Welcome to the legendary Lycée Henri-IV, a name that resonates with excellence in education, not just in Paris, but across all of France.

Ranked #2 in Paris and #2 nationwide among public high schools, with a 100% success rate at the baccalauréat in 2019, this school is a true academic powerhouse. And when we talk about competition, we’re right behind the Jeannine Manuel School, a private, bilingual school in the 15th arrondissement.

But Henri-IV, or “H4” as it’s affectionately known, is more than just a top school, it’s a living monument to French history and intellect.

The building itself is nestled in the ancient Abbey of Sainte-Geneviève, a place with over 1,500 years of history! If you look closely, you can still see the Clovis Tower, the last standing remnant of the original abbey.

But what really makes this school legendary? Its alumni.

Here’s just a few names from its honor roll of brilliance:

• Alfred de Musset, the romantic poet,

• Jean-Paul Sartre, the philosopher who shaped modern French thought,

• Léon Blum, post-WWII political leader,

• Simone Veil, champion of women’s rights,

• Baron Haussmann, the man behind the iconic Parisian architecture — you know, those elegant five-story buildings with balconies on the 2nd and 5th floors? That’s him.

• Guy de Maupassant, the master of the short story,

• Jacques Brel, the legendary singer-songwriter,

• And yes, even President Emmanuel Macron walked these halls.

Not bad for a high school, right?