Ecole Polytechnique
Founded 1794. France's elite military engineering school, motto for country, science, and glory.
Overview
Founded by the National Convention during the Revolution, Polytechnique was militarized by Napoleon with its famous motto for country, the sciences, and glory. Its alumni and professors include Cauchy in mathematics, Coriolis of the force, Carnot lineage in thermodynamics, and Becquerel radioactivity Nobels. Entrance by competitive exam, the school moved to Palaiseau in 1976 with about 3,000 students in uniformed cadre tradition. The July 14 Bastille Day march down the Champs-Elysees is led by its student battalion. French industry and state corps leadership draws from it steadily.
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