An unusual library dedicated to the arts décos and métiers d'art hidden in a Paris mansion

Located in the heart of the Marais district, in the beautiful Hôtel de Sens, a medieval castle, the Forney Library is one of Paris's best-kept secrets. Behind its medieval walls lies a kingdom of colors, textures and creativity: that of the decorative arts, design, posters and crafts. At once a place of study, a discreet museum and a refuge for the curious, this library like no other is a little paradise for all design lovers.

Here, the shelves are not filled with novels, but with antique wallpapers, ornamental catalogs, Art Nouveau posters, textile motifs and designer drawings. It's a veritable treasure chest for graphic designers, decorators, costume designers and style history buffs alike.

Founded in the XIXᵉ century by industrialist Samuel Forney, the library aimed to encourage the creativity of craftsmen and workers through knowledge. Initially housed in the Faubourg Saint-Antoine, a mecca for the arts and crafts, it found a home in the Hôtel de Sens in 1961. And what a setting it is! Vaulted rooms, large mullioned windows and stone staircases give the Bibliothèque Forney a historic setting.

The collections are immense: over 230,000 documents, covering applied arts, fashion, advertising, interior architecture, bookbinding and graphic design. There are also collections of old advertising posters (some signed by Chéret or Cappiello), embroidery albums, books of engravings and rare documents from all over Europe.

• To be read
• This week's top picks in Paris and Île-de-France, May 11–17, 2026
• Free museums in Paris and free monuments in Île-de-France: the top cultural deals

Access is free to all, even if you're not a researcher: all you need is a special library card from the City of Paris. The library also offers an exciting program of temporary exhibitions open to the general public, often free of charge, as well as lectures, workshops and guided tours, especially during the Journées du Patrimoine.

So the next time you're near Rue du Figuier, push open the big stone door and you'll find one of the capital's most inspiring (and charming) libraries.

This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.