The boy's school in 1714

Before 1886, the town hall and the teacher's apartment were held in this cottage, rented by the municipality.

The second dwelling was smaller and perpendicular to the first one and separated by a garden, included a classroom and a cellar. It was covered in slate. During the visit of Bishop Claude Maur d'Aubigné on 25 September 1714, it was mentioned as a boys' school "held by a certain Cossard".

In May 1881, the mayor, Théophile Démarest, tried for the first time to convince his city council to build a new town hall-school "since the one that the municipality rents is far from adequate especially the accommodation of the teacher a room of which is very damp and unhealthy". It was of no avail: five out of nine members of the City Council disagreed (ADSM 2 OP 206/1).

In July, the primary inspector alerted the academy inspector: "I am of the opinion that the City Council should be invited to take care of this matter again, in order to take advantage of the good disposition of the State and the benefits of the School Fund for a loan to 4%, including depreciation."

In March 1882, the mayor informed the city council of the letters of the prefect and primary inspector, mentioning "the inadequacy of the school house, the dilapidation and the unsanitary housing of the teacher". The council acknowledged the need for the construction of a school house, decided its execution and authorized the Mayor to choose an architect to draw up the specifications and plans that would have to be submitted for approval of the said council (ADSM 2 OP 206/1).

In June 1882, a plot of land, closer to Ratiéville, was found, with funding secured. Construction of the new town hall-school, estimated at 22,000 Frs, began in 1885 and was received on 15 August 1886.

Sources: fonds Bizet et ADSM 2 OP 206/1