Students at Lycée Général Et Technologique Gabriel Fauré in Foix, France, are collaborating with peers in La Seu d’Urgell, Spain, to promote the candidacy of the Château de Foix for UNESCO World Heritage status, according to a bulletin released by the school on February 2, 2026.
The project, spearheaded by history-geography teacher Véronique Pascal, integrates language learning, historical research, and international exchange. Students in the “Euro” class—a program focused on European studies—have been creating educational materials centered on the château and the surrounding region.
The collaboration began with the creation of an Advent calendar, released throughout December, highlighting different aspects of the Château de Foix. Students visited the château, conducting their tour and subsequent research entirely in English, with the assistance of the château’s guides, who allowed photography for project materials.
Simultaneously, students in La Seu d’Urgell were producing similar content focused on the local cathedral, the Cathédrale Sainte-Marie d’Urgell. The exchange quickly evolved beyond purely academic function, with students adding audio and video messages to their contributions, fostering personal connections and encouraging further correspondence.
In January, students from Gabriel Fauré traveled to Andorra to meet their Spanish counterparts. Activities included team-building exercises, a guided tour of local heritage sites, and language practice, with students assisting each other in French and Spanish. The Spanish students reciprocated with a visit to Foix in early February, attending a presentation by municipal officials regarding the UNESCO application and touring the Château de Foix.
The project culminated in the creation of interactive, educational “stories” focused on the heritage of Foix. These materials, often requiring extensive historical research—such as deciphering a letter from Henri IV and contextualizing it—were translated into English for the Spanish students.
According to one student, Jules, the project has fostered a greater appreciation for the local environment. “It would be great if the château was inscribed on the UNESCO list. We see it every day without realizing how lucky we are,” he said.
Lycée Gabriel Fauré, a public institution within the Toulouse academy, offers a range of specialized programs including sections in cinema, arts, and European studies. The school achieved a score of 13.4/20 in a recent ranking of French general and technological lycées by L’Etudiant magazine. In 2023, 97% of the 269 candidates who took the baccalaureate exam passed, with 63% receiving a mention. The school can be contacted at 05 34 09 82 30 or via email at [email protected].
