Saint-Nazaire: Catholic School Principal Suspended After Allegations of Inappropriate Behavior, Investigation Opened

The principal of the Catholic high school Notre-Dame d’Espérance in Saint-Nazaire (Loire-Atlantique) was suspended on Friday, March 21, following the opening of an internal investigation led by the Nantes rectorate. He is accused of making “inappropriate gestures and comments” toward female students during a school trip to Paris.

A Report That Triggered the Investigation

The Nantes rectorate was alerted on Wednesday, March 19, by both parents and teachers, who reported the principal’s inappropriate behavior with high school sophomores. According to multiple testimonies, he had unexpectedly arrived at the hotel where the students were staying without informing teachers or parents and went into the rooms of the teenage girls.

In response to these reports, a judicial investigation was opened by the Saint-Nazaire public prosecutor to collect testimonies and determine the criminal nature of the alleged actions. The diocesan administration suspended the principal’s contract until further notice and informed the educational community and parents. A psychological support service was also set up within the school.

Inappropriate Behavior Reported for Months

Since the principal’s arrival in September, several students have reported feeling uncomfortable, particularly at the boarding school. Some have testified to repeated visits by the principal to their dormitory, “even when they were in their underwear.”

The regional office of the CGT private education union has also contacted the rectorate and diocesan administration. “We want to get to the bottom of this,” said Philippe Legrand, a union representative, who is calling on the Caen academy rectorate to investigate whether similar incidents occurred at the school where the principal worked previously.

While the investigation is ongoing, the deputy principal is now overseeing the operations of the school.