The heritage site

A flagship of Irish culture in Europe, the Centre Culturel Irlandais (CCI) is located in the heart of Paris, in a historic 18th century building: the Collège des Irlandais, the former residence of a large Irish community of priests, seminarians and lay students, whose origins date back to 1578.

The cultural project

Created by Napoleon as a charitable foundation, the Cité des Arts promotes contemporary creativity, supports Franco-Irish relations and runs a vibrant, creative 45-bedroom residence for students, artists and researchers. A media library, a library dating back to 1775 and a historical archive complete the complex.

Throughout the year, the CCI offers a rich programme of events, including exhibitions, concerts, meetings with writers, dance, theatre, social debates and film screenings.

A place of exchange, open to the world, the CCI also offers a wide range of educational activities for schools and universities, linked to its contemporary and heritage collections.

Various grants and prizes encourage Franco-Irish academic and cultural relations - in particular research grants, a Thesis Prize and a Translation Prize.

Lastly, forty to fifty Irish and international artists are welcomed in residence each year, for stays of one or more months. More than twenty partner institutions support these residencies, in all disciplines.

*associate member