In the 7th arrondissement of Paris, a stone’s throw from Les Invalides, lies a place steeped in history. The Institut National des Jeunes Aveugles was founded in 1785. Theworld’ s first school for the blind, INJA welcomes 170 blind and partially-sighted children and teenagers every year. A state-run institution, its students include Louis Braille, inventor of the universal writing system still in widespread use today.
Without the sense of sight, INJA students have always placed hearing at the heart of their learning. And the diversity of their programs and events is living proof of this.
A little history of INJA
When Valentin Haüy founded the school in 1785, INJA was established on rue Coquillière, with just a dozen students. It wasn’t until 1844 that the institution moved to the specially designed building at 56 Boulevard des Invalides. Even today, INJA continues its activities there, with (many) more students and programs – not only academic, but also musical.
The proof is in the jazz orchestra, choir, instrument classes and organ room, where the first organ class for the visually impaired was held. A symbol of educational innovation and inclusion, the site combines neoclassical architecture with the historic Helen Keller Garden, laid out as a sensory garden on the side of the building.
What can you do there?
INJA is not just an educational institute. From tours of its historic building during Heritage Days to its own cultural events and Candlelight concerts in itswheelchair-accessible chapel, it’s also a vibrant cultural venue. These candlelit tributes, featuring both classical and contemporary music, bear witness to the indissoluble link between the Institut and music.
A few curiosities about INJA
The first school for the blind
The INJA was founded in 1785 by Valentin Haüy, who proposed the first school and learning model adapted for the visually impaired. During his career, he lived in Germany and Russia, where he also founded a national institute for young blind people in St. Petersburg and Berlin. Today, many institutions around the world use him as a model!
A building specially designed for the institute
The institute had to wait until 1843 for its own building dedicated to its teaching mission. The building, erected by decision of the State, was located at 56 boulevard des Invalides, and the funds to purchase the land were obtained thanks to Alphonse de Lamartine’s intervention in the Chamber of Deputies. The official inauguration took place on February 22, 1844, marking the start of a new era for the INJA.
Louis Braille
Louis Braille was a student and later teacher at the institute. He played an important role in the institute’s history, and was the originator of the alphabetic code based on two vertical rows of only 3 raised dots: Braille. This raised alphabet was adopted worldwide and recognized as a writing system.
Can I visit the building outside the Heritage Days?
Individual visits are only permitted during the Journées du Patrimoine (mid-September). However, group visits are possible on request, by contacting INJA.
Is INJA accessible to visitors with reduced mobility?
The main building is accessible (elevators and ramps), while the chapel has limited PRM access – please check with us for each event.
How do I get there?
Located in the heart of the 7th arrondissement –56 Boulevard des Invalides–, INJA is easily accessible by public transport: bus (lines 28, 39, 70, 82, 89 or 92) and metro from Duroc station (lines 10 and 13), or Ségur station (line 10) less than five minutes’ walk away.
Nearby attractions
Halfway between the Jardin du Luxembourg and the Champ de Mars, home to the Eiffel Tower, the location of the Institut National des Jeunes Aevugles offers a multitude of possibilities for strolling in the surrounding area. The Rodin Museum is an 8-minute walk away, the Musée d’Orsay 14 minutes, and the Odéon-Théâtre de l’Europe – one of the capital’s leading venues for Candlelight concerts – less than half an hour. An ideal location for exploring the heart of Paris.