French Academy of Sciences, National academy near Bibliothèque Nationale, France
The French Academy of Sciences, the Académie des sciences, is one of the five academies of the Institut de France, housed in the building on the Quai de Conti whose light beige stone facade carries a triangular pediment with a round clock and the carved words "ACADEMIE DES SCIENCES". Above it rises a dark ribbed oval dome capped by a lantern and thin spire, and wings with rows of tall windows and a roofline balustrade flank the central block. The building stands at the far end of the wooden Pont des Arts.
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 name Académie des sciences was adopted when the royal academy was reorganized; its motto is Invenit et perficit. The institution is one of the five academies of the Institut de France, and its members are elected for life, with half of the vacancies reserved for candidates under 55.
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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