The Joseph Vacher Boarding School has a complex history, intertwining the fate of the school and that of the buildings that housed it. Founded in the 1820s, the school was initially intended for the secondary education of clergymen, before opening its doors to a wider public from 1906 onwards. For decades, it was a bastion of Catholic education in the Languedoc region, attracting students from prominent families.
The buildings that housed the boarding school also have a rich history. Built in the 1860s as a convent, they were partially requisitioned during the World Wars to house convalescent soldiers. Subsequently, these buildings were transformed into a boarding school and college, offering a comprehensive education and residence for the students.
However, in the late 1980s, the school closed its doors for good, leaving the buildings abandoned. Despite the damage inflicted by time and lack of maintenance, an exploration of the site still reveals the remains of classrooms, dormitories, kitchens, more modest rooms, the infirmary, toilets, as well as what remains of the chapel and the basements.
The Joseph Vacher Boarding School today bears witness to its eventful past, recalling the importance of education and daily life in a boarding school of yesteryear.
