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Discover MIJE association
Our story
The MIJE association was founded in the Paris suburbs in the aftermath of the Second World War.
Motivated by the idea of ‘never again’, Pierre Tessier, founder of the youth centre in Sarcelles, decided to work with teachers to open young people’s minds to other people and other places.
His idea was to take schools out of the classroom and guide young people in their discovery of the world and of others. It was in Greece, the cradle of European culture, that the project took shape with the first accommodation: 200 low-cost beds open to all, just a stone’s throw from the Acropolis.
In 1958, Pierre Tessier set up MIJE as anon-profit-making association under the law of 1901, to provide an educational and cultural framework for these youth trips. Since then, the association – recognised as a public utility in 1970 – has never stopped growing: it now has 3 youth hostels in Paris and organises over 1,850 school trips every year.
Our values
Cultivating openness
- At MIJE, we have a responsibility to provide young people with a real openness to the world and to others. Our teams are also committed to encouraging initiative, listening and inclusion.
Growing together
- Mutual support, curiosity and team spirit are at the heart of our association’s DNA. So we see each trip as a collaborative project with teachers and young people. With them, as with our colleagues, we give priority to co-construction.
Giving the best of yourself
- Proud of the trust placed in us by teachers, we are committed to working alongside them to offer our young travellers the best possible experience at the right price.
Our reason for being
Our vision 
AT MIJE, WE ARE CONVINCED OF THE NEED TOOPEN UP TO THE WORLD AND TOEACH OTHER
TO COMBAT INWARD-LOOKING ATTITUDES AND PROMOTE SOCIAL PROGRESS.
FROM EXPERIENCE, WE KNOW THAT EDUCATIONAL MOBILITY IS AN ESSENTIAL MEANS OF ACHIEVING THIS.
Our mision
TO OPEN UPNEW HORIZONS TO YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH EDUCATIONAL TRAVEL,
TO HELP THEM DEVELOP AND BUILD A FAIRER, MORE CARING WORLD.
The MIJE's associative and educational projects
Our association project
In the 1950s, teachers at the Sarcelles secondary school and the Ezanville youth centre introduced new ideas about education: discovering the world and other people helps to shape minds and awaken curiosity.
“Travelling is about growing up. It’s the great adventure. The one that leaves its mark on the soul.”
Marc Thiercelin – Skipper professionnel
Our educational project
‘Educational trips open people’s minds, help combat racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia, develop a spirit of openness to others, and enable people to see differences so that they can better understand and accept them. Our aim is for every young person to find his or her place in society.
André Auriant – Statement made at the General Meeting in June 2008.
Team and key figures
Under the guidance of its Managing Director Rémy Vernay, MIJE is a committed team specialising in organising educational school trips and youth hostels for young people. In 2019, MIJE welcomed over 1,859 groups to Paris and organised trips throughout France and Europe for some 7,430 young people.
