Sorbonne University
Sorbonne University is the largest educational institution in France, known far beyond the country’s borders, as well as an architectural and historical complex that attracts the attention of tourists exploring the sights of Paris. The historic buildings of the University of Paris are concentrated in the Latin Quarter of the Fifth arrondissement, on the left bank of the Seine. This is the oldest part of the city, which began to be built even by the Romans. The complex was built over several centuries, the oldest of the surviving buildings appeared about 600 years ago.
Video: Sorbonne University
Contents- History of the university
- Architectural features of the Sorbonne
- Popular routes
Attractions near the Sorbonne - Education at the Sorbonne
- Opportunities for foreigners
- Tourist information
History of the university
In the thirteenth century, a poor man from the French countryside contemplated a career as a theologian and took his name after the name of his native place – Robert of Sorbon, or Robert de Sorbon. His first steps toward his goal were so successful that he soon succeeded in opening a theological college in Paris, to which Sorbon gave his name. Although it was not the first educational institution in the city, over time other humanities faculties clustered around the college and the complex came to be collectively known as the Sorbonne.
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In the 19th century, the authorities in Paris thought that the largest university needed buildings in a unified style. Henri-Paul Neneau, an architect who followed classical traditions, prepared a design for the main palace building on the rue de l’École, functional and expressive at the same time. The facade of the majestic building is decorated with sculptures symbolizing the history of education. Archimedes and Descartes, Richelieu and Pascal were in the same company, and the figures of art and literature were not forgotten. Stylistically, the figures repeat the samples of the Renaissance.
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Popular routes
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Continuing along Rue École to the southeast and turning onto Rue de la Carme, travelers will see the miniature church of St. Ephrem, whose entrance is reminiscent of the grottoes in French regular parks. Piano concerts by young Sorbonne students are often held here. Climbing to the hill of St. Genevieve, tourists will reach the church of St. Etienne-du-Mont, a monument of the XVI century, the library of St. Genevieve, the Pantheon, where the most prominent figures of the French state are buried, and the Lyceum of Henry IV. The library, which falls under the jurisdiction of the University of Paris, was built in the Middle Ages and underwent a major reconstruction in the XIX century. Visitors to Paris are attracted by its lush interiors and paintings. You can finish the tour in the Luxembourg Gardens, 200 meters west of the Pantheon.
.Sights near Sorbonne
Education at the Sorbonne
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Today’s Sorbonne is an entire complex of institutions of higher education comprising 13 autonomous universities. Each has several faculties and institutes, with buildings scattered throughout Paris. On the grounds of the historic Sorbonne, a few steps northwest of the Panthéon, is the “Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne” where fine arts, social sciences, economics and law are studied. Adjoining the historic part to the east is the largest natural science and medical university “Paris VI Pierre and Marie Curie”, and to the south is “Paris II”, the best law school in the country.
.Opportunities for foreigners
The Sorbonne readily admits foreigners, and tuition is as free for them as it is for the French. To enter, you need to demonstrate a high level of French and prove in a letter to the administration of the institution that the future student is motivated to study. Successful foreign students are entitled to a scholarship. To live in Paris, you need to have funds for the entrance fee of several hundred euros, for the rent of a room up to 1000 euros and for food up to 500 euros per month. Among the advantages of the institution, in addition to world-class teachers, noted excellent library funds and equipped with the latest science libraries, the opportunity to intern for several months in specialized French companies.
.Information for tourists
Tourists are allowed inside the historic buildings from 9am to 5pm, with less traffic in the morning. Entrance is free, a 1.5-hour tour with a Russian-speaking guide costs about 9 euros. Tourists rarely stay in the Latin Quarter, as hotels here are not cheap, and prefer to get to the Sorbonne by metro to stations “Maubert-Mutualité”, “Cluny-La Sorbonne” or high-speed train RER from the suburbs to the station “Saint-Michel – Notre-Dame”. There are plenty of restaurants along the main tourist routes in the neighborhood, including exotic ones like Japanese Sola or Asian Sumo. The invariable McDonald’s is open near the Museum of the Middle Ages on the Boulevard Saint-Germain side.
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