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The Cité internationale universitaire of Paris was created in the pacifist context of the 1920s to support exchanges among students of the whole world. The story starts in 1920 when an important French industrialist, Emile DEUTSCH DE LA MEURTHE, wishing to create an enduring gift to society, contacted Paul APPELL, vice-chancellor of the University of Paris. Worried by the difficulties of students’ housing, Appell suggested to him founding a university residence. André HONNORAT, Minister for Public Education, approved of the project and devoted all his energy for nearly the next thirty years to its realization. |
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The first wave: nineteen houses in twelve years |
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As of October 1925, the first students were lodged in the Cité, thanks to the generosity of Émile DEUTSCH DE LA MEURTHE. The first phase of construction, which lasted until 1937, led to the construction of nineteen student residences and the International House, gift of John D. ROCKEFELLER Jr., which was completed in 1935. |
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The 1950s |
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After the trial of World War II, construction began again, and from 1945 to 1969 seventeen other houses were built. Africa made its appearance with the Morocco and Tunisia Houses. Two schools also made their appearance and with them several hundred students in engineering, arts and trades and agro-alimentary industries. |
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A third phase of development |
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The Cité is alive and always changing. Renovations and construction projects contribute to its new ascent and prepare the third phase of its development. In all, nearly three thousand residences will be built during the next ten years. |
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