
A brief history
The history of Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne dates back to the 13th century when Robert de Sorbon, a chaplain and confessor to King Louis IX, founded the Collège de Sorbonne in 1257. This institution was established to provide education in theology and prepare students for ecclesiastical careers. The Panthéon building, originally constructed as a church dedicated to Saint Genevieve, became associated with the university and is now a symbol of Paris 1. It houses the university’s administrative offices and serves as a historic landmark. In 1970, as part of a larger reform in French higher education, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne was created through the merger of several institutions, including the historic Sorbonne, the Faculty of Law, and various other faculties. This merger aimed to bring together diverse disciplines and create a comprehensive university.