Beauxbatons Academy of Magic
Beauxbatons Academy of Magic is the main magical institute of France. It is located in the south of France, outside the city of Marseilles. It is not far from the wizarding community of Enticelles. It is unplottable and disguised so that muggles and those wizards who do not know its location will be unable to locate it. Beauxbatons offers schooling over the course of seven years, the first year being for those students who are eleven years of age. Beauxbatons is a co-educational school that accommodates both male and female students. The students are separated into years instead of houses (i.e. First year students have their own dorm, second years have their own, etc.). The Beauxbatons uniform is a set of silk robes in powder blue.
Location and History
Founding the School
Beauxbatons can trace its history back to the druids of Gaul (ancient France). Their practices were seen as magic, though only a small faction of them were actual magical practitioners. Eventually the magical community of the druids became so large that they decided to create an academy just outside of Paris. Although the druids didn't last underneath the Roman empire, magical bloodlines did. The Romans had no inclination of the academy nor the special abilities one needed to attend thanks to the defense magic placed around the academy.
The academy continued to flourish through the Dark Ages, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance. It was spared the civil war that broke out during the reign of Catherine de Medici, but the headmaster realized that being outside of Paris wasn't safe with the political turmoil brewing. However, there was no way the academy could afford the construction of another building somewhere else in France.
It somehow came to the attention of the current reigning king, Louis XIV. As if struck by some divine providence, the Sun King arranged a meeting with the headmaster of the magic academy. Then, as if the construction of the Palace of Versailles wasn't expensive enough, Louis commissioned the construction of a brand new academy in Marseilles. Rumors went around the magical community and Louis' court that he had fathered a child that had inherited magical abilities through his mother and that he wanted nothing but the best for his son in the south of France.
However, these were just rumors and there was no definite evidence of such a child existing. Whatever the motive behind it was, the Academy of Druidic Magic of France moved to its new location in Marseilles and was renamed Académie de Magie Beauxbâtons or Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. The name is translated as meaning "beautiful wands." The name and location have stuck to the present day and from the Muggle aspect, every head of state who has come into power in France is informed of its existence.
Building and Grounds
Unlike its British counterpart, Beauxbatons is not decorated with mere castle "grounds". Louis XIV drew inspiration from his own Versailles and had the academy decorated with exquisite and geometrical gardens. Walkways line Beauxbatons' outside with benches and flower displays that are the envy of other magical schools.
Grand Palace & Dormitories
The focal point of the school is the west-facing Grand Palace, which houses ten floors of classrooms, offices, sitting rooms, the dining hall, ballroom, and many other areas common to magical schools. To the north and south lie the student wings - girls to the north, boys to the south - though these only reach seven floors, one for each year. The younger students are housed in group dormitories with four students to a room and communal restrooms on each floor. By the time students reach fifth year and beyond, they are housed in more private two person rooms that share a restroom with the neighboring room, similar to "suite" dormitories in Muggle colleges. Professors are housed in either the male or female wings, with several on each floor to keep an eye on the students.
The Palace Grounds
The central part of campus is dedicated to an expansive courtyard with a long reflecting pool occupying the middle of the area. The grounds consist primarily of gardens - the main garden in front of the school extending nearly as far as the eye can see, and the East Gardens located behind the school, which also hold the greenhouses and school vegetable garden. A paved road wraps around the border of the campus just inside the fence that borders the area, and many students are suggested or required to take a walk or jog around the path daily. A stable also exists on the westernmost edges of the campus, where students are allowed to care for the horses and take them out for a ride or a carriage pull.
Academics
Students are divided into years by age, with the youngest students starting their first term at age eleven, and graduating at age seventeen or eighteen after completing seven full years of education. Required lessons start at first year, and others are optional after the third year.
Curriculum
Many classes are available at Beauxbatons, some which are mandated at most schools, and others that are exclusive to the school. Courses listed with a * are mandatory for students at some point throughout their school career.
- Arithmancy
- Astrology*
- Care of Magical Creatures
- Charms*
- Defense Against the Dark Arts*
- Divination
- Etiquette*
- Flying* (For first years)
- French History*
- History of Magic
- Muggle Studies
- Potions*
- Transfiguration*
Extracurriculars
Clubs at Beauxbatons are similar to those at most schools, with a few unique additions.
- Quidditch Club - Students skirmish amongst themselves, learn new skills, and play matches against other schools.
- Gobstones Club - Fans of the popular wizarding board game can hone their skills and enjoy a good time playing this game every wednesday afternoon, during tea.
- Dramatics Club - A student production is put on each term by the dramatics club. It is usually a classical French production in the fall and Shakespeare in the spring.
- Choral Club - This singing club meets twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays to practice their vocal talents and occasionally perform in the nearby town of Etincelles.
Student Requirements
Enrollment
Beauxbatons, similar to Hogwarts, operates on a birth record system where students are invited to attend after their names have been recorded on a special list. Students can also submit an essay, a letter of request from a parent, and a primary school record to be considered for acceptance if their name is not already on the list.
Students may enroll if they were born and/or raised for at least five years in any Francophone country - such as France, Belgium, French Canada, Switzerland, Haiti, French Africa, etc. French is the primary language of the school, although students are required to be proficient in conversational English before the beginning of their first term.
Uniform
Beauxbatons faculty and students uphold a level of sophistication and require fine silk to be utilized for their uniforms. All students are required to have both common school robes and dress robes.
Mesdames' Uniforms consist of:
- Pale blue robes (fine silk)
- Pale blue dress (fine silk)
- Pale blue heels
An optional dress chapeau, or hat, is allowed during meals and lessons.
Messieurs' Uniforms consist of:
- Pale blue robes (fine silk)
- Black dress pants
- Pale blue dress shirts (fine silk)
- Black dress shoes