École Normale Supérieure

The École Normale Supérieure consists of several interconnected buildings along rue d'Ulm with lecture halls, research laboratories, and residential quarters for its students. The campus also includes specialized libraries and scientific facilities for different departments ranging from mathematics to literary studies.

The National Convention founded the institution in October 1794 during the Revolution to train qualified teachers for the new republican education system. During the 19th century it evolved into a center for research and later moved to its current location in Paris.

The normalien system gives students a special status among French intellectuals and many graduates move into research or teaching roles after completing their studies. The academic tradition emphasizes philosophical debates and interdisciplinary seminars where students from all departments come together regularly.

Access to the campus is restricted to enrolled students and invited visitors so prior registration is needed for guided tours or academic events. The main buildings sit centrally in the Quartier Latin and are reachable on foot from surrounding streets.

The entrance examination ranks among the most selective in France with only about 30 students admitted annually per department. Many graduates remain in academic fields after graduation and several have later held major positions in research and philosophy.

Inception: October 30, 1794

Founders: National Convention

Industry: higher education

Website: https://ens.psl.eu

GPS coordinates: 48.84194,2.34472

Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:02