French Academy of Sciences, National academy near Bibliothèque Nationale, France
The French Academy of Sciences is a national academy for the natural sciences in Paris, housed in the west wing of the Institut de France along the Seine. The institution shares the historic building with four other learned societies under the dome at Quai de Conti.
Jean-Baptiste Colbert founded the academy in 1666 on behalf of Louis XIV to bring together scholars from across Europe and advance scientific research. Members initially met twice weekly in the royal library before the institution moved to the Institut de France in 1805.
The institution goes by the name Académie des sciences and occupies a wing of the Institut de France on the Left Bank. Members wear a green cape with gold embroidery during formal ceremonies, a custom that dates back to the reign of the Sun King.
Access to the building is open to the public only on specific days during guided tours or events. The nearest metro station Pont Neuf brings visitors directly to the riverbank opposite Île de la Cité.
The institution publishes weekly reports on new scientific findings in Comptes Rendus, one of the oldest continuous scientific journals in the world. The first issue appeared in 1835 and since then all research results presented to members have been documented.
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