The former Maison de l’Indochine
In 1930, a Maison de l’Indochine opened its doors at the Cité internationale. It had been established on the initiative of a committee composed mainly of French industrialists based in Southeast Asia. A product of the paternalistic spirit of colonial France at the time, it was intended to offer its young residents from Southeast Asia a synthesis of the culture and ideas of metropolitan France and Annamese traditions. In January 1972, the building was renamed the Maison des étudiants de l’Asie du Sud-Est. Since 2008, following a partnership agreement signed with the Cité internationale, the house has accommodated students from ParisTech, a consortium bringing together twelve leading French institutions in the fields of science, technology, and management.
The Maison des étudiants de l’Asie du Sud-Est is managed by the Cité internationale universitaire de Paris national foundation.
A building in an asian style
Two architects, Pierre Martin and Maurice Vieu, designed the building, which originally contained 100 rooms. They drew inspiration from Indochinese architectural traditions while respecting the Parisian building profile, as illustrated by the wide roof overhangs and the upturned roof corners in the shape of a “dove’s beak.” A garden occupies the central part of the building. The interior architecture likewise reflects this desire for synthesis, combining a European layout with an Oriental-inspired décor, as exemplified by the richly decorated grand salon. The staircase railing, for instance, was designed using a motif from the Imperial Palace in Hué. In the entrance hall, a monumental oil painting on canvas by the Vietnamese painter Lê Phô, La Maison familiale au Tonkin, completes this decorative ensemble.
A restored house
In 1998, the roofs and façades were restored. The interior spaces were renovated in 2007 by architects Dominique Pinon and Charlotte Pueyo. The work made it possible to increase the accommodation capacity and improve residents’ comfort. The rooms were equipped with private bathrooms and new, custom-designed furniture. A historic room was restored to its original appearance, and Lê Phô’s canvas painting was fully restored and installed in the entrance hall. The grand salon was renovated in 2014, and the garden in 2017.
Since its reopening in 2008, the rooms have been primarily reserved for ParisTech students, which contributed financially to the renovation. The Maison des Étudiants de l’Asie du Sud-Est has 131 accommodation units.
A famous alumnus
Prince Consort Henrik of Denmark, born Henri de Laborde de Monpezat, was a French diplomat. On June 10, 1967, he married Crown Princess Margrethe II of Denmark.
