Our history

UCLy: 148 years of history since its foundation in 1875

Founded in 1875, UCLy (Lyon Catholic University) combines respect for humanist values and openness to society.

1875 - Creation of Lyon Catholic University

Following the promulgation of the law on freedom of higher education of July 12, 1875, a group of Lyonnais jurists, under the protection of the bishops of the twenty five dioceses of the greater south-eastern area of France, decided to create a Catholic university at the end of the month of July 1875.

It developed in the heart of the city of Lyon on its peninsula, Place Bellecour .

This historic anchoring is a key element of UCLy’s identity and that of the city of Lyon.

At the impulse of the deputy, and then senator, Lucien Brun, Lyon Catholic University preceded its public counterparts by a few months when it opened the courses of the first Department of Law of Lyon on 25 November, 1875.

Création UCLy façade bellecour - Histoire UCLy

1875 - Foundation of the Department of Law

1877 - Foundation of the Department of Modern Languages and Literature and the Department Natural Sciences

1878 - Foundation of the Department of Theology

It became a Faculty in 1886.

1919 - The First Chemistry School Opens

It became The Institute of Chemistry and Industrial Physics (ICPI) and ESCPE in 1994

Etudiante au tableau cours de chimie - Histoire UCLy

1932 - Foundation of the Department of Philosophy

1939 - 1945 - The University Grows

The declaration of war came when the construction of new buildings had barely started. They would be completed in 1945, including:

• The construction of the main courtyard

• The construction of the Saint Irénée Chapel

• The establishment of a library, which today houses more than 200,000 books

• The setting up of science laboratories and classrooms on three floors

1940

The Inauguration of the Saint-Irénée Chapel

Rectangular in form with numerous stained glass windows, it was designed by painter and decorator Jean Coquet.

The apse represents a composition in five panels, called “Le poème de Saint Irénée”, inspired by the writings of the Bishop of Lyon.

1947

Creation of education and research institutes working on the major questions of contemporary society:

Family
Human rights
Local Developoment
Bioethics

1956 - Disciplinary and Geographic Expansion

From this point, new disciplines could be taught, such as philosophy and research on the major issues of contemporary society. It was in 1956 that the university opened on Place Bellecour at 25 rue de Plat.

1968

The Creation of ESTRI

Created in 1968, ESTRI – School of Translation and International Relations – supports students who are passionate about foreign languages and cultures and prepares them for internationally oriented professions in the following fields: translation, liaison interpretation, international communication, and intercultural and event management.

1974

The Creation of the ISF

Founded in 1974 by the lawyer Emma Gounot, the ISF – Institute for Family Sciences – is the only French institute offering multidisciplinary university training devoted to the family.

1975

The Creation of IFTLM

Founded in 1975, the IFTLM – Training Institute for Medical Laboratory Technicians – trains the medical laboratory technicians of today and tomorrow.

1985

Creation of the IDHL

Founded in 1985, IDHL is a higher education and research institute. Multiculturality and interculturality are strong values of the Institute of Human Rights – Lyon which welcomes students from all over the world every year.

1987

The Creation of ESDES

Founded in 1987, ESDES – Lyon Business School – trains responsible natives. They are smart, curious, committed students who have grown up to a positive impact on their environment. ESDES allows them to embrace their inital potential to become responsible managers. ESDES, the Business School of Lyon Catholic University offers a 5-year “Grande Ecole Programme” (EPAS accredited) and a 3-year Bachelor’s Degree.

1994

The Creation of ESQESE

Founded in 1994, ESQESE – School for Quality, Environment, Safety, and Health in Business – trains its students in a strategic and operational approach to QSE.

2005 - Lyon Catholic University settles on the Place Carnot site

A decisive first investment. The site then acquired modern equipment and today welcomes more than a third of the university's students, but does not cover all of its development needs.

Des étudiants de l'ILCF sur la passerelle du campus Carnot

2007 - UCLy joins the Lyon University group

UCLy is an associate member of the COMUE (community of universities and institutions) of Lyon and has been awarded the status of an EESPIG (public interest private higher education institution) by the French government.

2010 - UCLY repurposes the old Saint-Paul prison

UCLy seized the opportunity offered by the reconstruction of the Saint-Paul and Saint-Joseph prisons site, located at the Porte de la Confluence, by answering a state call for projects.

This global project, entitled “La vie grande ouverte”, was selected by the state in a decision which was made public in November 2010.

The architects Garbit & Blondeau, the Ory studio, and the urban planner Thierry Roche were chosen to restore the site.

Reconversion ancienne prison campus saint paul - Histoire UCLy

2015 - Opening of the second UCLy Campus in Lyon: Campus Saint-Paul

The old Saint-Paul prison has become a new campus for UCLy. On the islet of the former Saint-Joseph prison, 107 accommodation units are now located as well as 66 rental social housing units, an intergenerational residence with 110 apartments, local shops, restaurants and 11,300 m2 of office space.

Nouveau campus de saint paul - Histoire UCLy

Hall intérieur du campus Saint-Paul de jour

2015 - Launch of the UCLy Club

A meeting point between our university community, individuals, and businesses, the UCLy Club provides a space to discover a new perspective on the world. In 2018, the UCLy Club was renamed "UCLy Experts".

2020 - UCLy opens its third Campus in Annecy, the Campus Alpes Europe

UCLy is expanding once again by establishing a third campus in the heart of the city of Annecy, which opened its doors in September 2020.

Carried out in agreement with the Savoie Mont Blanc University, this project makes it possible to develop the Higher Education Programmes in Haute-Savoie, a particularly dynamic border region.