100 Best universities for History in France

Updated: February 29, 2024

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in France ranked based on their research performance in History. A graph of 4.72M citations received by 232K academic papers made by 128 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

#19 in Europe

#81 in the World

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

2. Claude Bernard University Lyon 1

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Villeurbanne

For History

#83 in Europe

#235 in the World

Enrollment: 38,007
Founded: 1809

3. University of Montpellier

Occitanie | Montpellier

For History

#104 in Europe

#283 in the World

Enrollment: 46,578
Founded: 1289

4. University of Aix-Marseilles

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Marseille

For History

#111 in Europe

#307 in the World

Enrollment: 78,000
Founded: 2012

5. University of Bordeaux

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Bordeaux

For History

#145 in Europe

#383 in the World

Enrollment: 54,000
Founded: 1441

6. Grenoble Alpes University

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint Martin d'Heres

For History

#162 in Europe

#424 in the World

Enrollment: 53,949
Founded: 1339

7. Paul Sabatier University - Toulouse III

Occitanie | Toulouse

For History

#166 in Europe

#430 in the World

Enrollment: 29,680
Founded: 1960

8. University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#185 in Europe

#479 in the World

Enrollment: 42,700
Founded: 1971

9. Paris-Sud University

Ile-de-France | Orsay

For History

#191 in Europe

#490 in the World

Enrollment: 31,400
Founded: 2014

10. University of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For History

#212 in Europe

#533 in the World

Enrollment: 80,000
Founded: 2018

11. Paris Institute of Political Studies

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#221 in Europe

#553 in the World

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

12. University of Strasbourg

Grand Est | Strasbourg

For History

#240 in Europe

#604 in the World

Enrollment: 10,077
Founded: 1621

13. School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#252 in Europe

#631 in the World

Enrollment: 2,613
Founded: 1947

14. University of Lorraine

Grand Est | Nancy

For History

#273 in Europe

#683 in the World

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

15. Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University

Ile-de-France | Versailles

For History

#281 in Europe

#699 in the World

Enrollment: 13,816
Founded: 1991

16. University of Picardie Jules Verne

Hauts-de-France | Amiens

For History

#287 in Europe

#718 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 27,490
Founded: 1970

17. Polytechnic School

Ile-de-France | Palaiseau

For History

#292 in Europe

#729 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 2,316
Founded: 1794

18. Normal Superior School

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#297 in Europe

#743 in the World

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

19. Paris Diderot University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#303 in Europe

#754 in the World

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

20. University of Burgundy

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Dijon

For History

#313 in Europe

#778 in the World

Enrollment: 29,508
Founded: 1722

21. University of Nantes

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For History

#321 in Europe

#804 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 37,252
Founded: 1460

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

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#326 in Europe

#816 in the World

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

23. University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Nice

For History

#328 in Europe

#820 in the World

Enrollment: 28,333
Founded: 1965

24. University of Caen Normandy

Normandy | Caen

For History

#336 in Europe

#836 in the World

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

25. Paris West University Nanterre La Defense

Ile-de-France | Nanterre

For History

#349 in Europe

#875 in the World

Enrollment: 31,975
Founded: 1964

26. University of Rouen Normandie

Normandy | Mont-Saint-Aignan

For History

#370 in Europe

#936 in the World

Enrollment: 31,500
Founded: 1966

27. Normal Superior School of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For History

#380 in Europe

#976 in the World

Enrollment: 2,297
Founded: 1987

28. National School of Bridges and Roads

Ile-de-France | Champs sur Marne

For History

#383 in Europe

#982 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1747

29. University of Poitiers

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Poitiers

For History

#394 in Europe

#1021 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 25,078
Founded: 1431

30. University of Western Brittany

Brittany | Brest

For History

#396 in Europe

#1024 in the World

Enrollment: 22,303
Founded: 1461

31. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For History

#401 in Europe

#1033 in the World

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

32. University of Paris 8

Ile-de-France | Saint-Denis

For History

#402 in Europe

#1036 in the World

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

33. Paris Descartes University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#403 in Europe

#1037 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 31,704
Founded: 2019

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

Ile-de-France | Creteil

For History

#407 in Europe

#1052 in the World

Enrollment: 37,313
Founded: 1970

35. TELECOM ParisTech

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#409 in Europe

#1059 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 1878

36. EHESP School of Public Health

Brittany | Rennes

For History

#416 in Europe

#1074 in the World

Enrollment: 433
Founded: 1945

37. Montpellier SupAgro

Occitanie | Montpellier

For History

#417 in Europe

#1077 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Founded: 2007

38. University of Orleans

Centre-Val de Loire | Orleans

For History

#418 in Europe

#1078 in the World

Enrollment: 16,629
Founded: 1962

39. Francois Rabelais University

Centre-Val de Loire | Tours

For History

#429 in Europe

#1149 in the World

Enrollment: 27,388
Founded: 1969

40. National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For History

#430 in Europe

#1151 in the World

Enrollment: 4,148
Founded: 1969

41. University of Rheims Champagne-Ardenne

Grand Est | Reims

For History

#435 in Europe

#1166 in the World

Enrollment: 24,480
Founded: 1548

42. National Graduate School of Engineering, Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#438 in Europe

#1171 in the World

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

43. University of Clermont Auvergne

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Clermont-Ferrand

For History

#443 in Europe

#1192 in the World

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

44. Paris Dauphine University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#456 in Europe

#1250 in the World

Enrollment: 11,281
Founded: 1968

45. Grenoble Institute of Technology

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Grenoble

For History

#471 in Europe

#1297 in the World

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

46. New Sorbonne University - Paris III

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#472 in Europe

#1299 in the World

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

47. University of Franche-Comte

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Besancon

For History

#482 in Europe

#1329 in the World

Enrollment: 21,550
Founded: 1423

48. University of Savoy Mont Blanc

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Chambery

For History

#493 in Europe

#1355 in the World

Enrollment: 14,735
Founded: 1979

49. University of La Rochelle

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | La Rochelle

For History

#503 in Europe

#1391 in the World

Enrollment: 7,832
Founded: 1993

50. University of Avignon and the Vaucluse

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Avignon

For History

#505 in Europe

#1410 in the World

Enrollment: 6,434
Founded: 1984

51. University of Perpignan Via Domitia

Occitanie | Perpignan

For History

#524 in Europe

#1465 in the World

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

52. University of Angers

Pays de la Loire | Angers

For History

#529 in Europe

#1473 in the World

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

53. University of Limoges

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Limoges

For History

#535 in Europe

#1506 in the World

Enrollment: 17,658
Founded: 1968

54. University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Pau

For History

#540 in Europe

#1523 in the World

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

55. Normal Superior School of Paris-Saclay

Ile-de-France | Cachan

For History

#547 in Europe

#1555 in the World

Enrollment: 1,382
Founded: 1912

56. University of Technology of Compiegne

Hauts-de-France | Compiegne

For History

#552 in Europe

#1567 in the World

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

57. Paul Valery University, Montpellier 3

Occitanie | Montpellier

For History

#571 in Europe

#1631 in the World

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

58. University of Toulon

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | La Garde

For History

#575 in Europe

#1642 in the World

Enrollment: 11,014
Founded: 1979

59. Agrocampus Ouest

Brittany | Rennes

For History

#588 in Europe

#1700 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 2008

60. ESSEC Business School Paris

Ile-de-France | Cergy-Pontoise

For History

#596 in Europe

#1749 in the World

Founded: 1907

61. Upper Alsace University

Grand Est | Mulhouse

For History

#601 in Europe

#1760 in the World

Enrollment: 9,921
Founded: 1975

62. Central School of Nantes

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For History

#602 in Europe

#1761 in the World

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

63. HEC School of Management

Ile-de-France | Jouy-en-Josas

For History

#605 in Europe

#1768 in the World

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

64. University of Southern Brittany

Brittany | Lorient

For History

#615 in Europe

#1863 in the World

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

65. National Advanced School of Engineering

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#628 in Europe

#1926 in the World

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

66. Eurecom

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

For History

#630 in Europe

#1934 in the World

Founded: 1991

67. Catholic University of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For History

#648 in Europe

#2013 in the World

Enrollment: 12,000
Founded: 1875

68. University of Corsica Pascal Paoli

Corsica | Corte

For History

#653 in Europe

#2031 in the World

Enrollment: 4,183
Founded: 1981

69. CentraleSupelec

Ile-de-France | Gif-sur-Yvette

For History

#663 in Europe

#2113 in the World

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

70. Artois University

Hauts-de-France | Arras

For History

#667 in Europe

#2140 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 11,091
Founded: 1992

71. Jean Monnet University

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint-Etienne

For History

#673 in Europe

#2164 in the World

Enrollment: 17,195
Founded: 1970

72. National Engineering School of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Futuroscope

For History

#683 in Europe

#2200 in the World

Enrollment: 768
Founded: 1948

73. University of Rennes 2

Brittany | Rennes

For History

#688 in Europe

#2226 in the World

Enrollment: 23,365
Founded: 1969

74. Pantheon-Assas Paris II University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#697 in Europe

#2263 in the World

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

75. EMLYON Business School

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For History

#702 in Europe

#2294 in the World

Enrollment: 9,000
Founded: 1872

76. University of Evry-Val d'Essonne

Ile-de-France | Evry

For History

#703 in Europe

#2317 in the World

Enrollment: 6,458
Founded: 1991

77. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Rouen

Normandy | Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray

For History

#712 in Europe

#2378 in the World

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

78. University of the French West Indies

Guadeloupe | Pointe-a-Pitre

For History

#715 in Europe

#2391 in the World

Enrollment: 11,593
Founded: 1850

79. University of the Littoral Opal Coast

Hauts-de-France | Dunkirk

For History

#719 in Europe

#2409 in the World

Enrollment: 10,381
Founded: 1991

80. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For History

#723 in Europe

#2418 in the World

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

81. National Graduate School of Textile Engineering

Hauts-de-France | Roubaix

For History

#727 in Europe

#2444 in the World

Enrollment: 419
Founded: 1889

82. EDHEC Business School

Hauts-de-France | Roubaix

For History

#729 in Europe

#2449 in the World

Founded: 1906

83. University of Technology of Troyes

Grand Est | Troyes

For History

#736 in Europe

#2472 in the World

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

84. Kedge Business School

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Bordeaux

For History

#737 in Europe

#2473 in the World

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

85. Polytechnic University of Hauts-de-France

Hauts-de-France | Valenciennes

For History

#745 in Europe

#2533 in the World

Enrollment: 10,994
Founded: 1964

86. Central School of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For History

#746 in Europe

#2552 in the World

Enrollment: 2,272
Founded: 1872

87. Central School of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Ecully

For History

#747 in Europe

#2574 in the World

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

88. Toulouse Business School

Occitanie | Toulouse

For History

#749 in Europe

#2585 in the World

Enrollment: 5,600
Founded: 1903

89. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Rennes

Brittany | Rennes

For History

#752 in Europe

#2595 in the World

Enrollment: 2,073
Founded: 1966

90. National Graduate School of Chemistry, Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#755 in Europe

#2615 in the World

Enrollment: 565
Founded: 1896

91. National Graduate School of Chemistry of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Villeneuve-d'Ascq

For History

#756 in Europe

#2618 in the World

Enrollment: 363
Founded: 1894

92. University of Le Havre

Normandy | Le Havre

For History

#758 in Europe

#2665 in the World

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

93. National Veterinary School of Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For History

#775 in Europe

#2752 in the World

Founded: 1828

94. National Graduate School of Chemistry, Montpellier

Occitanie | Montpellier

For History

#777 in Europe

#2769 in the World

Enrollment: 427
Founded: 1957

95. University of Technology of Belfort-Montbeliard

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Belfort

For History

#780 in Europe

#2804 in the World

Enrollment: 2,455
Founded: 1999

96. Jean Moulin University Lyon 3

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For History

#781 in Europe

#2805 in the World

Enrollment: 26,754
Founded: 1809

97. National School Mines - Telecom Lille Douai

Hauts-de-France | Douai

For History

#791 in Europe

#2845 in the World

Founded: 2017

98. University of French Polynesia

French Polynesia | Puna'auia

For History

#797 in Europe

#2879 in the World

Enrollment: 2,944
Founded: 1987

99. Lille Catholic University

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For History

#804 in Europe

#2908 in the World

Enrollment: 32,000
Founded: 1875

100. School of Industrial Physics and Chemistry of the City of Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For History

#805 in Europe

#2913 in the World

Enrollment: 1,000
Founded: 1882

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

Liberal Arts & Social Sciences subfields in France

Broadcast Journalism5

Classics and Ancient History58

Communications and Public Relations60

Criminology and Criminal Justice19

Early Childhood Education9

Education Majors84

Forensic Science8

Gender Studies37

Human Rights Law9

Intellectual Property and Patent Law16

International Law12

International Relations and Diplomacy11

Journalism and Digital Media22

Law Enforcement10

Library and Information science61

Media Studies16

Military science13

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution21

Occupational Safety and Health14

Political Economy20

Political Science128

Public Policy / Administration26

Radio and Television broadcasting7

Special Education25

Sports / Exercise science22

Theology / Divinity / Religious studies83

Urban and Regional planning18