Founded in: 1160-1250 AD
Location: School of Medicine building, 6th arrondissement, at Boulevard Saint-Germain
The University of Paris, often known as La Sorbonne, started forming around 1160 on the Notre-Dame cathedral school site and gained papal recognition by the 1250s. As one of the Oldest Universities in the World, it became the most respected centre for theology and philosophy in medieval Europe. After the French Revolution, it transformed into several modern universities but still carries the legacy and influence of the original medieval institution.
Notable Alumni from the University of Paris
Here are some of its most famous former students:
- St. Thomas Aquinas – Scholastic theologian and philosopher whose work shaped Catholic theology.
- Voltaire – Leading Enlightenment writer and philosopher known for defending civil liberties.
- Honoré de Balzac – A novelist whose detailed realism influenced European literature.
Nobel Laureates from the University of Paris
Alumni from La Sorbonne and its successor institutions have won many Nobel Prizes:
- Marie Curie – Won the Nobel Prize in Physics (1903) and Chemistry (1911) for her work on radioactivity.
- Jean-Paul Sartre – Attended but did not accept the Nobel Prize in Literature (1964).
- Henri Bergson – Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature (1927) for his philosophical writings.
Top Courses to Pursue at the University of Paris
The University of Paris excels in many fields. Popular programs include:
- Theology & Philosophy
- Literature & Humanities
- Law & Political Science
- Medicine & Health Sciences
- Sciences & Mathematics
- Engineering & Computer Science
Interesting Facts About the University of Paris
Here are some remarkable facts:
It started as a cathedral school before forming a full university in the 13th century.
More than 70 Nobel laureates have studied or taught here or in its overseas successors.
It educated 11 French presidents, two popes, and countless international leaders.
The university spurred the birth of modern faculties—arts, theology, law, medicine—setting the pattern for European higher education.