The article examines the relationship between higher education and the public good in France. It draws on interviews conducted with staff across four French universities as part of a larger international comparative project. We argue that the 'Republican model' is strongly underpinned by the notion of 'public service' which is itself guided by the idea of 'general interest'. The state is understood as playing a central role in the provision of the public service of higher education, guaranteeing fundamental research is funded and that all students, including the underprivileged, are catered for. At the same time, the state drives neoliberal reforms that threaten the model itself. We examine three recent reforms: "Parcoursup," "Bienvenue en France" and the "Loi de Programmation Recherche" in light of these findings.