Professed House

The Professed House was a Jesuit convent in Le Marais located between rue Saint-Paul, rue Saint-Antoine, and rue Charlemagne. Today the Lycée Charlemagne occupies the site, built on the foundations of the original religious complex.

Cardinal de Bourbon acquired the Hôtel de La Rochepot in 1580 from the Duchess of Montmorency and gave it to the Jesuits to establish their college. After the order dissolved, the location was converted to a royal priory in 1767.

The house was known for housing confessors to French royalty, especially Père de La Chaise who served King Louis XIV. The spaces also drew famous preachers like Bourdaloue who shared their teachings here.

The site is now a school building not open for casual visits, but the exterior walls and street facades in Le Marais show the historical layout. Visitors can explore the surrounding area and observe the street names and neighboring buildings to understand where the complex once stood.

After 1767 the location held one of the largest libraries in Paris, preserving knowledge accumulated during the Jesuit period. This collection made the place an important center of learning even after the religious community departed.

Location: Paris

GPS coordinates: 48.85417,2.36028

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:43