L'Instruction Publique en France et en Italie au dix-neuvième siècle

The book opens a vivid portrait of how Napoleon reshaped Italian schooling, launching a network of girls’ lycées in cities such as Milan, Bologna, and Verona. It examines the clash between French cultural enthusiasm and local resistance, detailing the new curricula, the role of French educators, and the early success of these institutions in raising the status of women’s education. Through rich archival material, the author shows how these colleges became symbols of progress, admired by travelers and Italian patriots alike.

Turning to France, the study follows the rise of free higher education from the pre‑Revolutionary era through the Empire and Restoration. It offers a nuanced look at the ambitions of reformers, the influence of figures like Villemain at the Sorbonne, and the delicate balance between state initiative and academic independence. Together, the two parts illuminate the broader debate over public instruction and the enduring tension between governmental authority and individual liberty.