University of Lyon

The University of Lyon (French: Université de Lyon [ynivɛʁsite də ljɔ̃]; UdL) is a university system (ComUE) based in Lyon, France. It comprises 12 members and 9 associated institutions. The three main constituent universities in this center are: Claude Bernard University Lyon 1, which focuses upon health and science studies and has approximately 47,000 students; Lumière University Lyon 2, which focuses upon the social sciences and arts, and has about 30,000 students; Jean Moulin University Lyon 3, which focuses upon the law and humanities with about 20,000 students.

Following Paris and Toulouse, Lyon stands as France's third-largest university hub. Hosting 129,000 students, 11,500 educators and researchers, along with 510 private and public laboratories, it encompasses the city's three faculties (Lyon-1, Lyon-2, and Lyon-3), alongside the Jean Monnet University of Saint-Étienne, École Centrale de Lyon, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, and the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Lyon. The Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France's public institution for scientific research, is a vital member of this university network. Collaboratively, private and public higher education institutions in the Lyon region pool resources to advance and promote scientific research. Originally established between 1896 and 1968 as a centralized university amalgamating three historical faculties (sciences, arts, medicine, and law), the University of Lyon transitioned into a decentralized model under the Edgar Faure law, advocating for university autonomy. Flourishing as a prominent research hub for Egyptological studies since the late 19th century, Lyon witnessed the birth of the Institute of Egyptology in 1879. In 1975, Egyptological studies found a home in the Victor Loret Institute of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), alongside the creation of the Maison de l'Orient et de la Méditerranée.