Saint-Omer, ville d'art et d'histoire...
The Ribot College
In 1802, a communal college is installed in the buildings of the old college of the Walloon Jesuits who date from XVIe, XVIIe and XVIIIe centuries. This college, aggregate at the University, takes the title of imperial College in 1808. Become again municipal College in 1815, it obtains the title of royal College only in 1845. On this date, one builds at the bottom of the main courtyard, a building on three levels with two wings in return. The title of College is allotted to the college in 1848. In 1866, enlargings being revealed necessary, one raises along the street Gambetta a vast building of traditional style. Above a first level with embossings draw up three bored stages each of fifteen large windows with stone framing. At the ends of this long building, two fore-parts in light projection joining together three spans concentrate the very sober decoration of this rather austere unit: gate of input with consoles, windows with pediments, large summit pediment. In 1932, in front of the progression of manpower, the college is seen allotting the building of the Arsenal built by the Army in 1847. In 1945, it increases by the annexation of the old college of the English Jesuits become military hospital Coste of the name of a doctor of the armies (1741-1819). In 1977, starts work of restoration and reorganization of the college. During the years 1978-1979, the old seminar and the barracks Dorsenne, name of a General of Empire (1776-1812), are arranged and transformed into boarding school. The buildings of 1845 and 1847 are destroyed with the building work of the new building, started in April 1981, are completed for the re-entry of September 1983. This one ensures the connection with the other parts of the college and spans the street Gambetta transformed into mall. During nearly one century, 1848 to 1946, the college of Saint-Omer was the only college of the department of Pas-de-Calais. Since 1924, it bears the name of Alexandre Ribot (1842-1923), former pupil who was several times Minister for Finance or Foreign Affairs and president of the Council (1895 and 1917). With the re-entry of September 1993, the college counted 2092 pupils.