrand, taught three sections — wood, iron and book — covering twelve trades from forging to lithography and photography. The building was listed as a monument historique in 1997.
The grounds are accessible to visitors when guided tours or special events are offered. It helps to check in advance when such opportunities are available since the school remains an active educational facility.
The building was the first school in Lille fitted with electric lighting, installed in August 1899, before it opened on 2 October 1899. Its first director, Victor Bertrand, a graduate in physics and mathematics, was appointed on 1 June 1899 with a salary of 2,500 francs, against 2,000 for a teacher.
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