Ancienne École Polytechnique, Engineering education site in Latin Quarter, Paris, France
Description
The Ancienne École Polytechnique is a historic building on Rue Descartes in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, constructed with classical architecture. Behind it lies a ministry garden, and the facade displays a fountain from the 19th century dedicated to Saint Genevieve with decorative bronze elements.
History
The school was founded in 1794 during the French Revolution and moved to its present location in 1805 as part of Napoleon's military reforms. This transformation made it one of Europe's leading technical education institutions.
Culture
The building carries names and symbols that recall its role as a military school, with crossed cannons visible on its coat of arms throughout. These marks continue to shape the place's identity and how people recognize it today.
Practical
The ministry garden behind the building opens to visitors on weekends and offers a green escape in the busy Latin Quarter. It is worth checking opening times beforehand, as they may vary seasonally.
Did you know?
The school earned the nickname 'X' in the 19th century from the symbol of crossed cannons, which remains its identifying mark to this day. This nickname has become so deeply rooted that graduates proudly claim their affiliation to 'X'.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (5th arrondissement of Paris).
The Latin Quarter is one of the oldest parts of Paris and preserves traces from over two thousand years of history. Roman remains like the Arènes de Lutèce recall the ancient settlement of Lutetia, while medieval churches such as Saint-Étienne-du-Mont and Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre document the...
Panthéon
228 m
Saint-Étienne-du-Mont
124 m
Église Saint-Éphrem-le-Syriaque
130 m
Bibliothèque littéraire Jacques-Doucet
167 m
Square Paul-Langevin
125 m
Jardin Carré
61 m
Collège des Trente-Trois
112 m
Fontaine Sainte-Geneviève
16 m
Square de la Mutualité
206 m
Presbytère de l'église Saint-Étienne-du-Mont
107 m
Imprimerie royale de Musique
129 m
PA_03 hôtel du commerce
176 m
Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève
213 m
PA_04
174 m
Ancienne école polytechnique
104 m
Reading room of the Sainte-Geneviève Library
212 m
Scots College (Paris)
212 m
François Villon
106 m
Bibliothèque byzantine
194 m
La Convention nationale
216 m
18 rue Laplace, Paris
115 m
14 rue Saint-Victor, Paris
213 m
Enceinte of Philippe-Auguste
184 m
16 rue Saint-Étienne-du-Mont, Paris
79 m
51 rue de la Montagne-Sainte-Geneviève, Paris
99 m
Enceinte of Philippe-Auguste
198 m
Collège Fortet
156 m
Immeuble Le Couteur
219 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes