L’Institut français des hautes études en Roumanie et l’Institut français d’études byzantines de Bucarest dans la tourmente de la Seconde guerre mondiale
French Institute of Higher Studies in Romania and the French Institute of Byzantine Studies in Bucharest during World War II

Summary/Abstract: This text examines the resilience of two key French cultural institutions in Bucharest—the French Institute of Higher Studies (IFHE) and the French Institute of Byzantine Studies (IFEB)—during World War II and the subsequent communist period. It highlights their role in maintaining intellectual and cultural ties between France and Romania amidst ideological pressures and attempts at suppression. Both institutes, despite facing significant challenges like war, political shifts, and surveillance, continued their academic activities and provided a haven for intellectual freedom. They fostered Franco-Romanian relations and supported Romanian scholars, even facilitating the clandestine publication of works by banned Romanian intellectuals. The commitment of their directors, Alphonse Dupront and Jean Mouton, and scholars like Vitalien Laurent, played a crucial role in upholding humanistic values against fascist and later communist regimes, ultimately demonstrating France's enduring cultural influence in Romania.

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