A century-old campus

Sponsored by Dany Laferrière, writer and member of the Académie française, this special edition, “Echoes of Peace”, led by the Maison des étudiants canadiens, explored poetry as a space for dialogue, reconciliation, and solidarity between cultures, through poetry readings, slam, performances, and workshops. Full program

Organized under the initiative of the Fondation Deutsch de la Meurthe, the conference highlighted the connections between the Cité internationale’s architectural heritage and contemporary academic projects, with a special focus on the foundational work of architect Lucien Bechmann. Find out more

Led by the Maison de l’Île-de-France, this open-air, participatory, and evolving exhibition, inspired by Yona Friedman’s mobile architecture, showcased works, activities, and initiatives from everyone using steel hoops. A cultural program combining art, debates, social practices, and reflections on ecology, health, and the identity of the Cité internationale complemented the offerings of this museum without walls, doors, or roof. Find out more

Through guided tours of various sports facilities—such as the swimming pool at the Maison Internationale, the gymnasium at the Maison des élèves ingénieurs Arts et Métiers, and the tennis courts – visitors were able to discover the unifying role of sport on campus and awaken their own sporting spirit.

Maud Louvrier Clerc’s exhibition, organized under the initiative of the Maison de Norvège, offered a snapshot of the campus residents’ state of mind through their soul portraits. Residents shared intertwined testimonies, creating a mosaic of stories, emotions, and worldviews. Find out more

This 8th special edition for the centenary featured five ephemeral landscape creations interacting with the campus’s architecture and gardens. Through a poetic and botanical stroll, these works, designed by emerging talents, invited the public to reflect on life, sustainable development, and cultural blending. © Yann Monel | Find out more

The Fête de la Cité returned with a festival of events from all walks of life, inspired by the campus’s centenary. The celebration emphasized sharing, fraternity, and community living, staying true to the humanist values of the Cité internationale. The highlight was the centenary race, featuring pedal cars decorated in the colors of the campus houses. Find out more

A ceremony was held to pay tribute to André Honnorat, attended by delegations from the Vallée de l’Ubaye Serre-Ponçon community and the town hall of Barcelonnette.

Continuing the film series dedicated to peace, this documentary follows five teenagers in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine on the eve of the 2022 Russian invasion. Despite threats and uncertainty, they live, laugh, dream, and refuse to give in to fear. When offered an expedition to the Himalayas, a new opening appears in their daily lives—a poetic escape toward a possible future. Find out more

Initiated by the Fondation Lucien Paye, this forum focused on “Reinventing higher education: strengthening partnerships for a sustainable future.” It brought together higher education stakeholders from Africa and France to discuss the challenges and opportunities related to the internationalization of the sector. Find out more

Organized under the initiative of the Fondation Lucien Paye, this conference offered a journey through the experiences, struggles, and memories of African students in France. Researchers, artists, writers, and students shared their perspectives to shed light on past and present challenges. The event also featured photographic and film archives, as well as the short film Le retour des femmes colibris, which encourages reflection on overlooked histories. Find out more

The Cité internationale invited the public to a sensory, musical, and immersive experience. The park became the stage for an open-air light and sound trail, combining monumental works, video mapping, interactive installations, and augmented reality, for a truly poetic journey. Guided tours and storytelling sessions for children also offered a different way to discover this unique place, set in the heart of nature. Find out more

The Cité internationale celebrated the Fête de la Musique with a major festive event, blending electronic and world music. DJ sets and world music concerts followed one another on the main lawn. A lively, sunny, and dance-filled program that kept the park buzzing late into the night and attracted 15,000 people. Find out more

France Alumni Day brought together the international community of graduates from French higher education for a day dedicated to talented individuals committed to addressing major contemporary challenges. The event featured a job fair, conferences led by alumni, and an awards evening celebrating inspiring career paths.

This conference paid tribute to Albert Laprade, one of the most iconic architects of the campus and the designer of four of its buildings, distinguished by his vision of architecture as both functional and symbolic, conceived for communal living. A unique figure of the 20th century, his work defies conventional categorization. Organized under the initiative of the Fondation Lucien Paye and the Maison du Maroc. Find out more

This roundtable, organized by the Fondation Suisse, explored the relationship between interior architecture and communal living at the Cité internationale, analyzing the architectural choices of the countries represented. It highlighted, through cultural influences and the interactions between living and social spaces, the values and developments that have shaped this unique campus. Find out more

As part of the European Heritage Days, the Cité internationale celebrated its heritage with a rich program of meetings, conferences, guided tours, concerts, screenings, and exhibitions. An event that delighted architecture enthusiasts and visitors seeking beauty and unique discoveries. Full program

The Fondation Hellénique invited its residents to imagine the ideal Cité through a contest open to all forms of dreams and proposals. Ten projects, created by residents or alumni from several campus houses, were selected to form a unique participatory exhibition. Find out more

Continuing the film series dedicated to peace, this documentary explores the war in Libya, where a brother and sister passionately join the 2011 revolution but end up on opposing sides. The film follows their struggle and resilience over six years. Find out more

Continuing the film series dedicated to peace, this British documentary follows investigators from the organization Hope Not Hate as they infiltrate far-right groups in the United Kingdom and Europe. Using hidden cameras, the teams expose hateful rhetoric, connections with Silicon Valley donors interested in “race science,” and strategies aimed at normalizing extremism. Find out more

Organized under the initiative of the Maison Heinrich Heine, these two days of rich exchange explored European perspectives on university cooperation in a multipolar world. The program included roundtables on international mobility, combating misinformation, and democratic challenges, as well as a science slam, presentations, and testimonials, notably from alumni. Find out more

Zhang Zhang, first violin of the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra (OPMC 2000–2024) and soloist at the Royal Opera of Versailles, gave an exceptional concert for peace thanks to the Monaco Foundation. Accompanied by guitarist Leopoldo Giannola, she offered an evening of music in harmony with the centenary of the Cité internationale, featuring the special participation of her brother Leo Zhang, an internationally renowned cellist. Interview

This second conference in the series, organized by the Collège d’espagne, addressed the crucial question of the economic model of the Cité internationale. The meeting, followed by a debate, focused on the theme: how can sustainable funding be ensured for this one-of-a-kind campus?. Find out more

alongside the film series dedicated to peace, campus residents were able to present a selection of short films they had created on the same theme. through their experimental approaches to technique and storytelling, each screened short film stood out for its bold use of creativity as a weapon. Find out more

On the occasion of the national architecture days, organized by the ministry of culture, the Fondation Avicenne and the Résidence Julie-Victoire Daubié were presented by their own architects, respectively Jean-André Macchini (Agence Béguin & Macchini) and Alexandre Thériot (Agence Bruther). 

The theme of this new edition, “Dialogue to Build Peace | Science, Arts, and Civil Society Confronting the World’s Divisions,” provided an opportunity to rethink the contemporary challenges of peace, notably through the presence of Oleksandra Matviïtchouk, Nobel Peace Prize 2022, who offered a committed and ethical perspective on peacebuilding. Under the initiative of the Maison Heinrich Heine. Interview

A tribute to Rector Paul Appell, a founding and inspiring figure of the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris, was organized in collaboration with the Society of Members of the Legion of Honour.

Directors of houses, partners, staff, alumni, and residents gathered at the Fondation Biermans-Lapôtre to collaboratively draft the Centenary Declaration.

The aim of this scientific seminar, initiated by the Fondation hellénique, was to explore the messages that the Cité internationale, both as a place and as a community, can convey today for humanity. Over two days, debates, lectures, and site visits brought together international experts to examine the significance, messages, and future of this exceptional tangible and intangible heritage, in partnership with the UNESCO Chair in Culture, Tourism, and Development at the University of Panthéon-Sorbonne.

The centenary year concluded with a festive and convivial evening, featuring speeches, testimonials, commitments, and artistic performances. The event also included the presentation of the Centenary Declaration, which expresses a strong conviction: in a world marked by tensions and divisions, the Cité Internationale remains a unique place where cultural dialogue, the exchange of knowledge, and the building of a shared future are actively practiced. Read the Declaration