Behind its imposing facades and scholarly atmosphere, Université Paris-Dauphine hides a surprisingly unconventional history: it was once the headquarters of NATO’s Secretariat in Western Europe. This iconic site, located near Porte Dauphine in the 16th arrondissement, has hosted diplomats, high-ranking military officials, and international representatives long before the current university students stroll through its halls.
Affectionately dubbed the “NATO Palace” at the time, the building was designed by renowned architect Jacques Carlu, who was already celebrated for his work on the Palais de Chaillot. Constructed between 1955 and 1957, its bold, geometric, and monumental architecture aimed to give NATO a prominent and enduring presence in Paris, the post-war political and diplomatic capital.
From 1959 to 1966, this site served as the nerve center of NATO's operations, until President Charles de Gaulle decided to withdraw France from the Alliance's integrated military command. The headquarters was then relocated to Brussels. The building, once bustling with diplomats, was about to find a completely new purpose.
By the late 1960s, amidst the university reforms following May 1968, the government decided to repurpose the site as a university center. The Dauphine University Center officially opened its doors in December 1968. It later became Université Paris IX Dauphine, before joining the more recent Université Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL).
Today, this renowned university welcomes thousands of students across a wide range of disciplines, from economics to computer science, while still bearing subtle marks of its illustrious history. Some NATO conference rooms have been transformed into lecture halls, and original architectural features remain visible within the building’s structure.
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Location
Paris Dauphine University
1 Rue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny
75116 Paris 16
Access
Line 2 - Porte Dauphine RER C - Avenue Foch Line PC1 - Porte Dauphine
