Exhibition
It is hard to believe that this seemingly ordinary family home, secluded yet still close to the bustling heart of Paris, was where the future of Europe and its place in global affairs developed. This is the place where Jean Monnet’s vision of peace and European unity was established. Monnet desired to see his family home transformed into a place dedicated to welcoming young people, and the European Parliament has honoured that commitment by making the Houjarray house a place of memory and interaction open to visitors: a space for learning, discussion and mediation. It is the ideal place to discover the living and working environment of one of the architects of today’s European Union.
The Jean Monnet House was purchased by the European Parliament for future generations in December 1982. As well as exploring the public career and engagements of this important statesman it also uncovers the personal life of the man himself, connecting people directly to Monnet’s work and exploring its importance in the Europe of today.
This building is not just about preserving the European Union’s origins: it is a place to be inspired and to consider the future of Europe as a united entity. As we move further into the 21st century with a future that is increasingly uncertain and challenging, it is vital that we keep in mind the messages of this historic space. There is thus a new impetus within the Jean Monnet House to raise awareness of the legacy of this founding father of Europe by sharing his values of peace and solidarity with a wide audience and to show the connection between Monnet’s ambitions and the work being done on the European stage today. As well as organising new activities and hosting numerous events for the public, the building is opening its doors as a space for the European Parliament to meet with leaders and build Europe’s future here in the very birthplace of European integration.
