In 1794, The École centrale des travaux publics was founded by Lazare Carnot and Gaspard Monge, during the French Revolution, at the time of the National Convention.
It was renamed "École polytechnique" one year later.
In 1805, French Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte moved the École to Montagne Sainte-Geneviève, in the Quartier Latin of central Paris, as a military academy and gave it its motto Pour la Patrie, les Sciences et la Gloire (For the Nation, Science, and Glory).
In 1814, students took part in fighting to defend Paris from the Sixth Coalition.
In 1830, fifty students participated in the July Revolution.

During the First World War, students were mobilised and the school building was transformed into a hospital.
More than two hundred students died during the war.
During the Second World War, the Polytechnique was moved to Lyon in the free zone.
More than four hundred students died during the war (Free French, French Resistance, Nazi camps).
In 1970, the École became a state supported civilian institution, under the auspices of the Ministry of Defence.
In 1972, female students were admitted for the first time.
In 1976, the École moved from central Paris to Palaiseau in the southern suburbs.
In 1985, it started awarding PhD degrees.
In 1994, celebration of the bicentennial was chaired by President François Mitterrand.
In 1794, The École centrale des travaux publics was founded by Lazare Carnot and Gaspard Monge, during the French Revolution, at the time of the National Convention. It was renamed "École polytechnique" one year later. In 1805, French Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte moved the École to Montagne Sainte-Geneviève, in the Quartier Latin of central Paris, as a military academy and gave it its motto Pour la Patrie, les Sciences et la Gloire (For the Nation, Science, and Glory). In 1814, students took part in fighting to defend Paris from the Sixth Coalition. In 1830, fifty students participated in the July Revolution.
During the First World War, students were mobilised and the school building was transformed into a hospital. More than two hundred students died during the war. During the Second World War, the Polytechnique was moved to Lyon in the free zone. More than four hundred students died during the war (Free French, French Resistance, Nazi camps). In 1970, the École became a state supported civilian institution, under the auspices of the Ministry of Defence. In 1972, female students were admitted for the first time. In 1976, the École moved from central Paris to Palaiseau in the southern suburbs. In 1985, it started awarding PhD degrees. In 1994, celebration of the bicentennial was chaired by President François Mitterrand.
École Polytechnique