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Name: Maugris D'Aigremont Dates of birth and death: 713-810 Nationality: French Blood status: unknown Beauxbatons owes her existence to an idea of one wizard who sought to educate the young. The fabled magician known as Maugris D'Aigremont was only a young man when his name was first spoken amongst Frankish royalty. It was Charles Martel who summoned a rumoured enchanter to his court and asked for a display. Presenting his most prized possession, a wand, a young and mischievous Maugris merely complied to the order as he forced the king and queen to shed their clothes and dance in front of their entire court. "Veja meu bèu baston, monsenhor. M'autrejatz la dança qui veng?" (*) The young magician cried out as he mocked the curious king. From that early point in the wizard's life, he would suffer a strained relationship with the Frankish bloodline. While certainly not welcome near the king's throne, he did travel with several members of his court. One of these was Maugris' cousin, Sir Renaud de Montauban. Renaud was a knight who traversed the land and became famed for his many adventures. What many did not know at the time however, was that Maugris was with him. Maugris had taken Renaud under his study, offering magical tutorship to a man of physical principle. Legends of their exploits are still told today. Like how Maugris came into possession of the horse Bayard and passed it over to his cousin later in life. Or how stories traversed the land of the four sons of Aymond that wielded flaming blades alongside the magician. The relationship between the wizard and the Frankish kings was worsened by the fact Maugris once decided to steal from Charlemagne himself. While talented from birth, Maugris' wisdom came only later in life. It was his journeys across Europe and the Middle East that broadened his perspective. Finding many equally gifted children like himself, he realised none of them had been so lucky for tutorship as him. A burning promise that only grew over the years, Maugris set out to find his old mentor, the wise Baldaris, and sought to find a safe haven to build his school. It was Renaud's idea of settling in the Pyrenees. While disputed lands on the Spanish border, the mountains were often a road untravelled. The hot springs near le pont d'Espagne would offer them a peaceful retreat where they could build their new home. The famous first trip Maugris ever made to collect his students was in Cannes. From there he gathered a handful of apprentices and led them into the mountains for teaching. Bèubaston, named after his most prized possession and his infamous words towards the muggle king, gave its first class in 777. Maugris would make his journey every year, starting from Cannes, to lead his newest apprentices to their school. Until three years prior to his death in 810, when he had got too old to travel. (* - "Behold my beautiful wand, my lord. May I have your next dance?"
......................... .......................................................... ............................................................ ............. ............................................................. ............ ............................................................ ............ ............................................................ ............. ............................................................ ............. ............................................................. .............. .............................................................. ............. .............................................................. ........ ......................... ............................................................. ... ........................................................... ............................................................. ... ............................................................. ....... ............................................................. ....... .............................................................. .......... ............................................................. .......... ............................................................. ..... .......................... .......................................................... ...... ........................................................... ............................................................ .... ............................................................ ........... ............................................................ ...... ............................................................ ............. ............................................................. ............ ............................................................ ............ ............................................................ ............. ............................................................ .....	Name: Eugene Monserrac Age: 137 (born 13th of April, 1883) Nationality: French Blood status: Half-blood Born on the day of misfortune, Eugene was the first of two sons from a muggleborn father and a pureblood mother. His father being a descendant of farmers, the family lived in poorer conditions at the end of the 19th century. Only once Eugene was sent off to study at the French school of magic, the boys' parents had taken the time and put in the work to embark upon several business opportunities. Every time Eugene would return home from Beauxbatons (for his brother was destined to a life without magic), he would see his family richer than he had left them. In the years after his graduation, Eugene took an interest in the magical arts. Becoming an understudy under a French wizard who had dedicated his life to creating magical portraits and enchanted sculptures, the young Eugene dived into the company of artistic minds. In this "Bohemian underworld" he met many wizards and witches by attending a multitude of social parties. Nicolas Flamel being one of them, and even Albus Dumbledore on a rare occasion. Both of whom he still calls friends, even in death. Maintaining a string of connections throughout his life, Eugene eventually got recommended across all of France. He was known as a charismatic and enjoyable man. Who took time to get to know the subjects he worked on, to understand their views on life and offer them debate as both artist and subject unwrapped their personalities. It was this skill that allowed the young painter to become known as a household name amongst the French wizarding families. Only later in life misfortune would strike, like a destined prophecy tied to his birth. He had become estranged with his only living relative, not out of dispute, but the difference between their lifestyles offered little to lasting connections. Eventually it was his squib brother that deceived him and stole away the family's fortune. Left with regret and guilt, Eugene became a broken man for years. Locking himself up in a house built by fame and reputation, he lived life in isolation. Luckily, after being persuaded to make an appearance at a friend's birthday party, he met his future wife: Jacqueline. While they obviously liked one another, she gave the man a hard time for living his life in waste. Together they re-established themselves in the French wizarding community. Eugene even took on a teaching role at Beauxbatons Academy. Having now dedicated almost a century of his life to the school, he is known to be the longest serving professor at the French wizarding academy. He has taken up the mantle of Headmaster for a good 20 years now, ever since Madame Maxime stepped down from the position.
	Renaud de Monbautan, Nicolas Flamel, Malecrit, Cosme Acajor, Vincent Duc de Trefle-Picques, Luc Millefeuille, Madame Bonhabille, Pierre Bonaccord, Olympe Maxime, Fleur Delacour,

The highly complicated history of the French school of magic has been the subject of speculation for over 700 years. Its earliest known public entry to the outside world was by its participation in the first ever organised Triwizard Tournament of 1294. It is known to be one of Europe's three greatest schools where magic is taught in safety. Accepting students from several neighbouring countries, it can be said the school's population would rank among the highest of Europe as well.

The origins of l'Académie de Magie Beauxbâtons have a far more humble beginning however. Somewhere mid-8th century, in a time when today's France was divided in both language and nation, a man was born that went by the name of Maugris D'Aigremont. This magician was fabled for tricking both Charles Martel and king Charlemagne himself. After a long lifetime of adventures, Maugris built a small school for magically gifted children he would meet in his travels. Being allowed a small homestead in the Pyrenees, under the protection of the Duchy of Gascony.

Today, the French school has expanded in both population and renown. Students across Western Europe seek to attend the millennium old teachings of Magician Maugris. While the main spoken language is now considered to be French, some smaller expanded classes are given in Spanish and several other "minor" languages. Even in the earlier years of the school's existence, the children coming from various backgrounds would speak a plethora of different languages and dialects. In fact, the school back then would still be known as "Bèubaston" coming from the old Occitan dialect Maugris spoke and the tale of his most prized possession: His beautiful wand.

Through the ages, Beauxbatons Academy has gone through many changes. At the beginning, Maugris was joined by his own former mentor Baldaris and his trusted friend and cousin Sir Renaud de Montauban. Together, their syllabus consisted of a basis in charms and transfiguration with the addition of a code of honour. Fair play and respect are two aspects that to this day are still being upheld to those that attend the academy. The number of apprentices in attendance was relatively small for years as Maugris dared not travel further north, picking Cannes as his starting point of recruitment. Far away from the Frankish king's loyal north. To this day, Beauxbatons students still honour Maugris' first journey with his students by making the travel from Cannes to the school's grounds in the Pyrenees. Although, these days they travel by carriage rather than on foot.

Over the next few centuries the school expanded into a cluster of buildings, by now housing a good 50 students. School funds secretly grew under influence of passing families among which were members of house Capet and beyond that the royal house of Louis VI who launched the rest of France in a state of fear. Influences and funds shifted many times and each Headmaster had his or her own battle to keep the school out of wars, disputes, hate crimes and sometimes bankruptcy.

By the time Beauxbatons first emerged anywhere on a wizarding map, it was now home to nearly a hundred students coming from all corners of Western Europe. Near the start of the 13th century it had begun establishing relations with the British school of magic and eventually, further down the century, agreed to participate in the world's very first Triwizard Tournament. The academy's reputation only grew and as witch prosecution slowly faded out with the coming of newer eras, it had become safer to practice magic inside the boundaries of France's secretly growing magical society.

One could argue that the peak of Beauxbatons existence was reached after extensive funding by one of their alumni. Nicolas Flamel, the alchemist responsible for the creation of the Elixir of Life was a graduate of Beauxbatons and next to granting life, the Philosopher's stone would turn any metal into gold. Using this newfound fountain of riches, Flamel decided to help out the school where he was taught most he knew. Because of this, the school was able to afford a large expansion upon their grounds. The old castle was reconstructed and went through several updates as architecture evolved age by age. To honour Flamel and his wife's kindness, a fountain was built and named after the centuries-old couple.

The Baroque and Rococo influences are still found outside and inside the Beauxbatons Château. This 17th and 18th century architectures were regarded with such popularity that to this day they have been preserved, rather than modernised. The gardens were added, specifically structured to compliment the fountain of youth that depicted the lovers through centuries. Better known as Nicolas Flamel and his wife Perenelle.

Children are accepted at the academy from the year they become 11. School starts in September, this has been decided over the years in order to conform more to muggle society and their school systems. Children will receive their invitation to the Academy in the form of an Abraxan feather. Once the feather is received, it will find the first piece of paper in its vicinity (every year the academy receives several complaints on how the feather wrote all over a father's newspaper. Or worse...) and start writing golden lettered instructions on how to apply for Beauxbatons. Students are meant to make the trip to Cannes, where they will be picked up and escorted to the palace of Beauxbatons by means of a carriage pulled by a dozen Abraxan horses. Every year a dispute is raised by the irate voices of the French Ministry of Magic regarding muggle sightings of a flying carriage. Beauxbatons is however renowned for ignoring the ministry's requests and threats of shutting these traditions down. Apart from French students, the academy accepts a multitude of children from all around western Europe. Some of these include: Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium.

The first four years at the academy are known as the collège. These initial years are meant to teach students the basics of understanding the wizarding world. Charms, Transfiguration, Potions and several other basic branches of magic are taught. The exception being that Beauxbatons approaches these fields of study with the belief that art is found in each of these. The aesthetic of magic has been brought to the same level of importance as the knowledge it gives. This has caused graduates of the academy to show a prominent grace, expression, elegance and even showmanship that would rival Maugris' form. Upon finishing these initial years through the age of 15, they will receive their brevet des collèges. At this point, students are either allowed to sign up for prospecting, leave the academy to enrol in a different school or take up a profession.

The Rite of Prospect (le Rite de la Prospection) is an event, usually in the form of a ball, where students are meant to apply for a specific branch of wizarding education that they wish to specialize in. While the academy offers to teach several of these branches it is nowhere near large enough to house every branch known to man. At this social event, professors, students and invited tutors gather in debate, conversation and dance to prospect for a student's career. When a tutor accepts a student into their teachings, the student will begin an apprenticeship outside the academy. They will still be monitored by Beauxbatons management, however. For the less ambitious students, the academy offers a set of basic branches. These following years are called the lycée.

Within the academy, Beauxbatons chose to focus on subjects like duelling, magical arts (such as painting, sculpting, dance, architecture & also acting), alchemy and a specific branch in care of magical creatures. It also offers less than a handful of scholarships in broom-racing should a student prove their skill on the grounds. The French school continues to push for class & refinement along with good sportsmanship within its teachings in these upcoming years. There are of course always those of a more brusque nature, but these students are generally looked down upon by the more traditional professors.

After the three final years of apprenticeship, students graduate with high honours if their skill is recognised by their professor. While Beauxbatons graduates find themselves landing jobs all over the spectrum, there is a unified concept of finesse and detail to anything they would put their mind to. Proving that the academy's strict vision is passed on through its students.

After considerable renovations and upgrades having been realised with aided funding from Master Flamel, the school adapted and preserved its unique facade in Baroque and Rococo elements. Now a shimmering white château resting in the Pyrenees, blending in with the snow capped peaks of the mountain range at the southern edge of France.

The main building consists of four floors, with the château facing north towards the open land. The top floor is reserved for lodging. Along the corners are smaller towers holding the dorms with the boys resting on the eastern side and the girls on the western. The third floor holds the galleries. A series of studios and halls meant for both practising and exhibiting the fine arts tutored in the lycée. It also houses the headmaster's office on the building's northern side. Its location is visible by the only balcony other than the main platform on the first floor. On the second floor students from eleven to fifteen are taught in the basic coverage of magic in a multitude of classrooms. The ballroom, guest room and one meeting room are kept on the first floor for travelling convenience, the adjacent balcony often serves as a point of arrival to many guests. Staff rooms & kitchens are found on the ground floor, as well as the main entrance to the school.

There is a hallway on the ground floor that leads deeper into the mountains. It holds a series of chambers that go down in a spiralling staircase and meet into an aula at the bottom. This is where the guild of alchemists makes their home. The guild is a club created to house and tutor the more extensive group of alchemy students within Beauxbatons.

Duelling is taught in the north-eastern tower, a small turret linked to the top of the Abraxan stables. The duelling club focuses on the art of duelling as if it were a sport. Students are disciplined in fair play and victory through skill, rather than circumvention (cheating). The turret holds a duelling hall, dorm and small barrack for duel preparations. Duelling students are rarely seen outside this tower, except for meals and events, which are held in the great hall.

The Abraxan stables, which are found in the large tower that holds the duelling turret up, house at least a dozen Abraxans as the name would suggest. The breeding of these fine animals has been another tradition the academy has held up for generations. However, only recently it has begun passing its knowledge to those students who wish to study these majestic creatures in depth. Stable hands have a small dorm adjacent to the stables, deeper into the mountain. The upper rotunda of the main tower serves as Beauxbatons very own broom-racing team. While these agile students are not unfamiliar with sports such as Quidditch, they prefer to settle their debates in a far older fashion. Using hoops placed across the grounds and a series of tunnels that lead through the mountain, the academy offers a racing scholarship for those that prove themselves on the racing track. It is not always a certainty for the Beauxbatons Quidditch team to show up during international games. This is due to the members of the team being pulled from the ranks of the racing team. But since the racing team itself is rather select, the academy does not always manage to gather enough students for a full set.

credit: Molly Sole

The gardens of Beauxbatons were a lavish affair. They were dominated by the main walkway that bisected the school’s grounds and led directly to the entrance of the castle proper. It was lined with finely cut trees on one side and a long row of hedges on the other. In front of the gates the path opened into a small square that was dominated by a statue of a winged horse inside a small pond – a Pegasus to be exact, which had garnered snickers from students for centuries, considering that it was its Abraxans the school was famous for. This one Pegasus statue was larger than life-size, made of bronze with wings bigger than a grown man. If there was a certain sentience to it as well, an odd movement of its front legs here and a roll of its eyes there, then that must have been entirely in the viewer's imagination, wouldn’t it?

The east side of the gardens was dominated by small fountains and artistic flower beds of lavender and low hedges that re-formed themselves at random times to depict motives of animals, architecture or forms the purpose of which was simply to be pleasing to the eye. Lion statues marked the far corners of this piece of the gardens, guarding a handful of daises that held benches and pavilions that the students used as meeting places in their free time. Bees gathered in the flower fields, and the fountains provided a cool place to sit on summer days.

The west side was structured differently. Man-high hedges and trees with elaborately cut canopies separated this part of the grounds into several, smaller spaces. The far back of the garden high walls overgrown with vines provides a space to sit and study, or have a gathering of friends. Further in, the hedges created almost a maze in some areas, while in others they created niches and open spaces. A few were filled with statues of marble while others opened up to ponds with colourful fish swimming in them. Hidden in a corner, protected by walls of hedges, a clever student could even find an orchard of apricot and figs. If anyone was determined enough to find the correct path that led to the centre of the maze, they would find themselves facing the fountain of youth that depicted its well known theme: the eternal lovers, Nicolas & Perenelle Flamel. Known as an epitome of love and perseverance.

Artist: Caradoc Browne, Inspiration: sadfishkid

The Beauxbatons uniform consisted of many layers. Their main element of recognition being the long woolen sky-blue (Bleu celeste) coloured coats they wore. These would be double breasted with copper buttons on the chest and cut from the waist down on the front, leaving a long tail flowing on the back and sides. However, where a normal suit or coat would only have two functional buttons, Beauxbatons has opted for three. Under these, students wore white linen shirts tucked in a pair of ecru (beige) trousers or a long pleated skirt that were held up by narrow leather suspenders. Over these they wore a waistcoat (Bleu celeste) that could be closed by three concealed hooks and added a dark teal cravat around the neck. All students wore the same type of dark brown leather shoes.

The academy also provides sports gear to all students. These contain white flannel trousers and a short sleeved shirt or jumper horizontally striped in traditional sky-blue and white. The only additional alteration to the Beauxbatons uniform would be the racing gear only a handful of students wear that belong to the broom-racing team. Their gear consists out of trimmed leather pads and a leather helmet that curves along the back of the neck. Their brooms are fitted with iron handles for the racer's feet while keeping its design true to Beauxbatons philosophies.

When students enter their lycée, they are given a patch regarding which class they were accepted in. This patch is worn on the upper arm of their coat. Students are also handed a copper pin with the same designation to wear on either their waistcoat or jumper in case the weather does not require the use of a coat. This allows for professors and visiting mentors to easily recognise the right students.

*Lore by Caradoc Browne & Elaine Pendrast.