The name of the company refers to the name given to the Champs-lysées in 1710: "the Grand-Cours", because it spanned the old Grands Égouts of Paris, until 1777 when it was decided to cover them.

It was a free (private) educational establishment, located at 62 rue de Ponthieu (the company's head office).

The school also had a boarding and day school for young girls at Penn-Avel in Le Croisic.

This title was issued to Madame la Comtesse de la Tour du Pin, born Brigitte O'Connor (1880-1948), wife of François de La Tour du Pin Chambly de La Charce (1878-1914).