About the Académie française

A public institution founded in 1635 by Cardinal Richelieu, dedicated to overseeing and refining the French language.

Origin and legal status

The Académie française was founded by Cardinal Richelieu in 1635, with its statutes officially registered by the Parliament of Paris in July 1637. Since 1795, it has been part of the Institut de France, a public administrative establishment placed under the protection of the President of the French Republic.

Mission

« The principal function of the Academy shall be to work with all possible care and diligence to give definite rules to our language, and to render it pure, eloquent and capable of treating the arts and sciences. »

— Article XXIV of the original statutes (1635)

This mission is fulfilled through three main activities: compiling the Dictionnaire, awarding literary prizes, and serving as arbiter of the proper usage of French.

Composition

The Academy comprises forty members elected for life by secret ballot. Each seat (fauteuil) bears a number from 1 to 40, unchanged since the founding. When an academician passes away, an election is held to fill the vacant seat.

Interior view of the Dome where the Académie française holds its solemn sessions
The interior of the Dome of the Institut de France, where solemn sessions of the Academy are held.

Organisation

Secrétaire perpétuel
Elected for life from among the members. Directs proceedings, represents the Academy in public.
Directeur and Chancelier
Elected on a quarterly rotation, they preside over weekly sessions in turn.
Standing commissions
Dictionary, literary prizes, charitable works.

Visit & address

Institut de France
23 quai de Conti
75270 Paris cedex 06 — France
Metro: Pont-Neuf (line 7), Saint-Michel (line 4) — RER: Saint-Michel.

The Palais de l'Institut is open to the public during European Heritage Days (September) and on the occasion of solemn sessions.