The main site of the school is located in the 1st arrondissement of Lyon, on the hill of La Croix-Rousse.
The school was created and directed by priests from the St Iréné society, Father Jean-Bernard Plessy being the current director.
It was then largely developed by Mr Hyvrier, who is now considered as the real creator of the school.
After World War II, the school counted 300 pupils (boys only) and 20 professors.
Nowadays, the school employs nearly 200 academic staff, with another 100 technical and administrative support posts, to serve some 2600 pupils at all levels from ages 2 to 22.