Born on July 14 1944 in Glay (Doubs).
Education and professional career
- 1969-1976 : Head of research at EHESS
- 1977-1984 : Senior assistant at EHESS
- 1985-1987 : Senior Lecturer at EHESS
- 1988-1991 : Director of Studies, EHESS
- 1991-2014 : Professor at the Collège de France, Chair of the History of Modern China
- 1992-2014 : Director of Studies at EHESS