Petite France in Athens, on the slopes of Lycabettus, in the area of ​​Naples, is a square formed by the streets of Didoto, Prassa, Octavia Merlier and Sina. There, in an authentic Greco-French environment, are the buildings of the French School of Athens and the French Institute. It is a collection of important buildings by prominent French and Greek architects, a collection of architectural vocabulary from the 19th and 20th centuries.

But more importantly, the oldest presence of the French School in the history of modern Athens, already in 1846, during the reign of Otto, when the newly formed kingdom attracted inquisitive and interested archaeologists, scientists and intellectuals. in getting to know a new country and organizing networks of communication and cooperation.

Diplomatic history

The presence of foreign archaeological schools in Athens is a story of mutually beneficial transnational diplomatic cooperation. This is a fascinating aspect of European history. The French school, located in its famous headquarters on Rue Didotou, has deep roots in Athenian society, and this very connection with the city of Athens is described in detail in a book-album published in French (originally) by the French School of Athens. by Lucille Arnow (specializing in Modern Greek and Comparative Literature) and Alexandre Farnow, former Director of the School (2011-2019) and Professor of Archeology and History of Greek Art at the Sorbonne. This edition is richly illustrated, well structured, contains a wealth of information and an extensive bibliography. In fact, this is a new addition to the history of Athens and Greco-French relations.

“The book shows that the French school in Athens is first and foremost an institution dedicated to the study of Hellenism in all its forms.”

French Athenians

“The book tells about the relationship between the French school founded in 1846 and the city of Athens: its members, who are aptly called “Athenians” in French, participated in the history of the inhabitants of the city. Thus, this is a book about a common history that has not yet been explored,” says Alexander Farnow. “We can really say that Athens is the first school for representatives of the French school!” The French “Athenians” “discover Greece. The city offers them a context for their daily lives: theaters, cinemas, cafes, literary salons, conferences, dances or carnivals, etc. In Athens, they also hear the new Greek language for the first time, and here they learn it.” This particular topic becomes the subject of a double story. School and city. City and School, in constant fermentation of people in interaction. The book refers to the first years of the new Athens and shows us the path of the School along with the development of the capital. The school was originally located on Akademia Street in the house of Georgios Gennadiou (unfortunately this historic building was demolished in 1980), and later in the Dimitriou mansion built by Theophilos Hansen, and later in the Hotel Great Britain. From the 1870s, the French School of Athens was founded on the slopes of Lycabettus, the first building of which was designed by the French architect Eugenios Pia, an active member of Athenian society. Athenian France is gradually emerging there.

Study of Hellenism

“The book shows that the French School of Athens, sometimes erroneously called the French School of Archaeology, is primarily an institution devoted to the study of Hellenism in all its forms,” says Alexander Farnow. And indeed! Even the area of ​​Naples, in which the French school is located, becomes the object of study in this book. Naples, the historic district of Athens, is completely X-rayed. It is a way to understand the coordinate system, but also the need to express gratitude for the constant and dual connection with the city. After all, Athens itself, with its ancient monuments, along with modern life, have become the object of constant study by representatives of the French school. “They conduct excavations, publish collections of antiquities kept in the Archaeological Society, the National Museum and in private collections,” says Alexander Farnow. Even when they travel outside of Athens, to other parts of Greece, they have an expression of curiosity. They are constantly exploring, establishing friendships, continuing the tradition. The French School of Athens is part of the Greek capital.