Sacy, known for his expertise in Arabic and Persian, attracted a great number of students from all over Europe to Paris. Alongside fellow scholars, he co-founded the Société asiatique, serving as its inaugural president. Among his notable students were early pioneers in Indology such as Chézy, Garcin de Tassy, Bopp, Kosegarten, Mitscherlich, Vullers, Mohl, Quatremère, and Reinaud. While primarily focused on Arabic and Persian studies, Sacy also maintained an interest in India. His significant accomplishment came in 1814 when the king Louis XVIII sanctioned the establishment of Sanskrit and Chinese chairs at the Collège de France.