An American space on an international campus in Paris

Founded in 1930 on the campus of the Cité internationale universitaire de Paris, the Fondation des Etats-Unis is a residence dedicated to Franco-American dialogue. The FEU hosts up to 300 students, researchers, and artists from diverse backgrounds, while offering a rich cultural program for both residents and the general public. The FEU collaborates and forges agreements and partnerships to promote creation, civic education, and cross-cultural exchange, in keeping with the humanist and socially engaged values of the CIUP.

AN IDEAL OF LIVING TOGETHER, CARRYING THE FUTURE

The Fondation des Etats-Unis was born from the vision of American philanthropists Homer and Mabel Gage, in the wake of the Cité internationale universitaire de Paris project, conceived in the interwar period to promote peace among nations.

For nearly a century, the FEU has embodied this ideal of living together or “vivre-ensemble”. Designed as a residence dedicated to encounter and exchange, the building was conceived to encourage interaction through shared spaces including a library, study lounges, a common room, music, theater, and dance studios, gardens, and shared kitchens, fostering dialogue and the creation of lasting bonds. The FEU is committed to cultural diversity and exchange, with nearly 30% of residents holding non-U.S. nationalities, ensuring a truly unparalleled intercultural experience.

Living at the FEU

Our residents

  • (1)

    900+

    residents per year

  • (2)

    70%

    americans

  • (3)

    40%

    from U.S. academic partnerships

A mission of public interest serving the promotion of transatlantic dialogue

To fulfill its mission of public interest, the Fondation des Etats-Unis offers the general public a cultural program at the intersection of the arts, sciences, and contemporary issues (concerts, exhibitions, lectures, workshops, etc.).

The distinctiveness of its programming lies in its ability to bring academic, artistic, and cultural spheres into dialogue. By intersecting disciplines, formats, and perspectives, it also fosters the emergence of innovative collaborations and offers enriching experiences for residents, artists, and audiences alike.

Through support and donations, and in pursuit of its mission, the FEU reinvents each year its role as a vibrant cultural platform at the heart of Paris.

Events

A dynamic program

  • ~50 events per year
  • 5-10 cultural partners per season
  • +1000 visitors hosted per semester

Our values

  • FREEDOM AND INDEPENDENCE

    Freedom of thought, conscience, opinion, and expression Freedom of artistic creation and research Welcoming plural viewpoints and bold ideas Support for emerging artists, researchers, and thinkers

  • DIVERISTY, RESPECT AND EQUALITY

    Respect for human rights, privacy, and the shared living environment Equality regardless of origin, language, or social background Gender equality and respect for all sexual orientations Zero tolerance for hateful or discriminatory speech, harassment, and violence

  • "VIVRE-ENSEMBLE" AND CREATION

    Listening, dialogue, and a spirit of fraternity Support for artistic and academic pathways Residency, scholarship, and mentoring programs Spaces that foster exchange, sharing, and autonomy

  • TRANSMISSION AND STEWARDSHIP

    Preservation of cultural and architectural heritage Responsible management of spaces and resources Commitment to sustainable and environmentally responsible practices Innovation and openness to new ideas and practices Commitment to transmitting the shared Franco-American history and heritage of the FEU

Tierra Mcmahon Resident 2009-2012

“My time at the CIUP, and more particularly at the Fondation des États-Unis, is deeply precious to me. The years I spent there as a master’s student allowed me to meet students from all over the world and to interact with them on a daily basis. Whether it was cooking together while discussing the contributions of this or that philosophy, or simply enjoying an afternoon picnic stretched out on the lawns of the CIUP.

I also met the most important person in my life, whom I later married, during my time at the FEU, and this thanks to the purpose and spirit of the CIUP: bringing together people from diverse cultures. For this, I will be eternally grateful.”