An open-air showcase of architecture
A true invitation to travel, the 47 houses of the Cité Internationale showcase an astonishing array of styles from regionalist, classical, modern, international tosustainable reflecting either the architectural traditions of their countries of origin or the concerns of their time. Designed by renowned architects, they make this campus a landmark of architecture in Paris.
A crossroads of styles from around the world
Set within a 34-hectare park, the houses of the Cité Internationale form an architectural collection that features masterpieces by major figures such as Bechmann, Le Corbusier, Dudok, Parent, and more recently the agencies Lipsky + Rollet, Baumschlager Eberle and the Chinese studio Feichang Jianzhu (FCJZ). Added to these are timeless buildings that proudly embrace a local style, asserting a national identity. The Houses of Southeast Asia, Japan, Armenian Students, the Fondation Abreu de Grancher and the Hellenic Foundation all display hallmarks of often age-old architectural traditions, evoking Annamite architecture, adopting Japanese decor, drawing inspiration from Armenian monasteries, Spanish colonial architecture or Greek classicism.
These examples bear witness to a time when traditional representations and contemporary expressions flourished side by side in a shared creative impulse. The Cité internationale perfectly illustrates this interplay of multiple influences. Carved or engraved decorations, murals, frescoes, tapestries, sculptures and furnishings are all forms of expression and symbols that celebrate the continuity or renewal of a culture.
Three phases of construction
After the first house was inaugurated in 1925—the Fondation Deutsch de la Meurthe—construction accelerated. This initial phase of building was marked by a coexistence of various architectural styles. In less than 15 years, 21 houses were built on the campus.
Despite the severe blow dealt by World War II, pacifist ideals remained as relevant as ever. A restored heritage and 17 new houses made it possible to accommodate up to 5,500 students. It was a time of expansion for the Cité Universitaire.
With Cité 2025, the new houses built since 2013 reflect the ecological concerns emblematic of our time. They aim for architectural excellence, like all the houses on the campus, and their placement within this heritage site takes into account the existing landscape quality.
