On a tiny side street near Pont Neuf, I saw this old sign on what appears to be an empty building. It translates roughly to “General Inspection for Musical Education in Schools”. I Googled the name, but could only find one reference in 2005 to this bizarre division of French bureaucracy.
You haven’t been around long enough. These were the conservatories that existed in every arrondissement. There’s still one – I believe – in the "virage" of the rue Lepic in Montmartre, my turf. Love to meet you when I’m back in September.