On 27 June 2025, the La Salle-Passy Buzenval Institute hosted a touching and significant event: the official inauguration in Rueil-Malmaison* of Rue Jean-Baptiste de La Salle, a street recently named in honour of the Founder of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, recognised in 1950 as the universal patron saint of educators.
The ceremony brought together many members of the Lasallian educational community: students, families, teachers, alumni and staff. All expressed their deep attachment to the Lasallian heritage, founded on trust, personalised support and holistic education.
This initiative, led by the city of Rueil-Malmaison, offered powerful public recognition of the educational legacy of John Baptist de La Salle and received strong support from Mayor Patrick Ollier, members of the city council, regional and departmental representatives, and Brother Jean-René Gentric, Visitor of the District of France and French-Speaking Europe, of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.
During the ceremony, Mr. Gabriel Andrei, Director of the School, warmly thanked the Mayor with these words: “Thank you, Mr Mayor, for your enlightened decision to name this street after John Baptist de La Salle, right in front of our school. With this significant choice, you are rooting a precious treasure of Rueil-Malmaison in the city – a treasure of humanity, education and faith. We can continue to nurture and grow this common treasure together. May this street not only be a path of remembrance, but above all a path towards the future.”
In his speech, the mayor praised the significance of the choice: ‘Naming this street after Jean-Baptiste de La Salle honours his visionary commitment to education and the common good’. He also recognised the lasting contribution of La Salle-Passy Buzenval to the local community, highlighting the quality of its teaching, its openness to others and its attention to each student.
Brother Jean-René Gentric, Visitor of the District of France and French-speaking Europe, highlighted La Salle’s spiritual and pedagogical legacy, reaffirming the shared educational mission of teachers and families: “This street embodies a path of education, fraternity and service, values that are at the heart of our Lasallian charism.”
Brother Gentric’s words were echoed by the enthusiastic voice of Brother Armin Luistro, Superior General of the Brothers of the Christian Schools: “I hope that the inauguration of Rue Jean-Baptiste de La Salle in Rueil-Malmaison has galvanised the Lasallian community and will continue to inspire many others to commit themselves to the educational mission that was his legacy.”
After the unveiling of the commemorative plaque, a social reception concluded the celebration, which proved to be an authentic expression of the Lasallian spirit.
This historic moment inscribes in the public space a powerful reminder: the living legacy of John Baptist de La Salle continues to shape minds and inspire educators today.
* Rueil-Malmaison se encuentra en la región de Île-de-France, en los suburbios occidentales de París. Está a unos 12,6 kilómetros del centro de París. Su principal característica es su rico patrimonio histórico, en particular el castillo de Malmaison, que fue la residencia de Josefina de Beauharnais, la primera esposa de Napoleón Bonaparte. La ciudad también es conocida por sus amplios espacios verdes y por haber sido fuente de inspiración para artistas impresionistas como Monet y Renoir.