The Ecole Polytechnique

Institution of tertiary education established by the French Republic in 1794.

Where future industry leaders come from

Founded in 1794, the Ecole Polytechnique, a state supported institution of higher education and research, is the most prestigious engineering Grande Ecole in France. The Ecole trains the scientific, industrial and economic elite of the nation.

Exceptional scientists, many of whose names are now attached to fundamental laws and concepts, have walked its halls as students or professors over the last two centuries.

History

• 1794 Creation of the Ecole Polytechnique, by Carnot and Monge
• 1805 Napoleon settles the Ecole at Montagne Sainte Geneviève, downtown Paris as a military Academy and gives its motto "Pour la patrie, les sciences et la gloire" [For the Fatherland, the Sciences and the Glory].
• 1914 The Ecole's flag receives the Legion of Honor, for its contribution to the Victory
• 1970 the Ecole becomes a state supported civilian institution, under the auspice of the Minister of Defense.
• 1972 the first female enters the Ecole
• 1976 the Ecole moves to Palaiseau (15 miles off Paris)
• 1994 celebration of the bicentennial chaired by President Mitterrand
• 2000 a new cursus is set in place, passing to 4 years and reforming the curriculum.

References

Text from the English language web site of the Ecole Polytechnique (http://www.polytechnique.edu).

Images from the French language web site (http://www.polytechnique.fr). Both accessed 4 March 2004.

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