A permanent installation
Installed near a specially designed flowering meadow, each of these chairs embodies the unique identity of a house on the campus, through an engraved pattern inspired by the building’s architecture and a chosen quote from an alumnus, an alumna, or a notable figure associated with the house. Each chair has its own identity, engraved in metal like a silent story. Oriented in all directions and toward one another, they create a space conducive to encounters, faithful to the spirit of conviviality and dialogue that has animated the Cité Internationale for a century.
A meaningful project
At the heart of the park of the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris, at the far end of its emblematic great lawn, forty-seven chairs are gathered and arranged, seemingly without order. In reality, each of them adopts a very precise orientation and a unique perspective – a celebration of curiosity, creativity, diversity, and personal experimentation.
Each chair bears on its backrest an original motif, drawing inspiration from the culture, history, and architecture of the house it represents. These icons — whether a logo, a flower, a national symbol, or a remarkable architectural detail — embody a singular identity, engraved in metal like a silent narrative. The motif is delicately framed by arc segments taken from a large circle, inviting the gaze to slow down, to contemplate, to discover the image in all its subtlety.
The seat itself is perforated with a quotation chosen from the words of an author who has either marked the history of the house or lived at the Cité Internationale. This vibrant, lively, and abundant place has welcomed poets, novelists, politicians, sociologists, philosophers, painters, photographers, and administrators — figures who have all helped to shape our world.
Finally, each chair occupies a unique position, oriented in its own direction, offering the ensemble a peripheral vision open to the surrounding world. Each chair is set at a precise angle within the 360 degrees of the circle. Thus, forty-seven chairs and forty-eight intervals of 7.5 degrees form the complete circle. Chair number 33, for instance, is turned to (33 x 7.5), that is 247.5 degrees relative to north. The chairs are numbered in alphabetical order according to the names of the houses.
Whether in a debate, a conversation among friends, or a personal choice, taking a stand reflects our commitment and our ability to defend what we believe in. And always with respect for others, since we all share the space equally.
There is more a sense of vigilance and responsibility here than of dialogue. The latter takes shape somewhat amid apparent chaos or disorder, yet with a little effort it becomes easy to sustain a conversation with one’s neighbours. It is essential to know how to take a stand. This means asserting one’s ideas, even in the face of opposition. Whether in a debate, a discussion among friends, or a personal choice, taking a position reveals our commitment and our ability to defend what we believe in. And always with respect for others, since we all share the space equally.
These chairs are not mere pieces of furniture scattered in a garden. They are messengers of a dialogue between past, present, and future. This commemorative work celebrates the centenary of the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris and highlights the values of fellowship and exchange that have inspired the campus since its creation. It is a gift from the Maison des Étudiants Canadiens, made possible through the financial support of the Groupe Labrenne.
Here, to sit down is to enter a living assembly, where every exchanged glance becomes an open door to others, to elsewhere, and to new discoveries.
Prendre position by Michel Goulet
The creation of a green space
The grounds team of the Cité Internationale envisioned a green setting to host the chair-poems. The project completes the long perspective between the Maison Internationale and the footbridge leading to the Sacré-Cœur Church of Gentilly. With its linear form, the installation fits precisely within the site’s axis, highlighting the depth of the landscape.
Around the chair-poems, a flowering meadow has been created as a scenic backdrop, in the heart of which sunflowers emerge alongside delicate cosmos, bluish cornflowers, and fragrant sage. Each plant adds its unique touch, creating a landscape that is both soothing and vibrant. This natural curtain provides visual relief while enhancing the sense of intimacy and calm.
The Chair-Poems Gallery
Each house on the Cité Internationale campus has its own chair. Each one is different, featuring a quote on the seat and a backrest designed to reflect the architecture of the house. A unique piece.
