A Brief History of Lycée Claudel

Putting Things in Context

Access to French-language education in Ontario has been an uphill battle since the beginning of the twentieth century. 

In 1912, Ontario Prime Minister Sir James P. Whitney passed Regulation 17, which prohibited French-language teaching in schools. Although Regulation 17 was heavily contested, nothing truly changed until the 1960s. The regulation was overturned, but so-called “French” schools in Ottawa were still essentially bilingual. To circumvent this issue, the Franco-Ontarian elite and French-speaking diplomats posted to Ottawa often opted to send their children to Montreal to ensure they would receive a quality French education. It is in this context that the Cours Claudel was created.

The Foundation of Lycée Claudel

With the help of the French Embassy and a group of committed collaborators, Dr. Gaston Sauvé decided to open a school that would follow the French public educational system. This institution was not a French high school, but rather a Canadian institution licensed in Ontario to offer the French Ministry of National Education’s program, albeit with a few changes.

• 1962: In September, the Cours Claudel educational institution is opened in downtown Ottawa.
• 1972: After several location changes, the school is permanently moved to 1635 Riverside Drive.
• 1974: The first ever graduate class leaves the school. The institution is henceforth known by its current name: Ottawa’s Lycée Claudel.
• Today: Lycée Claudel now welcomes students from many different national backgrounds and walks of life, and continues to offer education of the highest quality in modern facilities.