Supervised by the Minister for Higher Education, the Cnam is a Public Scientific, Cultural and Professional Institution, classed as a grand établissement, among France's top higher education establishments.

It was created in 1794, during the French Revolution, on the location of a medieval monastery, the royal abbey of Saint-Martin des Champs. Nowadays, thanks to its integrated network, the Cnam spreads higher adult education and life-long training, in France and abroad.

According to its motto "Docet omnes ubique", Cnam aims at teaching everyone everywhere... The Cnam network allows everyone to learn wherever and whenever they like, combining work with training. The mission of regional centers is to meet the training expectations of their environment. They collaborate with local players: businesses, professional organisations, regional authorities, universities, employment agencies, information and guidance centres, etc. With the development of life-long learning in Europe and throughout the world, the Cnam has established itself as a benchmark institution.