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La Sorbonne is across rue St-Jacques from the Collège de France at No. 47 rue des Écoles. Established in 1257, this is the seat of the venerable University of Paris. Founded by Robert de Sorbon, who was confessor to Louis IX, it was intended
to educate the poor in theology. It began with 16 lucky souls and grew to become a major international centre of theological study. The University’s rector established three printing machines in 1469, having brought them over from Mainz, thus establishing France’s first printing press. The college was suppressed during the Revolution thanks to its long-standing opposition to the traditions of 18th-century liberalism. It was re-established as a place of learning by Napoleon in 1806.
The college buildings were originally built by Cardinal Richelieu in the early 17th century, but these have all been replaced by the Renaissance style blocks we see today. The only exception to this is the Chapelle de la Sorbonne. This monument to Richelieu was designed by Lemercier and built between 1635
and 1642. The Cardinal’s coat-of-arms can be seen on the dome’s supports while his white marble tomb, carved by Girardon in 1694, lies in the chancel. The Chapelle looks out onto the Sorbonne’s main courtyard.
La Sorbonne
Opening times: 9am–5pm Mon–Fri
Closed public hols
Tel: 01. 40 46 22 11
Chapelle de la Sorbonne
Open for temporary exhibitions only
La Sorbonne
Latin Quarter
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