An internationally renowned astrophysicist, professor at the Collège de France, and elected president of the French Academy of Sciences for 2025-2026, Françoise Combes has dedicated her career at the Paris Observatory - PSL to exploring galaxies, cosmology, and understanding the fundamental mechanisms of the universe. For her outstanding contributions, she received the CNRS Gold Medal in 2020 and the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Award in 2021.
The rank of Commander of the Legion of Honor—one of the highest levels of France’s most prestigious decoration—recognizes not only scientific excellence, but also the considerable impact of her career on society, education, and the representation of women in science. This influence is also reflected in the field of education: in France, a high school now bears the name of Françoise Combes, a powerful symbol of the transmission of knowledge and inspiration offered to younger generations.
This distinction comes at a time when International Day of Women and Girls in Science continues to highlight the need to increase women’s participation in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) disciplines, a field in which they remain a minority despite visible progress.
At 73, Françoise Combes remains an inspiring role model for young women scientists, embodying both academic excellence and a commitment to greater diversity and equality in research.