An open-air architectural exhibition
Regional, classic, modern or sustainable, the Cité internationale’s 47 houses offer a diversity of styles that are unique to Paris. The renowned architects that have contributed to the realisation of certain houses (Le Corbusier, Claude Parent, Willem Marinus Dudok, etc.) have made it a major architectural point in Paris today. Five of them are classed or listed as historical monuments.
An unexpected artistic universe
Places of creation and exhibitions of 20th and 21st-century art, the Cité internationale’s houses have paintings, sculptures and tapestries showing that the campus has always been a big source of inspiration for artists from around the world. From Foujita to Jacobsen via Perriand, discover the masterpieces of famous painters, sculptors and designers.
An iconic design heritage
Born in the first half of the 20th century, the Cité Internationale emerged at the same time as the golden age of design in France and Europe. This fortunate coincidence allowed it to gradually acquire unique design pieces over the years. Armchairs, lighting fixtures, and bookshelves were custom-designed to furnish the rooms and living spaces of the various houses within the Cité, blending functionality and elegance into the daily lives of the students.
An exceptional landscape heritage
The Cité internationale’s park is the second in Paris. Covering 34 hectares, it was developed in the 1930s by Jean Claude Nicolas Forestier, then Léon Azéma in coordination with the campus architect, Lucien Bechmann. A green lung in the south of Paris, it promotes the preservation of rare flora and fauna in inner city Paris thanks to its ecological management methods.
Our guided tours
Discover an exceptional heritage
To find out more about the history of the Cité internationale, its architecture, houses and its development, visit the Heritage Center: a permanent exhibition, themed tours and innovative digital media will transport you through time and space to discover this exceptional place
City 2025: a historic development
The Cité internationale is currently undergoing historic development. By 2025, it will have 10 new houses, i.e. 1,800 additional homes, and will have modernised its infrastructures and services. Discover the project and the new architectural achievements.
