Picture yourself in the heart of the Latin Quarter, standing on the Place du Panthéon. You are looking at the Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas. The very building that stands before you is a living history book, and you’re about to step into its pages. This university is considered the direct inheritor of the Faculty of Law of Paris, the second-oldest law school in the world. It was founded in the 12th century, back when Paris’s Latin Quarter was a hub of academic life, and it carries that legacy even today.
The name Panthéon-Assas refers to the two main buildings that house the university. One is located on the Place du Panthéon, a truly grand space, and the other is on the Rue d’Assas, a quieter street. The building on the Place du Panthéon was originally built in the 18th century for the Faculty of Law of Paris. Jacques-Germain Soufflot, an alumnus of the faculty himself, was the architect. He designed a beautiful building, which was unfortunately transformed into a city hall during the French Revolution. It wasn’t until the 19th century that the building’s original function was reinstated.
The university is not just about law, though. They also offer courses in political science, economics, journalism, and management. With over 23,000 students, including thousands from around the world, the Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas is a vibrant community of learning. Standing on the Place du Panthéon today, it’s hard to imagine the quiet, medieval beginnings of the school. It’s hard not to be impressed by the legacy carried on by this grand university.