In 1962 René Seydoux founded the Université méditerranéenne d’été [Mediterranean Summer School] in Aix-en-Provence.

He had been very enthusiastic about the “Florence Meetings” organised by the mayor of the city, Giorgio La Pira, whom he befriended.

He decided to start similar gatherings in France. For one summer month every year, students from all the Mediterranean countries would come together and meet writers, teachers and journalists in the hope that greater mutual understanding would help to defuse conflicts, break down traditional barriers and encourage rapprochement between the individuals and the peoples of the Mediterranean.

Under the directorship of George Duby, the University continued to function for ten years.

In 1978 Geneviève Seydoux founded the Fondation René Seydoux pour le monde méditerranéen [René Seydoux Foundation for the Mediterranean World]. Her aim was to perpetuate and serve René Seydoux’s conviction that the Mediterranean countries share a common culture and that dialogue between all peoples is a vital necessity. Geneviève Seydoux ran the Foundation and chaired its Board until her death in 1993.