77 Best universities for Theoretical Physics 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 Theoretical Physics. A graph of 1.78M citations received by 48.6K academic papers made by 77 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 Theoretical Physics

#4 in Europe

#17 in the World

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

2. Polytechnic School

Ile-de-France | Palaiseau

For Theoretical Physics

#10 in Europe

#37 in the World

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

3. Paris-Sud University

Ile-de-France | Orsay

For Theoretical Physics

#13 in Europe

#43 in the World

Enrollment: 23,270
Founded: 2014

4. Normal Superior School

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#35 in Europe

#90 in the World

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

5. Normal Superior School of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Theoretical Physics

#69 in Europe

#150 in the World

Enrollment: 2,297
Founded: 1987

6. Paul Sabatier University - Toulouse III

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Theoretical Physics

#80 in Europe

#164 in the World

Enrollment: 29,680
Founded: 1960

7. Claude Bernard University Lyon 1

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Villeurbanne

For Theoretical Physics

#85 in Europe

#176 in the World

Enrollment: 38,007
Founded: 1809

8. University of Montpellier

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Theoretical Physics

#114 in Europe

#233 in the World

Enrollment: 49,000
Founded: 1289

9. University of Aix-Marseilles

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Marseille

For Theoretical Physics

#120 in Europe

#253 in the World

Enrollment: 66,378
Founded: 2012

10. Francois Rabelais University

Centre-Val de Loire | Tours

For Theoretical Physics

#121 in Europe

#255 in the World

Enrollment: 27,388
Founded: 1969

11. Cergy-Pontoise University

Ile-de-France | Cergy-Pontoise

For Theoretical Physics

#146 in Europe

#303 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Enrollment: 20,784
Founded: 1991

12. Grenoble Alpes University

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint Martin d'Heres

For Theoretical Physics

#150 in Europe

#310 in the World

Enrollment: 53,949
Founded: 1339

13. University of Lorraine

Grand Est | Nancy

For Theoretical Physics

#154 in Europe

#317 in the World

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

14. University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Nice

For Theoretical Physics

#160 in Europe

#335 in the World

Enrollment: 25,327
Founded: 1965

15. University of Bordeaux

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Bordeaux

For Theoretical Physics

#177 in Europe

#365 in the World

Enrollment: 46,845
Founded: 1441

16. Paris Dauphine University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#179 in Europe

#372 in the World

Enrollment: 11,281
Founded: 1968

17. University of Burgundy

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Dijon

For Theoretical Physics

#186 in Europe

#385 in the World

Enrollment: 29,508
Founded: 1722

18. Paris Diderot University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#190 in Europe

#396 in the World

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

19. University of Toulon

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | La Garde

For Theoretical Physics

#192 in Europe

#403 in the World

Enrollment: 11,014
Founded: 1979

20. University of Nantes

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For Theoretical Physics

#211 in Europe

#462 in the World

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

21. University of Picardie Jules Verne

Hauts-de-France | Amiens

For Theoretical Physics

#216 in Europe

#469 in the World

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

22. University of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Theoretical Physics

#231 in Europe

#512 in the World

Enrollment: 69,000
Founded: 2018

23. University of Clermont Auvergne

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Clermont-Ferrand

For Theoretical Physics

#244 in Europe

#553 in the World

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

24. University of Franche-Comte

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Besancon

For Theoretical Physics

#247 in Europe

#556 in the World

Enrollment: 21,677
Founded: 1423

25. University of Strasbourg

Grand Est | Strasbourg

For Theoretical Physics

#252 in Europe

#570 in the World

Enrollment: 10,077
Founded: 1621

26. University of Orleans

Centre-Val de Loire | Orleans

For Theoretical Physics

#257 in Europe

#584 in the World

Enrollment: 16,629
Founded: 1962

27. Normal Superior School of Paris-Saclay

Ile-de-France | Cachan

For Theoretical Physics

#258 in Europe

#586 in the World

Enrollment: 1,382
Founded: 1912

28. University of Savoy Mont Blanc

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Chambery

For Theoretical Physics

#263 in Europe

#599 in the World

Enrollment: 14,498
Founded: 1979

29. University of Western Brittany

Brittany | Brest

For Theoretical Physics

#302 in Europe

#720 in the World

Enrollment: 22,303
Founded: 1461

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

Ile-de-France | Creteil

For Theoretical Physics

#311 in Europe

#759 in the World

Enrollment: 37,313
Founded: 1970

31. University of Rouen Normandie

Normandy | Mont-Saint-Aignan

For Theoretical Physics

#320 in Europe

#785 in the World

Enrollment: 31,500
Founded: 1966

32. University of Poitiers

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Poitiers

For Theoretical Physics

#332 in Europe

#832 in the World

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

33. University of Angers

Pays de la Loire | Angers

For Theoretical Physics

#335 in Europe

#844 in the World

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

34. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Theoretical Physics

#343 in Europe

#878 in the World

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

35. Upper Alsace University

Grand Est | Mulhouse

For Theoretical Physics

#354 in Europe

#908 in the World

Enrollment: 9,921
Founded: 1975

36. National Graduate School of Engineering, Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#355 in Europe

#912 in the World

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

37. Paris West University Nanterre La Defense

Ile-de-France | Nanterre

For Theoretical Physics

#369 in Europe

#966 in the World

Enrollment: 31,975
Founded: 1964

38. CentraleSupelec

Ile-de-France | Gif-sur-Yvette

For Theoretical Physics

#379 in Europe

#997 in the World

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

39. University of Rheims Champagne-Ardenne

Grand Est | Reims

For Theoretical Physics

#385 in Europe

#1017 in the World

Enrollment: 24,480
Founded: 1548

40. National Graduate School of Chemistry, Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#387 in Europe

#1025 in the World

Enrollment: 565
Founded: 1896

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

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#399 in Europe

#1076 in the World

Enrollment: 1,000
Founded: 1882

42. University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Pau

For Theoretical Physics

#401 in Europe

#1082 in the World

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

43. National School of Bridges and Roads

Ile-de-France | Champs sur Marne

For Theoretical Physics

#404 in Europe

#1100 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1747

44. University of Paris 8

Ile-de-France | Saint-Denis

For Theoretical Physics

#410 in Europe

#1131 in the World

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

45. Central School of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Ecully

For Theoretical Physics

#417 in Europe

#1156 in the World

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

46. Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University

Ile-de-France | Versailles

For Theoretical Physics

#421 in Europe

#1169 in the World

Enrollment: 13,816
Founded: 1991

47. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Rouen

Normandy | Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray

For Theoretical Physics

#430 in Europe

#1213 in the World

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

48. University of the Littoral Opal Coast

Hauts-de-France | Dunkirk

For Theoretical Physics

#432 in Europe

#1220 in the World

Enrollment: 10,381
Founded: 1991

49. Grenoble Institute of Technology

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Grenoble

For Theoretical Physics

#441 in Europe

#1253 in the World

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

50. TELECOM ParisTech

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#448 in Europe

#1296 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 1878

51. University of Evry-Val d'Essonne

Ile-de-France | Evry

For Theoretical Physics

#451 in Europe

#1304 in the World

Enrollment: 6,458
Founded: 1991

52. University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#453 in Europe

#1312 in the World

Enrollment: 42,700
Founded: 1971

53. National Graduate School for Advanced Technologies

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#462 in Europe

#1339 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Enrollment: 897
Founded: 1970

54. University of Corsica Pascal Paoli

Corsica | Corte

For Theoretical Physics

#467 in Europe

#1367 in the World

Enrollment: 4,183
Founded: 1981

55. Central School of Nantes

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For Theoretical Physics

#470 in Europe

#1373 in the World

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

56. Paris Institute of Political Studies

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#473 in Europe

#1391 in the World

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

57. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Theoretical Physics

#483 in Europe

#1437 in the World

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

58. University of Avignon and the Vaucluse

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Avignon

For Theoretical Physics

#486 in Europe

#1445 in the World

Enrollment: 6,434
Founded: 1984

59. University of Caen Normandy

Normandy | Caen

For Theoretical Physics

#491 in Europe

#1460 in the World

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

60. University of Limoges

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Limoges

For Theoretical Physics

#493 in Europe

#1465 in the World

Enrollment: 17,658
Founded: 1968

61. University of Southern Brittany

Brittany | Lorient

For Theoretical Physics

#497 in Europe

#1482 in the World

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

62. Polytechnic University of Hauts-de-France

Hauts-de-France | Valenciennes

For Theoretical Physics

#500 in Europe

#1494 in the World

Enrollment: 10,994
Founded: 1964

63. University of La Rochelle

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | La Rochelle

For Theoretical Physics

#504 in Europe

#1507 in the World

Enrollment: 7,832
Founded: 1993

64. School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#509 in Europe

#1550 in the World

Enrollment: 2,613
Founded: 1947

65. National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Theoretical Physics

#522 in Europe

#1622 in the World

Enrollment: 4,148
Founded: 1969

66. University of Technology of Compiegne

Hauts-de-France | Compiegne

For Theoretical Physics

#552 in Europe

#1775 in the World

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

67. Central School of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Theoretical Physics

#565 in Europe

#1820 in the World

Enrollment: 2,272
Founded: 1872

68. Artois University

Hauts-de-France | Arras

For Theoretical Physics

#572 in Europe

#1838 in the World

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

69. Jean Monnet University

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint-Etienne

For Theoretical Physics

#580 in Europe

#1885 in the World

Enrollment: 17,195
Founded: 1970

70. National Advanced School of Engineering

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#584 in Europe

#1896 in the World

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

71. Paris Descartes University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Theoretical Physics

#585 in Europe

#1897 in the World

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

72. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Rennes

Brittany | Rennes

For Theoretical Physics

#598 in Europe

#1999 in the World

Enrollment: 1,854
Founded: 1966

73. Higher Institute of Aeronautics and Space

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Theoretical Physics

#600 in Europe

#2018 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Enrollment: 1,700
Founded: 2007

74. University of Perpignan Via Domitia

Occitanie | Perpignan

For Theoretical Physics

#611 in Europe

#2110 in the World

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

75. University of Le Havre

Normandy | Le Havre

For Theoretical Physics

#623 in Europe

#2190 in the World

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

76. National Graduate School of Engineering, Caen

Normandy | Caen

For Theoretical Physics

#626 in Europe

#2211 in the World

Enrollment: 818
Founded: 1976

77. National Engineering Graduate School of Mechanics and Microtechnologies

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Besancon

For Theoretical Physics

#627 in Europe

#2212 in the World

Enrollment: 762
Founded: 1902

The best cities to study Theoretical Physics in France based on the number of universities and their ranks are Paris, Palaiseau, Orsay, and Lyon.

Physics subfields in France

Acoustical Engineering119

Applied/Engineering Physics56

Astrophysics and Astronomy122

Atomic and Molecular physics74

Condensed Matter Physics81

Materials Science134

Medical Physics30

Nanotechnology100

Nuclear Physics91

Optical Engineering125

Quantum and Particle physics132