Avenue de la Cité Forestière

“A city within a city?” you might wonder, standing before Avenue de la Cité Forestière. Avenue de la Cité Forestière isn’t just a street. It’s a gateway. This avenue leads into the heart of the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris (CIUP), a unique place with a fascinating story. The CIUP was born from a vision of providing a home for deserving students. In 1921, the French Minister of Public Instruction and the rector of the University of Paris sought to improve the difficult living conditions of Parisian students. They found a benefactor in Émile Deutsch de la Meurthe, a prosperous industrialist. He generously donated ten million gold francs to build a residence for students. The ideal location for this ambitious project was found on the former fortifications of Thiers, on the southern edge of Paris. Avenue de la Cité Forestière winds through this space, a space once occupied by military structures. The land was part of what was called the “zone,” a mix of marshland, caravans, and temporary buildings. Imagine the transformation. The fortifications, built in 1845 and decommissioned in 1919, gave way to this ambitious project. The CIUP was designed as a “garden city,” harmoniously blending buildings with landscapes, promenades, and sports fields. Avenue de la Cité Forestière reflects this vision. It is not just a street but a thread in the tapestry of this international community. Jean-Claude Nicolas Forestier, the landscape architect, played a pivotal role in designing this “garden city.” He envisioned a park with a regular layout, divided into distinct spaces: a grand mall lined with linden trees, a vast central lawn, and sports facilities. Avenue de la Cité Forestière offers glimpses of these features. It’s an invitation to explore the heart of this “city within a city”. As you stroll along Avenue de la Cité Forestière, remember the vision of its creators. They sought to create not just housing, but a vibrant international community. The CIUP, with its various houses representing different countries, stands as a testament to their success.