Education and Culture

The University of Paris, once the largest institution of higher education in France, was divided into 13 autonomous universities —University of Paris I through XIII—in the early 1970's. Together, the Universities of Paris have a combined enrollment of some 285,000 students and offer degrees in virtually every field of study. Also in Paris are the national conservatories of music, dance, and art. The headquarters of the National Center of Scientific Research as well as numerous institutes, colleges, and specialized schools are in Paris.

The National Archives, established in 1789, hold government, historical, and legal documents, accumulated over hundreds of years. The Bibliothèque Nationale de France ranks among the world's largest libraries with millions of volumes, some dating to the 15th century, as well as manuscripts and periodicals. Other libraries, such as university and research libraries, are numerous.

Dozens of museums are scattered throughout Paris. The Louvre, one of the world's largest museums, exhibits Oriental, Egyptian, Greek, and Roman antiquities and medieval, Renaissance, and modern art. The Musée d'Orsay, a railway station renovated as a museum and opened in 1986, houses an outstanding collection of Impressionist art. A large collection of modern art is found in the National Museum of Modern Art, located in the Pompidou Center. The Museum of Modern Art of the City of Paris also has an extensive collection. There are also museums dedicated to individual artists, including Delacroix, Monet, Picasso, and Rodin.

Historical museums include the Cluny Museum, devoted to the Middle Ages; the Carnavalet Museum, dealing mainly with the history of Paris; and excellent museums of maritime and army history. The Museum of Man (Musée de l'Homme) is an eminent museum of anthropology. Among the science museums is the Palace of Discovery, which includes a planetarium. The Chaillot National Theater, the National Theater of the Odeon, and the Comedie Française present stage productions. Noted orchestras include the Orchestra of Paris, the National Orchestra of France, and the French National Radio Orchestra. Contemporary music is performed at a number of locations throughout the city. Paris is especially known as a European center for jazz.