After the first wave of emigration caused by the 1917 revolution, eight higher educational institutions appeared in Paris. They became important scientific centers, providing education to almost the entire Russian diaspora.

One of the first was the Russian departments at the University of Paris, which began operations in 1921. More than forty Russian professors taught here. There were law and historical-philological departments, as well as free courses in biology, zoology, anatomy, chemistry, and geology. All these departments existed until 1941, and after the war, only the physics-mathematics department continued to operate.

In second place was the Franco-Russian Institute, a higher school of social, political, and legal sciences, founded in 1925. Its diplomas were recognized as equivalent to those from French faculties.

The third institution was the Orthodox Theological Institute, opened in 1925 at the Sergiev Courtyard in Paris.

The fourth higher school was the People's University with a music school and a number of courses, which began operations in 1921. Lectures on Russian culture were held here, educational excursions took place, and a public library operated.

The Russian Commercial Institute trained specialists for work in the economic sphere, as well as in industrial, trade, and credit institutions.

The Russian Polytechnic Institute, opened in 1920, had three departments: Polish, Russian, and Yugoslav. It trained engineers in electrical engineering and civil construction.

The Russian Higher Technical Institute started with distance learning courses in 1921, which were transformed into a full-fledged higher educational institution in 1931. The institute operated until 1962.

The Russian Scientific Institute, founded in 1953, held a special position but existed only until 1961.

Musical education could be obtained at the S.V. Rachmaninoff Conservatory, which was managed by the Russian Musical Society abroad.