Fondation des États-Unis, Art Deco university residence in 14th arrondissement, France

The Fondation des États-Unis is an Art Deco residence of the Cité internationale universitaire de Paris, in the 14th arrondissement facing Montsouris park. Its pale brick facade has horizontal stone bands between rows of windows, a taller right-hand block with tall vertical windows, and arched windows at ground level. It holds 267 rooms, including artist studios and music studios.

This residence opened in 1930 through funding from American donors, including Ambassador Myron T. Herrick and nineteen United States universities. It was created to establish a transatlantic educational bridge and provide international students with a home in Paris.

The Grand Salon's five Art Deco frescoes were painted in 1930 by Robert La Montagne Saint-Hubert with his American students Ethel Wallace and James Newell. Found during renovation work in 1995, they were restored by Louvre experts in 2011 after a donation from the Florence J. Gould Foundation. Apart from murals at the Musée de l'Art d'Afrique et d'Océanie, these are the only intact frescoes of their kind in Paris.

The Fondation des États-Unis stands on Boulevard Jourdan, facing Montsouris park in the 14th arrondissement. It is a working student residence, so the Grand Salon and its frescoes are best seen during the cultural centre's public events, concerts and exhibitions. Ask at the reception about access before crossing the entrance hall.

The five Art Deco frescoes in the Grand Salon, painted in 1930 by Robert La Montagne Saint-Hubert with his students Ethel Wallace and James Newell, were found during renovation work in 1995 and restored by Louvre experts in 2011. Apart from those at the Musée de l'Art d'Afrique et d'Océanie, they are the only intact frescoes of their kind in Paris.