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, 19 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
Houses listed or registered
as Historic Monuments
Designed by Lucio Costa and Le Corbusier and inaugurated in 1959, the Maison du Brésil was listed as a historical monument on the 4th of November 2011.
The Fondation Avicenne was designed by Claude Parent, André Bloc, Mossem Foroughi and Hedar Ghiai and inaugurated in 1969 and listed as a historical monument on the 29th of October 2008 (building, footprint and landscape).
The only creation of Willem Marinus Dudok in France, the Collège néerlandais, inaugurated in 1938, was classed as a historical monument on the 4th of March 2005.
The Fondation Emile et Louise Deutsch de la Meurthe, designed by Lucien Bechmann and inaugurated in 1925, was included as a historical monument on the 19th of May 1998: the entrance hall, the reception hall (the large lounge), the enclosure and the roofs of the 7 pavilions that make up the Fondation as well as the garden and paved terraces. Since February 2024, the entire central pavilion has been listed.
Designed by Le Corbusier in 1933, the Fondation Suisse was classed as a historical monument on the 16th of December 1986. Elements designed by Le Corbusier were also classed as such: the mural in the large lounge, a bench, 10 armchairs, the bench in the vestibule on the first floor and the bench on the staircase landing.
The great architects of the Cité Internationale
Albert Laprade (1883–1978) holds a unique place in the French architectural landscape of the 20th century. However, it is at the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris that he left one of his most lasting marks, notably with the construction of the Fondation Abreu de Grancher.
Lucien Adolphe Bechmann (1880–1968) was a major French architect of the 20th century, whose work combined tradition and modernity with great technical precision. After the First World War, Bechmann played a key role in the creation of the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris.
Known as a renowned architect of the 20th century, Le Corbusier left a legacy that remains influential today. Born in Switzerland in 1887, he trained as an engraver and chaser at an art school before entering the watchmaking industry, following his family’s footsteps. He later abandoned this career to become an architect.
Podcast : les murs parlent
The Cité internationale also reveals itself through its audio content. Immerse yourself in a spatial and temporal sound journey that tells the story of the iconic architects who left their mark on this campus.
Iconic design at the Cité Internationale
Throughout the 20th century, another language took shape at the heart of the Cité internationale universitaire de Paris: the language of design. From its very beginnings, the Cité internationale called upon visionary creators to imagine living spaces that were functional, aesthetic, and suited to a communal and international way of life. Each object tells a story, expressing a worldview where form follows function and comfort fosters community.
Discover our heritage center
Both an exhibition and documentation space, the Heritage Center invites you to explore the history and current developments of the Cité internationale. Guided tours are organized year-round for groups and individuals by reservation.
