Student Residence
& Cultural Center
At the Cité internationale universitaire de Paris (CiuP)
Located across from the Parc Montsouris in Paris’ 14th arrondissement, the campus of the Cité internationale universitaire de Paris (CiuP) is an architectural treasure. The CiuP welcomes students from 130 different countries, encouraging cultural and linguistic exchanges.
Opened in 1930, the Fondation des États-Unis is a Recognized Public Utility Foundation (FRUP). It offers 274 student rooms, including a floor of art ateliers and music rooms, allocated based on application. The Franco-American cultural program is the fruit of projects lead by alumni, Harriet Hale Woolley scholars, and artists-in-residence. Concerts, exhibitions, workshops, conferences, and performances are all open to the general public.
Key Figures
Student Rooms
Cultural Events
Nationalities
Art & Music Ateliers
Companies in Artistic Residence
History of the
Fondation des États-Unis
Mabel Gage’s Legacy.
Founders Dr. Homer Gage and Mrs. Mabel Knowles Gage.
1920.
The CiuP, created after World War I by André Honnorat, minister of Public Education, offers students a campus dedicated to higher education in Paris while also promoting peace and understanding between countries.
1920-1937.
The first phase of construction: 19 houses of different nationalities were erected, along with the Maison Internationale, a generous gift from John D. Rockefeller Jr., housing student and administrative services.
1927.
American couple Mabel Knowles Gage and Homer Gage begin collecting funds to build the FEU, including part of the fortune Mrs. Gage had inherited from her father who worked in the textile industry.
1928.
Construction begins on the FEU, designed by the architect Pierre Leprince-Ringuet. It is one of the first houses to be built.
1930.
The opening ceremony of the FEU takes place the 28th of April, 1930 in the presence of its founders, the American couple Mabel Knowles Gage and Homer Gage, Walter E. Edge, Ambassador to the United States of America, Gaston Doumergue, President of France, and Sebastien Charléty, Rector of the Academy of Paris.
1933.
The first class of Harriet Hale Woolley Scholars, who live in the ateliers on the 5th floor, are chosen in art, music, and psychiatry.
2007.
Thanks to a partnership between the University of Chicago and the CiuP, the first large renovation project creates 40 comfort rooms in the West Wing of the building.
2010.
The FEU becomes a Recognized Public Utility Foundation (FRUP): created by patrons, it functions as a non-profit institution under private law, who’s cultural and housing missions are consistent with the missions of public service.
2011.
The inauguration of the renovation of the frescoes in the Grand Salon by a team of experts from the Louvre, made possible by patrons. Created by the Franco-American painter Robert La Montagne Saint-Hubert, the frescoes are now classified as a historic monument. Learn more.
2017.
Renovation of the windows and the heating systems of the Grand Salon, made possible by a crowdfunding campaign.
2019.
East Side Story: the transformation of 75 classic rooms into comfort rooms and studios, the renovation of the Residents’ Lounge and the creation of a classroom, an activity room and 2 music studios.
2020.
The FEU celebrates its 90th anniversary and is planning the renovation of the 5th floor, the restoration of its façade, and other occasional renovations in keeping with the Art-Deco style of its interior architecture.
Meet
The Board of Directors
When the Fondation des États-Unis was created, its founders, Homer and Mabel Gage, wished for the Board of Directors to be presided by the Rector of the Academy of Paris, then Sébastien Charléty. This decision anchored the Fondation in the Universities of Paris and invited projects and collaborations between American students residing in Paris and French students. The FEU is therefore presided by the Rector of the Academy of Paris.
Since 2010, the FEU is amongst hundreds of Recognized Public Utility Foundation (FRUP) in France, a dozen of which are at the CiuP. Its board is made of Ex-officio Members (appointed because of their position) and Qualified Members (appointed based on their skills and specific knowledge).
Honorary President
- The Ambassador to the United States of America in France
President – Academy of Paris / Founding Member
Ex-officio Members
- American Ambassador in France, Denise Campbell Bauer
- President of the Cité International universitaire de Paris, Jean-Marc Sauvé,
(rep. Laurence Marion, managing director of the CiuP) - Minister of Higher Education, head of the Department of Student Aid, Research, and Innovation, Olivier Blanchard
- Elected Resident, President of the Residents’ Committee at the FEU
Qualified Members
- Yann Toma, Université Panthéon Sorbonne
- Lee Samuelson, retired from the OCDE (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development)
- Samuel Cohen Solal, Director at Sweetwood Capital
- Judith Graves Miller, professor at New York University
- James A. Kiernan III, retired from Debevoise & Plimpton, LLP
- Jennifer Flock, partner Heidrick & Struggles
- Antoine Kirry, Debevoise & Plimpton, LLP
The FEU Team
Dr. Joan Divol
Director
Dr. Anfossi-Divol, a Franco-American with expertise in intellectual property, fashion, and ethical issues, has spent significant time in both France and the United States. As a respected professor at Paris Panthéon-Sorbonne for more than twenty years, she has taken on various teaching and leadership roles related to international relations, the integration of foreign students, and the formation of global partnerships. Coming from a family of artists, she has a deep appreciation for the creative realms of entertainment and the arts.
Eve Grinstead
Head of Culture & Development
Originally from Brooklyn, Eve came to France on a Fulbright fellowship in 2009 following her graduation from Smith College. She completed her master’s degrees at the École normale supérieure and at the Université de Paris IV—La Sorbonne in 2012 and, though living in the French capital, has always kept strong ties with the United States through her work at various American culture and arts organizations. At the Fondation, she oversees cultural programming, communication, and development.
Alyssa Jones
Life Abroad Manager
Alyssa joined the FEU team in September 2022. Fluent in two languages and hailing from Pittsburgh, she manages study abroad partnerships and student life at the Fondation, including le comité des résidents. With five years experience teaching English in France and Spain, she possesses a wealth of knowledge about international education exchanges. In her free time, Alyssa pursues her love of art, often found drawing and painting.
Razika Redouane
Administrative Manager
For three decades, Razika has been an integral part of the FEU team. Her role spans across student admissions, Fondation logistics, and overseeing the maintenance team. Known for her relentless pursuit of timely rent payments, she is also the go-to person for addressing any operational issues you may face.
Katarzyna Criou
Admissions & Reception Coordinator
Katarzyna became part of the FEU team in 2018. With the guidance of the selection committee, she looks after admissions applications and coordinates reception. Originally from Poland, she resided in London before moving to France to pursue studies in languages, with a specialization in English. Katarzyna has over fifteen years of experience working in student residences.
Benjamin Doucet
Reception & Rentals Coordinator
Benjamin looks over the reception desk. With extensive experience of more than two decades in the upscale restaurant and hotel industry, he also manages external bookings at the Fondation for corporate events. During his free time, he indulges in his passion for music.
Kateryna Barras
Community Life Assistant
Kateryna supports the team with all matters related to Life Abroad, as well as outside event production and rentals. Hailing from Ukraine, she has been a resident at the Cité Universitaire for the past two years and is currently pursuing cultural production studies at IESA in Paris. Her love for fashion, dance, and contemporary art fuels her creativity, and she brings valuable international experience to our projects.
Elsa Trudelle
Culture & Communication Assistant
Elsa became part of the FEU team in September 2024 as the Assistant for Culture and Communication. She works closely with Eve in planning and communicating on Fondation scholar- and artist-related events. With a strong fascination for arts and culture, her French-Swedish background has instilled in her a multicultural perspective that greatly benefits her professional endeavors and her master’s program at IESA Paris. Prior to joining FEU, she pursued a dual US-France High School diploma and spent six months studying in Sydney, Australia in 2023.
Tori Johnson
Development Assistant
Tori serves as the Development Assistant at the Fondation. Originally from California, she has spearheaded fundraising and development projects in various companies across France and the United States. Tori is deeply passionate about forging connections and creating opportunities for artists to flourish. She takes immense pride in being a part of the FEU team.
Fatah Benmahammed
Facilities Officer
Fatah joined the FEU in 2023. After running his own maintenance business for several years, he is now an essential member of the team thanks to his knowledge of plumbing, electricity wiring, and art-handling.
Jean Andelson
Maintenance Coordinator
Jean is originally from Haiti and has been a vital part of the FEU team for thirty-five years. He came to France as a teenager and has worked at two different CiuP houses before joining the Fondation: Deutsch de la Meurthe and Maison des Etudiants Canadiens. He looks after FEU maintenance, event set-up, and is also in charge of luggage storage.
Demba Kane
Maintenance Agent
Demba is Senegalese and joined the FEU team in 2022. He assists Jean and Fatah on maintenance and setting up our events.
