Collège de France (Paris)

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The Collège de France is the most prestigious higher education and research establishment in France. It is located in Paris, in the 5th arrondissement, or Latin Quarter, across the street from the historical campus of La Sorbonne at the intersection of Rue Saint-Jacques and Rue des Écoles.

It was established in 1530 by King Francis I of France, as an imitation of the Collegium Trilingue in Louvain, at the urging of Guillaume Budé. Of humanist inspiration, this school was established as an alternative to the Sorbonne to promote such disciplines as Hebrew language, Ancient Greek and Mathematics. Initially called Collège Royal, and later Collège des Trois Langues, Collège National, Collège Impérial, it was named Collège de France in 1870.