A New Wave of Allegations of Violence Surfaces at Notre-Dame de Garaison School
More than three decades after the last reported incidents, revelations about violence at the prestigious Notre-Dame de Garaison school are coming to light as former students share their harrowing experiences. Once regarded for its strict discipline and educational excellence, the school now faces allegations of physical abuse reminiscent of similar accusations against the Notre-Dame de Bétharram school.
Philippe, one of the former students, recounted the events leading to his departure from Notre-Dame de Garaison. After he received a brutal slap by the school's chief supervisor—resulting in a perforated eardrum—Philippe says he felt compelled to speak out. “The methods employed were akin to training animals,” he stated, referencing the systemic physical punishments inflicted by the supervisory staff. Reflecting on his experiences, he recounted, “On my first night, I was punished for talking to my neighbor. I was made to hold the supervisor’s flashlight, only to receive what felt like the kind of slap you'd see in movies.
Philippe's testimony, along with others, prompted him to establish the 'Collectif des victimes de Notre-Dame de Garaison' on February 21, 2025, aiming to bring together former students who shared similar traumatic experiences. This collective has garnered significant attention, quickly attracting several members who identified with the painful narratives. With many of them remaining silent about their traumas even to their families until now, the newfound support network symbolizes both healing and frustration over the lost years. “We’re not just conjuring lies; we all endured suffering,” Henry, another former student, emphasized during his interview with Radio France.
Founded near the famed pilgrimage site of Lourdes, Notre-Dame de Garaison has long been celebrated for its rigorous education and traditional values. Yet, buried beneath its reputation lies a darker history, as many alumni recount their own encounters with violence and intimidation. The atmosphere of fear was palpable. "Whenever we’d whisper at night, the lights would go on and we’d be called to attention like soldiers awaiting punishment," shared Henry, who recounted systemic physical abuse involving slaps by supervisors as standard practice during his time between 1984 and 1987.
Sophie, another survivor of abuse, vividly described her experience at the hands of the chief supervisor. At just thirteen, she endured physical assault after being reprimanded for reading during study hours. “The moment he opened the door, he started hitting me; there were punches and kicks. I was slammed against the walls. It was surreal,” she articulated. The trauma from those incidents not only haunted her youth but also disrupted her adult life, as she tried to make sense of such brutality, compounded by the silence and indifference of many around her.
These testimonies reflect a growing movement among former students to break their silence about the violence they suffered. The Facebook group created by Philippe, labeling itself the 'Collectif des victimes', serves not only as a platform for sharing narratives but also as potential investigative leads for legal action, albeit most of the allegations fall under statutes of limitations.
Public sentiment is shifting as the harsh realities of these experiences come to light, influenced heavily by recent events at the Bétharram institution. Students from Garaison expressed solidarity with those voicing concerns from Bétharram. Many have responded to their stories by confronting painful memories from their own education, leading to newfound courage to address issues of abuse previously left unspoken.
Marc recalled how the supervisors, sometimes older students themselves, wielded their authority violently. “The habits were well-known,” he said, “and it wasn’t just slaps. There were physical beatings resulting in injuries I thought would never heal.” The fear and vulnerability felt by students back then were evident, as they faced violence from those who were meant to guide them.
Despite the allegations, the current administration has refrained from commenting on the accusations. Local authorities reported no recent complaints about the school, which has sparked concerns about the lack of accountability and transparency surrounding these serious claims of abuse. There has been no significant legal action against Notre-Dame de Garaison since 2009 when a former supervisor was sentenced to 12 years for sexual assaults and violence against minors.
Historically, these types of incidents faced little public scrutiny, largely due to the stigmatization of such accusations and the cultural silence surrounding them. “We learned to stay silent through violence” reflects Sophie on the pervasive culture of silence embraced by the institution.
Yet, as the collective continues to grow and share their stories, it highlights the challenging dialogue surrounding the normalization of disciplinary violence within educational institutions, particularly religious ones. Even as advocates for change strive for justice for past abuses, some continuing to defend the institution claim it was simply a different time, though these assertions have sparked outrage among former students.
“There’s nothing educational about belting children. Those experiences destroyed our childhoods,” Henry concluded. The resurfacing of these narratives not only emphasizes the haunting memories but also encourages other survivors to come forward, reshaping the dialogue on accountability for institutional abuses—a significant step toward healing and justice.
With new voices rising, the hope remains for those once silenced, as they continue to illuminate the truth behind the closed doors of Notre-Dame de Garaison, determined to make their experiences heard.