[1] CentraleSupélec is also considered to be among the best engineering schools of France and most elite institutions in Europe, with an admission rate of 6 to 8% in 2019.

[3] It is a key founding member of the Paris-Saclay University, the TIME (Top Industrial Managers for Europe) network and also the CESAER association of European engineering schools.

École Centrale Paris was founded in 1829 on a private initiative by Alphonse Lavallée, who financed its creation and became its first president, and three distinguished scientists: Eugène Peclet, Jean-Baptiste Dumas, and Théodore Olivier.

The founding vision was to promote the development of 'industrial science', or practical applications of recent major scientific discoveries, and to educate multidisciplinary engineers to lead the emerging industrial sector.

It was then relocated to Malakoff close to Porte de Vanves, and Gif-sur-Yvette in 1975, where the main campus is currently located.

Since 2008, École Centrale Paris and Supélec have participated in the creation of the campus of the Paris-Saclay research cluster.