Les membres de l'École française d'Athénes. Une élite universitaire au service de l'État (XIXe-XXe siècle)

The “École Française d’Athénes” is a cultural institution which had played an important role in the prestige of French policy in the East Mediterranean. It was founded in 1846 as a result of romantic nationalism and a new interest of Greek antiquities. A young elite of French scholars studied there at the same time that they contributed to the French foreign interests. It was also a first stage previous to initiate their career at university or at the State political affairs.