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Who are we ?
The Maison des étudiants canadiens has been welcoming students, researchers and artists since 1926.
The MEC is located in the heart of Paris, as one of about 40 international houses that form the Cité internationale universitaire de Paris (CIUP), an extraordinary multicultural environment which offers much more than simply housing. It’s the experience of a lifetime, offering among the best quality of life for students, and an exceptional place to connect and network with people from all around the world.
Vision
The MEC is a welcoming place of intellectual exchange for exceptional Canadian students who are open to the world.
Values
Respect, tolerance, openness to the world, safety and community spirit are the main values of the MEC.
Our History
The first foreign house of the CIUP, the Maison des étudiants canadiens has almost 100 years of history. The MEC was inaugurated in 1926, one year after the Cité internationale universitaire de Paris was founded. It has already hosted great names such as Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Adrienne Clarkson, Jacques Parizeau, Louise Beaudoin, Gaston Miron, Émile Borduas and Alfred Pellan.
Discover the significant events of its history :
Meet France Mainville
Bachelor of law and member of the Quebec Bar, France Mainville has experience in many fields.
Following a long career as Director of numerous sectors at l’Université de Sherbrooke, she is appointed Director of the MEC in July 2020.
France brings with her a great managerial mind and openness to new ideas. She is recognized among residents for her friendly and respectful approach.
Our Team
Our team spares no effort so that the time residents spend at the MEC is the best it can be. We are always available to respond to your questions and concerns, to have discussions, and to help guide you.
Our Residents
Every year, the MEC welcomes Canadians from across the country. We also welcome some residents who are « brassés », that is, students who have been transfered from other houses in the Cité.
Our residents come from Canada, Argentina, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Mexico, Norway, Peru, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria and Ukraine.
Meet our 2023-2024 residents :
Level of studies 2022 – 2023
Where do our residents come from?
The nationalities of our 2023-2024 residents are :
And in Canada…
A Foundation
Since 2005, la Maison des étudiants canadiens has been granted the status of a foundation serving the public good in France (FRUP).
The mandate of the foundation is to maintain and operate the Maison des étudiants canadiens.
The foundation is administered by an 11-member board, and chaired by her Excellency the Ambassador of Canada in Paris. The other members of the board of directors are:
- Representatives of the Committee in Canada;
- Full members, namely the Rector Chancellor of l’Université de Paris, and the President and General Delegate of la Cité internationale;
- Qualified members, namely the General Delegate of Quebec in Paris, and the President of the residents’ committee of the Maison
The Committee in Canada
The Maison des étudiants canadiens à Paris is supported by a non-profit organisation named « Comité au Canada de la Maison des étudiants canadiens à Paris ».
The committee’s objective is to help in the maintenance, development and promotion of the work of the MEC, through all the means at its disposal, financial or otherwise.
To learn more:
The President of the Committee in Canada, Mr. Panet-Raymond, presents the history and work of the committee in the video below:
