On June 10, 2026, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, laid the cornerstone for the future Robert-Debré du Cerveau de l’Enfant Institute Robert-Debré du Cerveau de l’Enfant building, Robert-Debré du Cerveau de l’Enfant the heart ofRobert-Debré University Hospital.
This is an important and symbolic milestone, as it marks the official start of construction on our building—a facility unique in France that is entirely dedicated to understanding child brain development and improving care for neurodevelopmental disorders. By 2028, a 14,000-square-meter building will house specialized clinics, research platforms, innovation spaces, and areas dedicated to families and organizations. Researchers, clinicians, children, families, caregivers, and private partners will work side by side there to accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into concrete solutions.
Today, the Institute operates beyond its physical walls and already brings together nearly 400 researchers, doctors, healthcare professionals, and innovation experts united by a common goal: to better understand the developing brain in order to bring about lasting change in children’s health, learning, and well-being.
As Professor Ghislaine Dehaene, director of the Institute, pointed out:
"We don't just build laboratories and examination rooms. We are building a hub of hope, innovation, and equal opportunity."
This building received €40 million in government funding allocated as part of the Mental Health and Psychiatry Summit.
Thank you to all the children, families, organizations, researchers, healthcare professionals, institutional partners, and sponsors who joined us for this memorable day and who work every day to advance this shared goal.
We would like to thank our founding partners for their unwavering support:AP-HP,Université Paris Cité,Inserm, CEA,Institut Pasteur, and the AP-HP Foundation.