Teaching research in the making
The Collège de France is a public institution of higher education and research (établissement public à caractère scientifique culturel et professionnel) with a unique ambition and mission. Since 1530, the Collège de France has fulfilled a dual vocation: to be both a place for the most audacious research and a place for its teaching. Dedicated to fundamental research, which it develops in close partnership with the CNRS, Inserm and numerous scientific and cultural institutions, the Collège de France has this singular characteristic: it teaches "knowledge in the making in all fields of literature, science and the arts".
The professors
The Collège de France owes its creation to François I, who appointed the first royal lecturers in 1530. Their function was to teach disciplines not yet admitted to the University. Today, the former "lecteurs royaux" have become professors working alongside several hundred researchers, engineers, technicians and administrative staff.
The Collège de France is organized into chairs. They cover a vast array of disciplines: from mathematics to the study of great civilizations, physics, chemistry, biology and medicine, philosophy and literature, social sciences and economics, prehistory, archaeology and history... A professor appointed to a statutory chair at the Collège de France may hold it for the rest of his or her career. However, a small number of annual chairs, all thematic, welcome a new incumbent every year.
A forum for debate and the exchange of ideas
Numerous specialized colloquia and a multidisciplinary symposium on a major social theme are organized each year to encourage the national and international scientific community to meet and reflect.
Freedom of research
From the outset, an essential provision has maintained the creative vigor of this learned community: the chairs are not permanent. As a result, when new members retire, they are renewed in line with the latest scientific developments. New members are elected by the assembly of professors: no university degree is required of those standing for election; all that counts is the importance and originality of their work. The possibility of transforming professorships is a principle that avoids the rigidity of disciplinary grids. In this way, the Collège constantly adapts to developments in the sciences, and remains a hub of activity for the scientific community.
National and international reach
Courses are mainly held in Paris. However, each professor is free to give part of his or her teaching in major French cities and abroad. Foreign scholars are particularly welcome. Every year, over fifty of them are invited to give a series of lectures. Foreign full professors are part of the teaching staff. Numerous young doctoral and post-doctoral researchers from all over the world are also welcomed into our laboratories. The Collège de France's website has been a great success in disseminating teaching cycles, contributing to the worldwide reputation of the institution and its sciences.
The libraries
The Collège de France possesses a treasure trove of rare books and specialized libraries that are among the best in Europe. These are the working tools of the professors and researchers attached to the Collège, and are open to a wider public of specialists, attracting a growing number of foreign researchers.
Laboratories and institutes
Collège de France's specialized laboratories and institutes bring together researchers and young teams working on medium-term programs. Whether integrated, hosted or external, but always associated with other research organizations with specialized infrastructures, they work over the long term, preserving the minimum fluidity required for innovation.
Free access to knowledge
Courses are open to all, free of charge, without prior registration, subject to availability. They begin in October each year with an interdisciplinary colloquium. The course program is available at reception or on the website.
The Collège de France publishes the full text of inaugural lectures (Fayard collection), proceedings of colloquia and lecture series (Odile Jacob collection), the Lettre du Collège de France and a "yearbook" summarizing the annual teaching of each professor.
Its website, at the heart of the institution's life and its mission to disseminate knowledge, offers Internet users a teaching schedule and current events, a large number of audio and video lectures and symposia, scientific documents and access to electronic publications.