The University of France is not a single institution but a historical and organizational concept within the French higher education system. Here are some detailed insights:
Following the French Revolution, the existing university structure was dismantled. In 1808, Napoleon Bonaparte established the Imperial University of France through the Loi sur l'Université to centralize and regulate education in France. This was part of a broader initiative to reform and secularize education, moving away from the control of the Catholic Church.
Over time, the centralized control of the Imperial University of France evolved:
Today, the term "University of France" might be used informally to refer to the entirety of French higher education institutions, including:
These institutions, while historically part of the University of France, are now independent universities with their own governance and focus areas.