Groupe des Ecoles des Mines - History and traditions

Founded to accompany the first Industrial Revolution, the first Ecole des Mines was founded by King Louis 16^th on March 17^th 1783 as the Ecole Royale des Mines de Paris at a time when mining technology was paramount for industrial development. The aim was to form experts in theoretical and scientific areas while remaining close to the realities of the field.

Since then six other Ecoles des Mines have been created over a period of more than two centuries to accompany the different steps of industrial and technological progress.

Throughout their history, the schools have naturally expanded their original fields of expertise to all aspects of industrial and economic life. The GEM develops and teaches a broad range of sciences and techniques, including economic and social sciences and the very latest cutting edge technologies.

The GEM philosophy can be summed up by the motto of the Ecole des Mines de Paris, "Théorie et Pratique", or Theory and Practice.

Unlike most engineering schools in France, the GEM schools are directly administered by the Ministry of Industry  and, as such, are firmly anchored in the economic and especially the corporate world.