Panel announcing American Women in Paris (cropped)
© Entrée to Black Paris

A few weeks ago, I received an email announcing American Women in Paris, an exhibition that "examines the lives, challenges, and achievements of the remarkable American women who made this city [Paris] their home."

It was created by 16 college women who are pursuing Anglophone Studies at Université Paris Cité Grand Moulins campus. 

My husband and I were not able to attend the opening, which took place on January 20, but we did make it over to the campus last Friday to see the exhibition.

We didn't know what to expect from the location or the exhibition itself, so our excursion turned out to be a bit of an adventure.

The university is in the heart of what I call the "New Paris" in the Quartier de la Gare in the 13th arrondissement.  

Skyline of the "New Paris" in the 13th arrondissement
© Entrée to Black Paris

The exhibition is displayed on the 4th floor of Bâtiment Olympe de Gouges at 8, place Paul Ricoeur.

Bâtiment Olympe de Gouges
© Entrée to Black Paris

We didn't know (and the invitation did not specify) that you need a badge to enter the building.  If you are not a student, faculty, or staff at the university, you must leave your ID at the reception desk in exchange for a badge that allows entry.

Once you get to the 4th floor, there is no signage to indicate how to find the exhibition.

We had to ask someone in an office to direct us to it.

Thankfully, her directions were not difficult to follow.

The exhibition consists of a series of panels that present a brief summary of the lives of several American women who lived in Paris during the 20th century.  It describes Paris as a place where these women had "the freedom to create, to challenge norms, and to exist on their own terms."

American Women in Paris exhibition
© Entrée to Black Paris

American Women in Paris brochures
© Entrée to Black Paris

Themes invoked included visual arts, literature, activism, and women in science.

I would have been surprised had Josephine Baker not been included in this exhibition (she was presented as an activist), but I was pleasantly surprised to see a panel devoted to artist Loïs Mailou Jones in the section on visual arts.

Looking at the Loïs Mailou Jones panel
© Entrée to Black Paris

Loïs Mailou Jones panel
© Entrée to Black Paris

All panels are presented entirely in English.

Josephine Baker panel
© Entrée to Black Paris

It took less than a half hour to read all the panels, look at the associated images, and peruse the bibliography.

We left campus feeling satisfied that we made the effort to see the exhibition and took the opportunity to have lunch at a nearby restaurant and explore this off-the-beaten-track part of the city.

American Women in Paris will be on display through March 13, 2026.

American Women in Paris title panel
© Entrée to Black Paris