The centre’s construction started in 2014, and it opened on October 19, 2016. The centre offers Russia and France broad opportunities for implementing joint cultural and educational projects.
Covering a total area of 4,200 square metres, the complex includes an exhibition centre, a Russian-French primary school, and a diocesan administration building with a concert hall and residential quarters. The Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Trinity of the Russian Orthodox Church’s Korsun Diocese is the jewel that crowns the centre, located in the direct vicinity of the Eiffel Tower, the Quai Branly Museum, the Grand Palais and the City of Paris Museum of Modern Art.
The project’s architect, Jean-Michel Wilmotte showed the centre’s layout model to the President. Also present at the centre during the Russian President’s visit were Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and Mayor of the 7th Arrondissement of Paris Rachida Dati. Vladimir Putin toured the exhibition and educational buildings, as well as the cathedral.