What were the lycees?

Lycees were secondary schools in France established during the early 19th century, particularly under the educational reforms of Napoleon Bonaparte. They were designed to provide a standardized education focused on academic subjects, including sciences, humanities, and languages, to prepare students for higher education and public service. Lycees played a significant role in promoting a meritocratic system and aimed to cultivate a sense of national identity among students. Over time, they evolved into the modern French secondary education system.