The Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales (INALCO) is located in Paris, France. It was founded in 1795 under the French Revolution and is now one of the country's Grands établissements. It is specialised in Eastern languages and civilisations. It is often colloquially called Langues O (pronounced "lang-zo"), an abbreviation for "Langues Orientales". Over 90 languages are taught at the INALCO, covering Asian, African, eastern European, South Pacific, Finno-Ugric and native American languages. The INALCO is the French partner of the British SOAS which now teaches mainly Asian and African languages.

INALCO offers beginner classes as well as Master and PhD courses.

Famous Alumni and Staff

• Léon Gontran Damas
• Edgar Faure
• Pierre Messmer
• Patrick Poivre d'Arvor
• Henri de Laborde de Monpezat (Prince Henrik of Denmark)
• Étienne Decaux
• Henri Grappin
• Alain Guillermou
• Jean-Jacques Origas
• Aurélien Sauvageot

External links

• INALCO website

Grandes écoles Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales