“What if these walls could talk?” they might speak of students from every corner of the globe finding not just accommodation, but a sense of belonging at the Villa du Foyer. Ideally located for students in Paris, the Foyer International stands minutes from Notre-Dame and the Seine. It is near the Sorbonne and language centers.
The Villa du Foyer’s story begins in 1906. It was the first student residence in the Latin Quarter. The building was entirely rebuilt in 1928. Then, in 1936, it was given to the University of Paris. Today, a board of directors including the Rector of the Universities of Paris manages the Villa du Foyer.
Grace Whitney Hoff founded the Foyer International des Etudiantes. Born in Detroit in 1862, she married John Jacob Hoff in 1900. They moved to France that year. Grace Whitney Hoff dedicated herself to philanthropic causes. During World War One, she cared for wounded soldiers. She also established a rest home for war widows.
Hoff also focused on women’s rights and education access while president of the YWCA in Detroit. From 1926, she committed to building the Foyer International des Etudiantes. She supervised every construction stage closely. Hoff envisioned a spacious, comfortable hall built with quality materials and decorated tastefully. The Foyer opened its doors in 1928.
For her generosity, she earned the Academic Palms in 1923. In 1925, she received the Legion of Honor. She became an Officer in 1934. Grace Whitney Hoff died in Lausanne in 1938.
One former resident recalls a wonderful experience at the Villa du Foyer. She found the other girls friendly and the management strict. She even spent a night on a park bench for missing curfew. The Villa du Foyer is open to women between 21 and 25 enrolled in Parisian courses. Applications are required to live here.
More than just a residence, the goal of the Villa du Foyer is to foster international understanding. It is open to students of all countries and creeds. Here, students meet and exchange ideas. They reflect on their cultures and discover friendship beyond national differences. The Villa du Foyer provides an opportunity to appreciate different cultures.