The school was founded in 1957 to train highly qualified engineers, support continuing education, and conduct research.

This cycle aims to provide INSA engineers with a wide range of skills and competencies, thus allowing them to redirect their careers independently of their initial specialization.

For the past ten years, INSA Lyon has been consistently the most desired Engineering school by French high school students who express their wishes through a national portal [2] [3] The second cycle lasts 3 years and trains students in 9 departments of engineering: INSA Lyon has a policy of encouraging international education.

It runs on the basis of one or more training session per week and participates in the French University Championships Approximately one third of INSA students are licensed with the Sports Association.

François Gabart is a French professional offshore yacht racer who won the 7th Vendée Globe race in 2013 and established a new record.