The University of Valence was founded 26 July 1452, by letters patent from the Dauphin Louis, afterwards Louis XI of France, in a move to develop the city of Valence, then part of his domain of Dauphiné.
In February 1541, the Canon Pierre Morel opened a college for thirteen poor students.
In the 16th century, Valence was famous for its teaching of law, entrusted to Italian professors or to those who had studied in Italy.
It was at the instigation of Hotman that Bishop Jean de Monluc obtained from Charles IX of France the Edict of 8 April 1565, which united the University of Grenoble with Valence.
Hotman was a determined Protestant; Cujas passed from Protestantism to Catholicism, but it is doubtful if his conversion was inspired entirely from religious motives.