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Art History Schools and Programs in France

6 schools in France teach Art History.

Art History Studies in France

The Louvre in Paris, SourceThe Louvre in Paris, Source

Art history in France is a university subject, usually taught together with archaeology. Public universities offer it as a three-year licence (the French bachelor's degree) followed by a two-year master's degree, and one specialised state school, the École du Louvre, teaches it inside the Louvre palace in Paris. Courses are built around direct study of works of art, monuments and museum collections, which France has in every region.

SpainExchange lists six universities in France with art history programmes: two in Paris and one each in Nantes, Toulouse, Poitiers and La Rochelle.

How the degree is organised

France uses the European licence, master's and doctorate structure. The licence takes six semesters and gives 180 ECTS credits; the master's degree adds four semesters and 120 ECTS credits. National degrees awarded by universities have the same academic value throughout the country, according to Campus France.

The official name of the bachelor's-level degree is normally licence Histoire de l'art et archéologie. Students cover the main periods, from ancient and medieval to modern and contemporary art, with archaeology, and choose a specialism as they advance. Master's degrees then prepare for research or for professions in heritage, museums and the art market.

The École du Louvre is a higher education institution of the Ministry of Culture that teaches art history, archaeology, epigraphy, anthropology and museology. Its first-cycle diploma takes three years and is worth the grade of licence; its second-cycle diploma takes two more years and is worth the grade of master, with tracks such as art history applied to collections, museology and mediation. Entry is by competitive exam.

Where to study

The universities in the list organise the subject in different ways:

  • Nantes Université has a faculty of history, art history and archaeology, which reports 1,450 students and 22 programmes on its website (updated 5 October 2026)
  • The Université de Poitiers has a department of art history and archaeology within its faculty of humanities and arts, which teaches eight disciplines from licence to master's level
  • The Institut Catholique de Paris (ICP), a private university, offers the licence Histoire de l'art et archéologie in two tracks: art history with English, and art history with history
  • The American University of Paris (AUP) teaches an Art History major in English, described as a critical study of visual and material culture from the ancient to the modern period
  • Université Toulouse - Jean Jaurès and La Rochelle Université are also in the list; check their websites for the current programmes

Admission and language

Anyone with a secondary school diploma that gives access to university can apply for the first year of a licence. The procedure depends on where you live and your nationality:

  • European students apply for the first year through the Parcoursup platform
  • Non-European students use the DAP (demande d'admission préalable), which lets them apply to three universities at once. For entry in 2027-28, registration runs from 1 October to 15 December 2026
  • Residents of the 75 countries and territories covered by "Études en France" complete the procedure on that platform, which also leads to the visa application
  • For a national master's degree, the Mon Master platform is used by students in France or in the European Economic Area; others apply through "Études en France" or directly to the university

Public programmes are taught in French. France Éducation international states that the DELF B2, and increasingly the DALF C1, give access to French universities; each university sets its own requirement. AUP teaches in English.

Costs

At public universities, tuition fees for 2026-27 are €178 per year for a licence and €255 for a master's degree for students from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland. Students from other countries pay €2,902 and €3,950, unless an exemption applies, according to Campus France. Private institutions such as ICP and AUP set their own fees; Campus France puts private fees in most cases at approximately €6,000 to €18,000 per year. The École du Louvre, under the Ministry of Culture, has its own tariff.

Careers

Art history graduates work in museums, heritage services, galleries and auction houses, publishing, cultural mediation, tourism and teaching. In France, the posts of museum and heritage curator in the public sector are filled by competitive exam: the Institut national du patrimoine, the Ministry of Culture's school for heritage professionals, organises the exams for curators and trains them.

Frequently asked questions

How long does an art history degree take in France?

Three years for the licence (180 ECTS credits) and two more for the master's degree (120 ECTS credits).

Can I study art history in France in English?

Yes, at the American University of Paris, which teaches an Art History major in English. Public universities teach mainly in French; ICP offers a track that combines art history and English.

What is the École du Louvre?

It is a state school under the Ministry of Culture that teaches art history, archaeology and museology. Its diplomas are worth the grades of licence and master, and admission is by competitive exam.

How much does it cost?

At public universities in 2026-27, a licence costs €178 per year for EU, EEA and Swiss students and €2,902 for most other students. Private universities charge more.