An open-air showcase of architecture
Regionalist, classical, modern or sustainable, the houses of the Cité internationale display a diversity of styles unique in Paris. The renown of the architects who contributed to the design of some of these houses, including Bechmann, Le Corbusier, Dudok, Parent, and more recently the agencies Lipsky + Rollet, Baumschlager Eberle and the Chinese studio Feichang Jianzhu (FCJZ), has made this site a landmark of architecture in Paris. Five of these houses, along with one salon and its decor, are listed or registered as Historic Monuments, a testament to their exceptional heritage value.
An unexpected world of art
Places of creation and exhibition for 20th and 21st century art, the houses of the Cité Internationale are home to paintings, frescoes, friezes, tapestries and unique decorative works, all bearing witness to the inspiration this campus has long provided to artists from around the world. From Foujita to Jacobsen, via René Gaucher, Robert La Montagne Saint-Hubert and Lê Phô, discover works signed by some of the greatest artists.
An iconic design
Founded in the first half of the 20th century, during a period of architectural and artistic effervescence, the Cité Internationale continued to evolve just as the golden age of design was emerging in Europe from the 1950s onwards. This progression enabled it, over the decades, to acquire unique design pieces specially created to furnish the bedrooms and shared spaces of its houses — combining functionality with elegance.
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.
Discover our Heritage Centre
To learn more about the history of the Cité internationale, its architecture, its mission and its development, visit our Heritage Centre. Through a permanent exhibition, thematic tours and innovative digital tools, you’ll travel through time and space to discover this truly exceptional place.
Book a guided tour
Whether in a group or individually, take part in guided tours offered throughout the year to discover the architectural, artistic and landscaped heritage of the Cité internationale. Tours last around two hours. Those focusing on architecture and art include access to the interior spaces of three houses, each reflecting the cultural diversity of the campus. Advance booking is required.
