Université Paris Cité, the Île-de-France Region, the City of Paris and LVMH lay the foundation stone of the Interdisciplinary Institute for Women’s Health (iWISH)

Placement of the time capsule and unveiling of the commemorative plaque.

From left to right: Jean-Paul Claverie (advisor to the Chairman and CEO of LVMH), Emmanuel Grégoire (Mayor of Paris), Valérie Pécresse (President of the Île-de-France Region), and Édouard Kaminski (President of Université Paris Cité).

A ground-breaking ceremony centred on transmission

The renovation of this historic building, located at 89 rue d’Assas in the heart of Paris’s 6th arrondissement, will bring together in a single location centres of excellence in research and education entirely dedicated to women’s health, including the University Department of Midwifery within the Faculty of Health.

The laying of the foundation stone officially marked the start of the construction project through a powerful symbolic gesture of transmission: the placement of a time capsule containing letters from each project partner addressed to the researchers of the future. Édouard Kaminski, President of the university, Valérie Pécresse, President of the Île-de-France Region, Emmanuel Grégoire, Mayor of Paris, and Jean-Paul Claverie, advisor to the Chairman of LVMH, placed the capsule alongside its commemorative plaque.

A concrete response to global challenges

Around the world, women face major inequalities in health. Delayed diagnoses, poorly identified symptoms and insufficient access to targeted care mean that women may live longer than men, but in poorer health. UPCité and its partners are committed to breaking this glass ceiling through the creation of this new institute.

Through an interdisciplinary approach, iWISH is implementing a comprehensive strategy combining research development, educational innovation and prevention. More than 25 clinical and research teams, along with 5 patient associations, will move into the site in collaboration with 7 universities across the globe.

Driven by this collaborative momentum, the institute structures its work around two cross-cutting priorities — healthy aging and environmental impact — as well as five thematic areas: mental health, the specific nature of chronic diseases in women, sexual and reproductive health, gynaecological health, and maternal health.

A sustainable architectural project

Located at the heart of an exceptional healthcare ecosystem, the Tarnier site has stood as a symbol of medical innovation since its construction in 1881. It was initiated by Stéphane Tarnier, a pioneer of neonatal paediatrics.

The architectural project provides for the rehabilitation of 8,770 square meters, including 3,000 square meters dedicated to research and 1,000 square meters to midwifery. Conceived as a model of modularity and eco-responsibility, the future building will offer a diversity of uses suited to its different audiences while committing to a deeply environmentally respectful approach. This ambition will notably result in a 60 percent reduction in energy consumption by 2050, as well as the renaturalisation of the main courtyard through the creation of a welcoming garden open to the city, in keeping with the site’s original spirit.

This project is funded by the Île-de-France Region through the State-Region Plan Contract (CPER), the City of Paris, and LVMH.