You might be used to seeing grand universities with sprawling campuses, but right here, in the heart of Paris, we stand before a different kind of academic haven. Université Paris II – Panthéon Assas, often simply called ‘Assas’ by locals, isn’t about grand buildings. Its story is one of resilience, of a legacy born amidst a tumultuous time. The year is 1968, the world is changing, and the University of Paris, a venerable institution, is splitting into smaller universities. With a new sense of purpose, the professors of law, some of the most respected minds in France, decide to keep alive the spirit of the Faculty of Law. They choose this spot in the Latin Quarter, a place steeped in intellectual ferment.
So, what is this place, exactly? This is Université Paris II – Panthéon Assas, a university with a soul. It’s a place where students from around the world come to learn and think critically about law, economics, and social sciences. It’s also a place where the historical buildings of the Faculty of Law of Paris still stand, and the echoes of past generations of students still whisper in the halls.
But the story doesn’t end there. The building we see before us, with its old chapel converted into a lecture hall, is more than just a place of learning, it’s a microcosm of history. Imagine Charles de Gaulle, a young man, attending classes in this very space, and you’ll understand what I mean. This building was once part of the Jesuit College of the Immaculate Conception, a space where knowledge and faith intertwined. Today, it’s a place where knowledge is pursued in a different way. Students come here, not just to learn the ‘what’ but to explore the ‘why’. They don’t just learn about law, they study it, dissect it, and challenge its very notion.
It’s a place where students come from all over the world, drawn by the reputation of its history and its commitment to excellence. And it’s a place where dreams are born, where future legal minds, journalists, and economists come to nurture their aspirations. Step inside, and you’ll feel the weight of history. But don’t be fooled by the grandeur. This is a place of vibrant intellectual curiosity, where the pursuit of knowledge and truth is the cornerstone. Université Paris II – Panthéon Assas – a name that is synonymous with French legal excellence.