100 Best universities for History in France

Updated: March 15, 2026

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in France ranked based on their research performance in History. A graph of 6.75M citations received by 288K academic papers made by 130 universities in France was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. Pierre and Marie Curie University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#25 in Europe

#89 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 35,114
Founded: 1150

2. Claude Bernard University Lyon 1

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Villeurbanne

For History

#87 in Europe

#254 in the World

Enrollment: 38,007
Founded: 1809

3. University of Aix-Marseilles

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Marseille

For History

#100 in Europe

#285 in the World

Enrollment: 66,378
Founded: 2012

4. University of Montpellier

Occitanie | Montpellier

For History

#117 in Europe

#319 in the World

Enrollment: 49,000
Founded: 1289

5. Paris Institute of Political Studies

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#146 in Europe

#388 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Enrollment: 11,196
Founded: 1872

6. University of Bordeaux

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Bordeaux

For History

#158 in Europe

#412 in the World

Enrollment: 46,845
Founded: 1441

7. Grenoble Alpes University

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint Martin d'Heres

For History

#167 in Europe

#435 in the World

Enrollment: 53,949
Founded: 1339

8. University of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For History

#171 in Europe

#443 in the World

Enrollment: 69,000
Founded: 2018

9. University of Lorraine

Grand Est | Nancy

For History

#173 in Europe

#452 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 60,404
Founded: 2012

10. Paul Sabatier University - Toulouse III

Occitanie | Toulouse

For History

#179 in Europe

#462 in the World

Enrollment: 29,680
Founded: 1960

11. University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#181 in Europe

#464 in the World

Enrollment: 42,700
Founded: 1971

12. Normal Superior School

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#191 in Europe

#483 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Enrollment: 2,536
Founded: 1794

13. University of Picardie Jules Verne

Hauts-de-France | Amiens

For History

#215 in Europe

#540 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 27,900
Founded: 1970

14. School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#217 in Europe

#543 in the World

Enrollment: 2,613
Founded: 1947

15. Paris-Sud University

Ile-de-France | Orsay

For History

#230 in Europe

#566 in the World

Enrollment: 23,270
Founded: 2014

16. University of Burgundy

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Dijon

For History

#235 in Europe

#584 in the World

Enrollment: 29,508
Founded: 1722

17. Paris West University Nanterre La Defense

Ile-de-France | Nanterre

For History

#239 in Europe

#596 in the World

Enrollment: 31,975
Founded: 1964

18. University of Strasbourg

Grand Est | Strasbourg

For History

#270 in Europe

#670 in the World

Enrollment: 10,077
Founded: 1621

19. University of Caen Normandy

Normandy | Caen

For History

#291 in Europe

#726 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 27,465
Founded: 1432

20. Paris Diderot University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#298 in Europe

#739 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 25,523
Founded: 1970

21. Polytechnic School

Ile-de-France | Palaiseau

For History

#305 in Europe

#769 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 2,790
Founded: 1794

22. University of Clermont Auvergne

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Clermont-Ferrand

For History

#312 in Europe

#797 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 14,690
Founded: 1854

23. University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Nice

For History

#315 in Europe

#807 in the World

Enrollment: 25,327
Founded: 1965

24. New Sorbonne University - Paris III

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#318 in Europe

#813 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 15,232
Founded: 1971

25. Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University

Ile-de-France | Versailles

For History

#328 in Europe

#836 in the World

Enrollment: 13,816
Founded: 1991

26. University of Nantes

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For History

#346 in Europe

#881 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 42,000
Founded: 1460

27. Paris-Est Creteil Val-de-Marne University

Ile-de-France | Creteil

For History

#357 in Europe

#915 in the World

Enrollment: 37,313
Founded: 1970

28. Normal Superior School of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For History

#366 in Europe

#947 in the World

Enrollment: 2,297
Founded: 1987

29. University of Paris 8

Ile-de-France | Saint-Denis

For History

#374 in Europe

#971 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Enrollment: 22,023
Founded: 1968

30. University of Rouen Normandie

Normandy | Mont-Saint-Aignan

For History

#388 in Europe

#1016 in the World

Enrollment: 31,500
Founded: 1966

31. Paris Institute of Technology for Life, Food and Environmental Sciences

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#393 in Europe

#1031 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 2,300
Founded: 2007

32. University of Poitiers

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Poitiers

For History

#400 in Europe

#1053 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 27,820
Founded: 1431

33. University of Western Brittany

Brittany | Brest

For History

#410 in Europe

#1089 in the World

Enrollment: 22,303
Founded: 1461

34. University of Orleans

Centre-Val de Loire | Orleans

For History

#413 in Europe

#1096 in the World

Enrollment: 16,629
Founded: 1962

35. Paris Descartes University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#418 in Europe

#1106 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 31,690
Founded: 2019

36. TELECOM ParisTech

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#423 in Europe

#1127 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 1878

37. Francois Rabelais University

Centre-Val de Loire | Tours

For History

#437 in Europe

#1192 in the World

Enrollment: 27,388
Founded: 1969

38. Montpellier SupAgro

Occitanie | Montpellier

For History

#442 in Europe

#1205 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Founded: 2007

39. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For History

#447 in Europe

#1221 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Enrollment: 6,067
Founded: 1957

40. EHESP School of Public Health

Brittany | Rennes

For History

#450 in Europe

#1229 in the World

Enrollment: 433
Founded: 1945

41. University of Rheims Champagne-Ardenne

Grand Est | Reims

For History

#452 in Europe

#1237 in the World

Enrollment: 24,480
Founded: 1548

42. University of Angers

Pays de la Loire | Angers

For History

#459 in Europe

#1256 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 25,687
Founded: 1971

43. Paris Dauphine University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#474 in Europe

#1295 in the World

Enrollment: 11,281
Founded: 1968

44. National Graduate School of Engineering, Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#480 in Europe

#1319 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Enrollment: 1,500
Founded: 1783

45. University of Savoy Mont Blanc

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Chambery

For History

#483 in Europe

#1333 in the World

Enrollment: 14,498
Founded: 1979

46. Paul Valery University, Montpellier 3

Occitanie | Montpellier

For History

#494 in Europe

#1376 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 21,997
Founded: 1970

47. National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For History

#496 in Europe

#1390 in the World

Enrollment: 4,148
Founded: 1969

48. National School of Bridges and Roads

Ile-de-France | Champs sur Marne

For History

#508 in Europe

#1434 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1747

49. University of Franche-Comte

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Besancon

For History

#524 in Europe

#1493 in the World

Enrollment: 21,677
Founded: 1423

50. Grenoble Institute of Technology

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Grenoble

For History

#543 in Europe

#1558 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 7,646
Founded: 1900

51. University of La Rochelle

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | La Rochelle

For History

#548 in Europe

#1576 in the World

Enrollment: 7,832
Founded: 1993

52. University of Avignon and the Vaucluse

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Avignon

For History

#560 in Europe

#1613 in the World

Enrollment: 6,434
Founded: 1984

53. University of Rennes 2

Brittany | Rennes

For History

#562 in Europe

#1617 in the World

Enrollment: 23,365
Founded: 1969

54. University of Perpignan Via Domitia

Occitanie | Perpignan

For History

#565 in Europe

#1625 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 8,238
Founded: 1970

55. University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Pau

For History

#569 in Europe

#1637 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 12,629
Founded: 1970

56. University of Limoges

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Limoges

For History

#576 in Europe

#1665 in the World

Enrollment: 17,658
Founded: 1968

57. Normal Superior School of Paris-Saclay

Ile-de-France | Cachan

For History

#578 in Europe

#1673 in the World

Enrollment: 1,382
Founded: 1912

58. ESSEC Business School Paris

Ile-de-France | Cergy-Pontoise

For History

#587 in Europe

#1713 in the World

Founded: 1907

59. University of Toulon

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | La Garde

For History

#594 in Europe

#1753 in the World

Enrollment: 11,014
Founded: 1979

60. University of Technology of Compiegne

Hauts-de-France | Compiegne

For History

#605 in Europe

#1826 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 4,367
Founded: 1972

61. Agrocampus Ouest

Brittany | Rennes

For History

#609 in Europe

#1843 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 2008

62. Artois University

Hauts-de-France | Arras

For History

#610 in Europe

#1847 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 12,051
Founded: 1992

63. Catholic University of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For History

#612 in Europe

#1850 in the World

Enrollment: 12,000
Founded: 1875

64. National Advanced School of Engineering

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#628 in Europe

#1937 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Enrollment: 6,000
Founded: 1780

65. HEC School of Management

Ile-de-France | Jouy-en-Josas

For History

#636 in Europe

#1972 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 5,453
Founded: 1881

66. Upper Alsace University

Grand Est | Mulhouse

For History

#647 in Europe

#2013 in the World

Enrollment: 9,921
Founded: 1975

67. Jean Monnet University

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint-Etienne

For History

#651 in Europe

#2034 in the World

Enrollment: 17,195
Founded: 1970

68. Jean Moulin University Lyon 3

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For History

#665 in Europe

#2115 in the World

Enrollment: 26,754
Founded: 1809

69. Eurecom

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Biot Sophia-Antipolis

For History

#675 in Europe

#2170 in the World

Founded: 1991

70. Central School of Nantes

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For History

#690 in Europe

#2214 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Enrollment: 2,287
Founded: 1919

71. University of Southern Brittany

Brittany | Lorient

For History

#693 in Europe

#2228 in the World

Enrollment: 9,477
Male:Female: 53:47
Founded: 1995

72. EMLYON Business School

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For History

#695 in Europe

#2238 in the World

Enrollment: 9,000
Founded: 1872

73. Pantheon-Assas Paris II University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#702 in Europe

#2313 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 19,018
Founded: 1970

74. University of the French West Indies

Guadeloupe | Pointe-a-Pitre

For History

#709 in Europe

#2344 in the World

Enrollment: 11,593
Founded: 1850

75. University of Corsica Pascal Paoli

Corsica | Corte

For History

#712 in Europe

#2365 in the World

Enrollment: 4,183
Founded: 1981

76. University of the Littoral Opal Coast

Hauts-de-France | Dunkirk

For History

#716 in Europe

#2374 in the World

Enrollment: 10,381
Founded: 1991

77. Kedge Business School

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Bordeaux

For History

#721 in Europe

#2385 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 32%
Enrollment: 14,800
Founded: 2013

78. University of Evry-Val d'Essonne

Ile-de-France | Evry

For History

#737 in Europe

#2496 in the World

Enrollment: 6,458
Founded: 1991

79. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For History

#746 in Europe

#2514 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 3,077
Founded: 1963

80. CentraleSupelec

Ile-de-France | Gif-sur-Yvette

For History

#754 in Europe

#2552 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Enrollment: 4,300
Founded: 1894

81. Lille Catholic University

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For History

#756 in Europe

#2564 in the World

Enrollment: 39,424
Founded: 1875

82. Toulouse Business School

Occitanie | Toulouse

For History

#760 in Europe

#2620 in the World

Enrollment: 5,600
Founded: 1903

83. University of Le Havre

Normandy | Le Havre

For History

#763 in Europe

#2662 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 7,591
Founded: 1984

84. Polytechnic University of Hauts-de-France

Hauts-de-France | Valenciennes

For History

#770 in Europe

#2734 in the World

Enrollment: 10,994
Founded: 1964

85. SKEMA Business School

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For History

#776 in Europe

#2765 in the World

Founded: 1892

86. National Graduate School of Textile Engineering

Hauts-de-France | Roubaix

For History

#777 in Europe

#2768 in the World

Enrollment: 419
Founded: 1889

87. Central School of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For History

#778 in Europe

#2769 in the World

Enrollment: 2,272
Founded: 1872

88. EDHEC Business School

Hauts-de-France | Roubaix

For History

#780 in Europe

#2785 in the World

Founded: 1906

89. National Engineering School of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Futuroscope

For History

#781 in Europe

#2787 in the World

Enrollment: 768
Founded: 1948

90. Central School of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Ecully

For History

#796 in Europe

#2870 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Enrollment: 2,920
Founded: 1857

91. University of French Polynesia

French Polynesia | Puna'auia

For History

#809 in Europe

#2920 in the World

Enrollment: 2,944
Founded: 1987

92. Grenoble Graduate School of Business

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Grenoble

For History

#824 in Europe

#2974 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 8,000
Founded: 1984

93. Catholic University of Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#830 in Europe

#3005 in the World

Founded: 1875

94. University of Technology of Troyes

Grand Est | Troyes

For History

#831 in Europe

#3011 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 3,196
Male:Female: 77:23
Founded: 1994

95. ESCP Europe

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#839 in Europe

#3065 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Enrollment: 6,000
Founded: 1819

96. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Rennes

Brittany | Rennes

For History

#840 in Europe

#3069 in the World

Enrollment: 1,854
Founded: 1966

97. Audencia Nantes School of Management

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For History

#841 in Europe

#3084 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1900

98. National Graduate School of Chemistry, Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#847 in Europe

#3139 in the World

Enrollment: 565
Founded: 1896

99. National Graduate School of Chemistry of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Villeneuve-d'Ascq

For History

#849 in Europe

#3142 in the World

Enrollment: 363
Founded: 1894

100. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Rouen

Normandy | Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray

For History

#852 in Europe

#3153 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 2,003
Founded: 1985

The best cities to study History in France based on the number of universities and their ranks are Paris, Villeurbanne, Marseille, and Montpellier.

Liberal Arts & Social Sciences subfields in France

Broadcast Journalism5

Classics and Ancient History65

Communications and Public Relations68

Criminology and Criminal Justice23

Early Childhood Education8

Education Majors92

Forensic Science10

Gender Studies45

Human Rights Law11

Intellectual Property and Patent Law19

International Law14

International Relations and Diplomacy14

Journalism and Digital Media31

Law Enforcement10

Library and Information science80

Media Studies28

Military science11

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution22

Occupational Safety and Health15

Political Economy25

Political Science129

Public Policy / Administration31

Radio and Television broadcasting4

Special Education23

Sports / Exercise science29

Theology / Divinity / Religious studies89

Urban and Regional planning26