Sorbonne Universite (The Sorbonne), Paris

The Sorbonne, a name synonymous with academic excellence in Paris, refers to both a historic building and the legacy of the University of Paris. One of the first institutions of higher education in Europe, it traces its origins back to the Middle Ages, when Robert de Sorbon, the chaplain and confessor to King Louis IX, established Sorbonne College in 1257. Initially intended for poor secular clergy, over the years, it has produced several famous graduates, including Italian priest and Scholastic thinker Thomas Aquinas, Italian poet Dante Alighieri, French theologian John Calvin, French philosopher and writer Simone de Beauvoir, French-Swiss film director Jean-Luc Godard, and President of France François Mitterrand, among others. The modern Sorbonne emerged in 2018 from the merger of Paris-Sorbonne University and the University of Pierre and Marie Curie.

Historically, the Sorbonne has been a center of academic excellence, maintaining a strong alignment with Catholic conservatism. The institution faced closure during the French Revolution but was revitalized by Napoleon in 1808 and remained active until 1882. The re-establishment of the University of Paris in 1896 marked a significant phase, incorporating faculties like Science, Letters, Law, Medicine, and Pharmacy.

The Sorbonne’s architectural ensemble, developed between 1883 and 1901, combines historical Neo-renaissance, Classical, and antique styles with modern elements. The university holds a prestigious reputation, highlighted by its alumni and professors who have won 33 Nobel Prizes. Notably, Marie Curie was the first woman to become a professor at the Sorbonne. Today, the university ranks among the top in the world in mathematics, earth sciences, and oceanography.

The Sorbonne campus features the historic Sorbonne building, which houses the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and the extensive Sorbonne Library with 2.5 million books. The Sorbonne Chapel was classified as a French historic monument in 1887, and the amphitheater and the entire building complex became monuments in 1975.

The Sorbonne’s role as an academic and cultural hub was highlighted during the student protests of 1968. Erupted on 2 May and concluded peacefully on 29 May, it led to significant social and political upheaval. Following the protests, the University of Paris was divided into several interdisciplinary universities, retaining the prestigious "Sorbonne" name.