WORLD WEBCERTIFIED ContactContact
REFERENCE DIRECTORY

Education and knowledge.
Find a useful starting point.

Study guidance, courses, libraries and open knowledge. Explore 30 selected destinations with their publisher and official domain.

Browse 30 reference websites All subjects
An open book and notebook in a library
An open book and notebook in a library. Illustration generated with AI · Fictional scene.
A DIRECTORY WITH CONTEXT

Education and knowledge.
30 selected websites.

Study guidance, courses, libraries and open knowledge. Each listed website retains its own publisher and official destination. Read the individual records in English or switch to their French counterpart.

Compare two or three resources →

EXPLORE BY NEED

Choose a subject.
Then narrow the question.

Browse each subject, compare the resources and open an English record with publisher details and practical checks.

14 websites · bilingual records

Public services

Rights, official procedures, public data and French institutions.

Explore this subject 14 websites · bilingual records

Health and solidarity

Health information, prevention, care and support resources.

Explore this subject 14 websites · bilingual records

Jobs and business

Careers, job search, training, business creation and management.

Explore this subject 30 websites · bilingual records

Education and knowledge

Study guidance, courses, libraries and open knowledge.

Explore this subject 17 websites · bilingual records

News and media

General news, public broadcasting and media literacy.

Explore this subject 14 websites · bilingual records

Culture and heritage

Museums, archives, creative work, events and cultural heritage.

Explore this subject 22 websites · bilingual records

Search and artificial intelligence

Search engines, AI assistants and research tools.

Explore this subject 40 websites · bilingual records

Digital tools

Web standards, software, development, archives and secure communication.

Explore this subject 13 websites · bilingual records

Travel and mobility

Transport, maps, destinations and journey planning.

Explore this subject 15 websites · bilingual records

Consumer and home

Purchases, energy, housing, renovation and consumer protection.

Explore this subject 17 websites · bilingual records

Science and environment

Scientific research, climate, weather, geography and natural risks.

Explore this subject 12 websites · bilingual records

World and international

International institutions, global data and cooperation.

Explore this subject 10 websites · bilingual records

Sport and leisure

Sports organisations, competitions and outdoor activities.

Explore this subject
SELECTED SUBJECT

Education and knowledge: 30 websites.

Study guidance, courses, libraries and open knowledge. Each record identifies its publisher and official destination, with related resources and practical checks.

View all 232 websites →

Education and knowledge · International

DOI Foundation

DOI Foundation

DOI system documentation, reference handbook and agency information for understanding persistent identifiers.

Read the record →Visit doi.org ↗
Education and knowledge · France

Gallica

Bibliothèque nationale de France

French national library's digital collection of books, images, maps, newspapers and other documents.

Read the record →Visit gallica.bnf.fr ↗
Education and knowledge · France

Lumni

Audiovisuel public et partenaires éducatifs

Free educational videos and resources for learners, teachers and educators.

Read the record →Visit lumni.fr ↗
Education and knowledge · France

Persée

Université de Lyon, CNRS et partenaires

Scholarly publications, chiefly in the humanities and social sciences.

Read the record →Visit persee.fr ↗
Education and knowledge · International

Research Organization Registry (ROR)

Research Organization Registry

An open registry of research and funding organisation identifiers, with records, search, API and exports for matching affiliations.

Read the record →Visit ror.org ↗
Education and knowledge · International

Retraction Watch — base et guide

The Center for Scientific Integrity / Crossref (base)

A guide to searching the Retraction Watch database for retractions, understanding fields and finding notices associated with a paper.

Read the record →Visit retractionwatch.com ↗
Education and knowledge · Anguilla

Small Whale

Cyans

Free English-language encyclopedia for young readers, with AI-generated adaptations of Wikipedia and three advertised reading levels.

Read the record →Visit smallwhale.org ↗
Education and knowledge · International

Wikidata

Wikimedia Foundation et contributeurs

Collaborative knowledge base connecting entities, identifiers and sourced statements.

Read the record →Visit wikidata.org ↗
Education and knowledge · International

Wikipédia en français

Wikimedia Foundation et communauté contributrice

French collaborative encyclopaedia for initial research and following cited sources.

Read the record →Visit fr.wikipedia.org ↗
Another website in our network

Continue with a specialist resource

These websites belong to our network. Each has its own editorial scope; check its current information before relying on it.

France LibrairiesBookshop directory searchable by town, name or speciality.france-librairies.fr Édition Livre FranceGuidance for finding a publisher and preparing a manuscript submission.www.edition-livre-france.fr
Decision aids

Work, edition, format and copy: four different levels

An ISBN identifies a publication in a particular edition and format. Match the identifier to the record and the document actually used.

  1. Identify the edition
  2. Compare the format
  3. Check the individual copy
Work, edition, format and copy: four different levels
SituationWhat changesUseful check
Same title, different translationA shared title does not identify the required text.Record translator, language, publisher and edition.
Print and EPUBDifferent product forms receive different ISBNs.Do not automatically transfer pagination between formats.
Well-formed ISBNThe check digit helps detect errors in the number.Check the record: the digit establishes neither assignment nor availability.

A cover does not replace the title page and edition details. For a loan or purchase, also check the volume, condition and availability with its holder.

Documentation : International ISBN Agency — What is an ISBN? ↗ · · Read the reference record →

From a resource to usable evidence

Build a verifiable documentary reference

The identifier, record and text you read should match. Metadata helps locate a document but does not establish that its conclusion supports your argument.

Choose the date that answers your question

A publication date does not necessarily describe when a Crossref record first arrived.

A question to resolve: An old article receives a metadata correction today. Should it count as a new publication?

Read the documented table and worked explanation →

Read a link’s bibliographic level

An Open Library address path helps distinguish a work from an edition.

A question to resolve: A /works/ link lists several translations. Does it establish your cited page?

Read the documented table and worked explanation →

Choose the evidence for your task
TaskInformation to retainStarting point
Identify a publicationTitle, authors, DOI, dateCrossref
Read a deposited versionFile, version, deposit, licenceHAL
Distinguish an authorIdentifier, affiliation, attributed worksORCID
Identify an organisationIdentifier, names, location and record linksResearch Organization Registry (ROR)
Check a paper’s statusDOI or PMID, original notice and check dateRetraction Watch — base et guide
Find an explanation’s sourceArticle, references and versionWikipédia en français
Check a calculationInterpreted input, units and assumptionsWolframAlpha
A record worth keeping

Keep the version actually read, relevant pages or passages and record URL. For learning materials, also record the level, prerequisites and usage conditions.

Build a bibliography readers can retrieve

You are collecting courses, papers and documents. Keep the information needed to locate the exact version consulted.

  1. Identify the document

    Record author, title, date, publisher or repository and identifier where available.

  2. Compare versions

    Distinguish preprint, published paper and other editions. Keep the version supporting your argument.

  3. Review the citation

    Check exported fields and record the page or passage used. Imported references can have missing fields.

Useful output

A bibliography with identifiers, versions, verified passages and access links.

A search engine locating a document does not validate its contents.

Does a DOI guarantee scientific quality?

It supports identification and links to a record. Check methods, publication status, corrections and the actual content separately.

Are deposited and published versions identical?

Not necessarily. Compare versions, tables and pagination before quoting.

Are a computed result and document reference equivalent?

No. Calculations require assumptions; documentary claims require supporting sources.

Put these resources to work

Follow a complete task with sources, checks and a record to keep.

Build a verifiable bibliography

Connect the question, document versions, identifiers and inclusion criteria without confusing discovery with reading.

Follow the pathway →Find and reuse a heritage document

Move from an image or title to an identified record, edition, file and rights statement.

Follow the pathway →Guide a child’s web research

Organise a short question, two readable sources, advertisement recognition and an easy way to ask for help.

Follow the pathway →

All task pathways →

Which website for which need?

Four concrete starting points.

These resources answer different questions. Match one to your task, then make the suggested check before relying on its result.

Parcoursup

Prepare an undergraduate application

Read courses, expectations and admissions steps on the national platform.

Check first Check the current calendar and each course’s requirements.

Find Parcoursup →
Gallica

Find a digitised heritage document

Search the French national library’s digitised books, maps and newspapers.

Check first Record the catalogue entry, edition and reuse terms.

Find Gallica →
Directory of Open Access Journals

Find an open access journal

Browse journals by discipline and read their editorial records.

Check first Check the particular journal and article before citing.

Find Directory of Open Access Journals →
Crossref

Check a scholarly reference

Use metadata and a DOI to locate the published work.

Check first Compare authors, title, date and version with the reference you received.

Find Crossref →
Similar names, different purposes

Choose by the document or action you need.

These comparisons show when two resources in the same subject answer different questions.

Bibliographic record or readable text?

Crossref helps identify a publication and DOI; HAL may provide an author-deposited version. Match title, authors, version and date before citing the text you actually read.

Crossref ↓HAL ↓

Researcher or publication?

ORCID helps distinguish researchers; OpenAlex links works, authors and institutions through metadata. Check attribution in the original publication when names are shared.

ORCID ↓OpenAlex ↓
FOUR USEFUL CHECKS

From a category
to the right destination.

The portal gives you context before the external click. Current conditions and sensitive instructions must still be confirmed with the destination publisher.

  1. 01
    Choose a subject

    Start with the category that matches your practical need rather than the name of a platform.

  2. 02
    Read the record

    Use the publisher, description, country and topic tags to understand what the resource covers.

  3. 03
    Check the destination

    Confirm that the external domain matches the publisher and service you intended to reach.

  4. 04
    Verify changing details

    Review current dates, prices, availability, terms and sensitive instructions on the destination website.

QUESTIONS

Useful scope.
Clear limits.

What is included in the World Web Certified directory?

The directory contains 232 useful starting-point websites across 13 subjects, including public services, health, education, media, culture, search, digital tools, travel, consumer information, science and sport.

Are directory entries certifications or rankings?

No. Inclusion is an editorial orientation choice, not a technical certification, commercial ranking or guarantee covering every page and service on the external website.

Are the individual records available in English?

Yes. Every directory record has an English page with a description, publisher, official destination, a specific use case and practical checks. Use the language menu to open its French counterpart.

How should I verify an important destination?

Check the domain, publisher and purpose described in the record, then confirm current terms, dates and sensitive information on the destination website before acting.

How can I report an error in a record?

Use the Contact page and provide the relevant URL, the inaccurate passage and a supporting source when possible.