Science park in Poitiers (Futuroscope/
Bibliotheque nationale, Paris/
Cite des Sciences, La Villette, Paris/
Bibliotheque, centre Pompidou, Paris

Higher Education in France is an experience quite different from the USA. It's the European approach to education.  If one goes by looks and amenities, certainly the French universities pale by comparison with American universities.   French academia has no interest in high prestige sports teams, the emphasis is strictly on academic matter and research. The French has the bibliotheque Nationale (e.g lib of Congress ) easily accessible and it is believed that all universities carry the same standards.  French universities can be very old (they started in the Middle Ages e.g La Sorbonne )  and  have been producing great minds. The tendency nowadays is still to consider universities as a place for reflexion and learning first and foremost.  They do not have a vocational approach.
FRENCH HIGHER EDUCATION
            Higher education in France is world-renowned for its quality and
            accessibility. Tuition and health insurance at public schools are paid for by
            the French government. Admission and promotion is through a system of
            merit-based examinations. Thus, intellectually qualified students are
            ensured a fair chance of pursuing their educational goals, regardless of their
            financial or social status.
            France leads the European Community in welcoming foreign students to its
            schools and universities, with over 120,000 guests registered in French
            educational institutions.
            French public and private post-secondary educational institutions are divided
            into the following categories:
            > Universities
            > "Grandes Ecoles"
            SPECIALIZED EDUCATION
            > Architecture Programs
            > Business Schools
            > Engineering Schools
            > Health Care Programs
            > Journalism
            > Political Studies Institutes (IEP)
            > Visual and Applied Arts Programs                                                   . 
                                                                                                                                                                                  fig. Sorbonne-auditorium

UniversitiesFrench public universities aim to give a general education of high level in all academic areas.  These are completely subsidized by the government. Registration fees for the academic year are in the range of 750 to 4500FF(approximately $125 to $750) in public institutions of higher education. In some cases, additional fees to cover health insurance (sécurité sociale), ranging from 2,500 to 5,000FF (about $430 to $860 depending on the currency exchange rate), can also be incurred. These costs do not include living expenses.
Degrees:  2 year degree=  Diplôme d'Etudes Supérieures
BA= 3 year = Licence
MA= 4 year = Maîtrise
Ph.D= 7 years =Doctorat
fig. Ecole Normale Sup, Lyon
Grandes Ecoles are Institutions in higher education  that  limit the number of applicants admitted. Very competitive. To prepare for entrance competitions(e.g one in five gain admission ), lycee students must enrol in preparatory classes.(2 years PREPA).   Students must sit for the competition corresponding to the stream taken in preparatory classes: scientific, technological and economic. These schools have a professional specialization that is not covered in universities : Grandes Ecoles:  "Ecoles Polytechniques" (Engineering schools);    Ecoles  Superieures de Commerce e.g. HEC/ESC, Bordeaux,  or Lyon, Paris.... (Business Schools)note: Business schools are funded by companies via the Chamber of  Commerce. "Ecole Nationale d'Administration" e.g. ENA ( Public Administration Schools), Ecoles Normales Superieures (Higher Institutes for Education) .

Institutions for specific studies with a more vocational approach other than Engineering, Business, Administration (Grandes Ecoles)

Study in France? http://www.edufrance.fr/ infos for foreigners
French Cultural Services of the French Embassy:http://www. frenchculture.org/
Further reading: "Everything about French education "sites (click on English options)
Magazine: Label France no41 on education and the internet.http://www.france.diplomatie.fr/label_france/label.gb.html
Ministry of Education  http://www.education.gouv.fr
French cultural services of Embassy: http://www.frenchculture.org/education/france/index.html )i
EduFrance(student exchanges): www.edufrance.fr
Educnet: information technology and distance learning:www.educnet.education.fr
Distance learning center: www.cned.fr
• Le Rond-Point : on-line university courses:http://rond-point.org/cours
•Europedu : promotion of European student mobility: www.sup.adc.education.fr/europedu/french/index.html
• Télésavoirs: topics on the internet (e.g. art) (www.canalweb.net)
• Cyber Papy: intergeneration on-line help (www.cyberpapy.com)
- L'Université de tous les savoirs(366 courses on all human knowledge/interactive)(www.2000enfrance.com/sites/utls)
• Savoir universel : interactive writing project with writers e.g. Furio Colombo, Umberto Eco et Jacques Le Goff, l'Académie, (www.academie-universelle.asso.fr) :title" Accepting diversity"