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Cité Internationale de la Langue française

The International City of the French Language, inaugurated at the Château de Villers-Cotterêts, is a unique space dedicated to the expression of the French language in all its forms. Located on the site where Francis I signed the ordinance establishing French as the official language of the Kingdom, the City celebrates the language's evolution, creativity, and ability to connect cultures. With an immersive experience and a rich artistic program, it highlights the Francophonie as a vehicle for exchange and creativity. In October 2024, it hosted the summit of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), further establishing its role as an international crossroads for Francophone exchanges.

Paul Rodin

Born in 1971, Paul Rondin first pursued a literary education before moving into performing arts under the guidance of Robert Abirached, complementing his studies with additional training in cultural institution management and political science.

In 1988, he founded a multidisciplinary festival in Villeneuve-sur-Fère in the Aisne and led an association that supported and implemented cultural projects.

From 1994 to 1996, he served as manager in the Theatre Department of the DRAC Île-de-France at the Ministry of Culture, then as a project manager at AFAA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs). He then dedicated himself to the artistic projects of Balazs Gera and François Lazaro.

From 2000 to 2007, he was the administrator of the Centre Dramatique National d’Orléans under Olivier Py’s direction, actively supporting the International Parliament of Writers.

In 2007, he joined Olivier Py at the Odéon-Théâtre de l’Europe as secretary-general until autumn 2012, then became the deputy director of the Festival d’Avignon from 2013 to 2022.

Since January 2023, he has been the director of the International City of the French Language – Center for National Monuments.

Additionally, he co-founded French Tech Culture in 2014, publishes articles, and speaks at numerous conferences in France and abroad on cultural policy and the relationship between digital media and culture. Paul Rondin is also president of the ERACM (Regional School of Actors of Cannes and Marseille) and an officer of the Order of Arts and Letters