FRENCH PROVINCES HOUSE

Initial funding to build French Provinces Houses came from US donor Murry Guggenheim and another anonymous benefactor from Mulhouse. Both were keen to build a Cité Internationale residence for students from Alsace, which had reverted to France in 1918. The House was finally built thanks to additional funding from public and private donors (largely from a number of French cities and departments) and was given a broader remit to host students from all over France—today, it also provides accommodation for overseas students through a number of partnerships. When it was opened, in June 1933, French Provinces House was the largest residence at the Cité Internationale, with 320 rooms.

French Provinces House was designed by Château de Versailles chief architect Armand Gueritte. Despite the residence’s many rooms, Gueritte successfully avoided a “barracks” feel through an elegant—and impressive—brick design. The House’s U-shape features two arcades and a facade crowned with the 36 coats of arms of the French Provinces. Connected to the Armenia and Monaco residences by two covered passages, French Provinces House overlooks the Cité Internationale’s western parkland. Inside, a suite of lounge areas reflects four regional designs, from Alsace, Provence, Normandy and Burgundy.

70 years after it was founded, French Provinces House was in need of a facelift. Comprehensive restoration work began in 2003 under the watchful eye of architect Daniel Kahane. The building was brought into line with the latest safety standards and a number of features were added to enhance interior comfort. Accommodation capacity was also increased, with the addition of new rooms. Design agency Idéo and Sabine Kranz created new furniture in solid wood. Four “historical” rooms were also refitted to retain examples of the original interior, designed by well-known names such as Jallot, Printz, Ruhlmann and Vinay.