Ecole nationale superieure des mines de Paris

Mines ParisTech was created in 1783 by King Louis XVI in order to train intelligent directors of mines. It is one of the most prominent French engineering schools(i.e. Grandes écoles) and a prestigious member of ParisTech (Paris Institute of Technology). Despite its small size (fewer than 120 students accepted each year after a very selective exam), it is a crucial part of the infrastructure of French industry.