French language Q&A Forum

In “En 1253, le chapelain Robert de Sorbon fonde un collège pour élèves nécessiteux” I was surprised that it was not “les élèves” or “des élèves”. Is there a particular reason why this is the case?

I would like to particularly congratulate the person who gave us this piece.  Not only was it enlightening for me, but it was also a perfect B2 listening exercise. Thank you.  Now to my question.  I understand the admonition about the use of present tense to relate a historical story.  How does the use of the future perfect in the first paragraph relate to this?  Were there other choices for this tense?

Can you explain the difference?  When I looked up branch (of a river), my dictionary gave branchement.  This was not accepted in the context of this story. 

Can one also say ' je m'en servirai d'une'?

It wasn't offered as an option.

Thanks

Chers amis, 

Please clarify my doubt.  Mon école est à côté des appartements    or    Mon école est à côté d'appartements

Which one is right?   does de gets contracted to des or changes to d' as appartements starts with a vowel. 

Thanks in advance.