Originally, the Discalced Augustinian convent, built in 1623 by the architect Massièra in La Bourgada, on the other side of the Paillon River, just opposite the Pont-Vieux (now disappeared), then transformed into the École Centrale on October 25, 1795. Becoming the Collegio Convitto Nazionale under the County of Savoy and the Lycée Impérial on June 14, 1860, a new building was constructed to expand the previous one by architect Henri Ebrard between 1909 and 1930, and inaugurated on April 11, 1931. In 1963, it became today's Lycée Masséna, in a classically inspired style. The preparatory classes for the Grandes Ecoles (CPGE), the first cycle of higher education, are located there.
