The “Cité U”: a unique architectural and cultural ambition
What if a student room could become a living space where design meets comfort? This was the daring challenge taken up by the Cité internationale universitaire of Paris in the 1930s.
Conceived after the First World War to encourage cultural and intellectual exchanges between students from all over the world, this 34-hectare garden city was built by some of the most talented architects, decorators and designers of the time.
The Cité Universitaire is made up of various houses, each representing a country or region.
Among them, the Maison des Provinces de France, inaugurated in 1932, and the Collège Franco-Britannique, opened in 1937, stand out for their architecture and interior design. These residences had a clear vocation: to provide functional, welcoming accommodation, but also to embody the prestige and influence of France. In this context, interior design was not a mere detail: it was at the heart of the project.
Competitions to select masters of design
Competitions are organized to furnish these residences. The requirements were strict: proposals had to be economical (maximum 3,300 francs per room), robust, practical and aesthetically pleasing. The furniture also had to avoid uniformity to reflect the idea of a personalized room, conducive to concentration and rest.
Among the prize-winners are some major figures of Art Deco:
- Jacques-Émile Ruhlmann, famous for his refinement and attention to detail.
- Maurice and Léon Jallot, renowned for their elegant, functional work in wood.
- Eugène Printz, a specialist in sober, modern lines.
- Jean Perzel, master glassmaker and creator of exceptional lighting fixtures.
Their designs for the rooms at Cité Universitaire reflect an Art Deco aesthetic, combining simplicity, functionality and elegance.
Furniture by the great names in design
Each house had its own identity, reflected in its furniture. At the Maison des Provinces de France, Maurice and Léon Jallot designed a harmonious ensemble of stained and waxed oak, including beds, desks and bookcases. At the Collège Franco-Britannique, they opted for sycamore and cherry wood, creating spaces that are both practical and refined.
The furniture in these rooms, designed by some of the greatest names, was much more than a simple piece of equipment. It reflected the ideals of an era when design was at the service of functionality, while at the same time promoting the excellence of French craftsmanship.
Rooms where Art Deco design meets everyday life
The rooms, averaging 14 m² in size, were designed to meet all the students’ needs. They included a desk, a sofa-bed, a bookcase and a storage unit. The clean lines and noble materials created a warm, soothing ambience.
Particular attention was paid to details, such as the choice of wallpaper. At the Maison des Provinces de France, the walls were covered with motifs by Jacques-Émile Ruhlmann, in seven different variations to avoid uniformity. This blend of simplicity and elegance made each room a unique space.
But beyond furniture and wall coverings, lighting also played a key role in the atmosphere of these spaces.
The lamp No. 509 bis lamp by Jean Perzel: a practical, timeless light
Jean Perzel, so concerned with visual comfort, was soon called upon for various projects in the Cité Universitaire. These included the Argentina Foundation, inaugurated in 1928, the United States Foundation in 1930, the Maison des Provinces de France in 1933, and the Collège Franco-Britannique and Monaco Foundation in 1937. At each stage, he created luminaires designed to meet the needs of students and collective spaces.
What were his priorities? Modular intensity and directed beam. In 1928, he created the lamp No. 144 with folding shutters. Then, a year later, he designed the famous lamp No. 509 bis, an emblem of his ingenuity.
Made from metal and opaline glass, lamp n°509 bis features a bronze swivel cover. This ingenious detail allowslight to be directed according to need: direct light for studying, subdued light for relaxing. This innovative design offers optimal visual comfort, essential for Cité Universitaire students.
Popular from the outset, the n°509 bis lamp has been available in a variety of metallic finishes to suit all tastes. Its success? Discreet elegance combined with flawless functionality.
The Atelier Jean Perzel continues to produce this iconic piece today. An icon of Art Deco, it continues to seduce design enthusiasts and collectors alike. Functional, elegant, timeless… this lamp continues to illuminate interiors and remind us of Jean Perzel’s visionary genius.
A preserved heritage
Today, the original furnishings of these rooms are largely preserved in the 1930s Museum in Boulogne-Billancourt. However, four historic rooms in the Maison des Provinces de France have been restored to their 1933 condition. These spaces bear witness to the Cité Universitaire’s exceptional heritage.
The Cité Universitaire’s architectural, landscape and artistic heritage is open to guided tours. They even offer a heritage center, inviting you to discover the history and current events of the Cité internationale.
A source of inspiration for today’s designers
As you will have gathered, the Cité internationale universitaire is not just a place for students to stay. As well as being a “Cité-Monde” campus, it still embodies an era when humanism, innovation, design and craftsmanship converged to create unique living spaces.
Thanks to visionaries such as Jean Perzel, Ruhlmann and the Jallots, these rooms have become timeless models of functional elegance.
The lamp No. 509 bis, still manufactured today, is the perfect example of this durability… Reminding us that Art Deco remains an inexhaustible source of inspiration for design enthusiasts.
