This institution, dedicated to mathematics and theoretical physics, has hosted the Bourbaki Seminar since the 1950s—a seminar with a well-known influence on the development of 20th-century mathematics—and later Bourbaphy, its counterpart in physics.
Following a reorganization in the 1990s, the institute became a center for scholarly exchange and knowledge sharing, affiliated with Sorbonne-Université and the CNRS. From 2009 to 2017, it was headed by Cédric Villani and his deputy, theoretical physicist Jean-Philippe Uzan. Since 2018, its director has been mathematician Sylvie Benzoni. Today, it hosts theoretical programs, specialist seminars and doctoral training.
Through the Annales de l’Institut Henri-Poincaré, the institute also publishes papers by leading scientists. It is involved in various events as well, including the "Une question, un chercheur" lecture series for students and the "Univers convergents" film club for the general public, which is expected to end in 2022. Its unique collection of mathematical models is known worldwide. Its popular-science podcast, "L’oreille mathématique", is well worth a listen!
Opposite the institute, the Maison Poincaré—a project launched by Cédric Villani and scheduled to open in 2022—will be a true "house of mathematics" open to everyone.
