For the 20th Nuit des Musées, on Saturday May 18, 2024, we're heading for the Service historique de la Défense (SHD), in Vincennes, to discover this mecca of military symbolism, inviting you in particular to explore its library, where all the archives of the ministries in charge of military affairs since their creation are kept.
A truly specialized library, one of the richest in France, in charge of approving, listing and collecting elements of military symbolism (including emblems and insignia), and thus contributing to works relating to the history of Defense. In all, almost a million works, including 450 km of archives dating back to the 17th century, are also preserved, representing part of the nation's memory.
In addition to conservation, the archives are also an organization dedicated to historical research, and have been structured in an original way, characterized by the attention paid to contemporary archives, which are given as much prominence as older archives. A historical service created in 2005, bringing together the former army historical services. Today, it reports to the Director of Heritage, Memory and Archives (DPMA), one of the departments of the General Secretariat for Administration of the Ministry of the Armed Forces.
Are you doing historical research? Doing military research? The scientific reception desk can answer your questions and help you with your research.
Accompanied by a guide, explore the exhibition "Sports champions awarded the Croix de Guerre".
Guided tours of the exhibition every 45 minutes between 6pm and 10:30pm.
Meet in the reception hall of the Pavillon du Roi.
For European Museum Night, the Service historique de la Défense is exhibiting part of its holdings relating to the liberation of Vincennes and Saint-Mandé. An opportunity to discover photographs of the destruction of the château and testimonies of those who were shot.
Exceptional presentation of the Salle des emblèmes by the Division symbolique de la défense.
Continuous from 6 to 10:30 p.m.
Visit the "Salle des Armoires" in the King's Pavilion for a self-guided tour of the exhibition "Les Champions Sportifs Décorés de la Croix de Guerre" (Sports Champions Awarded the Croix de Guerre).
Presentation of the latest acquisitions from the Service historique de la Défense.
Continuous from 6 pm to 10:30 pm.
Curators and archivists present emblematic documents and archives from the Second World War preserved at the Service historique de la Défense.
A presentation every hour from 6pm.
Join us in the Cour d'Honneur of the Château de Vincennes for a musical journey back in time.
La musique des Gardiens de la Paix joins forces with the Defense class of the Lycée professionnel Jules Michelet de Fontenay sous-Bois for a concert commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Liberation.
Composed of four tableaux combining music and historical texts preserved in the collections of the Service historique de la Défense, this concert will plunge you into the major stages of the conflict from the Second World War to the Liberation.
First performance at 6:30 pm.
Musical creation only at 9:00 pm.
In case of bad weather, the concert will take place in the Salle des Cartes of the Pavillon du roi.
Dates and Opening Time
On May 18th, 2024
Location
Service historique de la Défense
Avenue de Paris
94300 Vincennes
Access
Metro line 1 "Château de Vincennes" station
Prices
Free
Official website
www.servicehistorique.sga.defense.gouv.fr
