Looking for hidden treasure in Paris? Head for the Luxembourg Gardens. This is where MINES Paris - PSL, one of France's oldest engineering schools, houses its exceptional library. Housed in the Hôtel de Vendôme, dating back to 1816, the library is home to a remarkable collection of books, and has many surprises in store for you.
The Mines Paris library is a true architectural and cultural jewel. As soon as you step inside, the 19th-century atmosphere takes hold. Despite its discreet size, it houses over 200,000 documents available to students. Among them are over 40,000 antique references, dating from before the 1940s. Some of these works even date back to the 16th century! And if you're curious about the stories of yesteryear, you can delve into the 2,000 handwritten travel journals from the 19th century, written by students of the time.
But that's not all! The library has forged strong links with BnF and the Agence Bibliographique de l'Enseignement Supérieur. Thanks to these partnerships, students have access to hundreds of thousands of books and research works. An invaluable asset for their academic careers.
Founded in 1794, the library reflects the cultural and architectural evolution of Paris since antiquity. The École is located in the heart of Paris, in one of the oldest inhabited districts. Archaeological excavations have revealed a Gallo-Roman artisanal quarter dedicated to pottery. Later, the Carthusian monastic order established an abbey here in 1257, marking a new historical milestone.
The site was home to the Hôtel de Vendôme, commissioned in 1705, whose façade can still be seen on the École garden. Occupied by various noblemen, including the Duchesse de Vendôme and the Duc de Chaulnes, this mansion was a witness to scientific experimentation and aristocratic life. The École des Mines moved in in 1816 and purchased the property in 1837, gradually adapting the space to its needs.
The library, partly located in the former Hôtel de Vendôme, is a blend of 18th-century architecture and modern fittings. The succession of rooms bears witness to the architectural history, with a former dining room transformed into a management office. It also houses part of the antiquarian book reserve.
The reading room, inaugurated in 1926, bears witness to the history of France, with the presentation of the Croix de Guerre of the 1st World War by General Foch. The reading room is open to the public upon registration, giving everyone access to this heritage.
Did you know? In the past, underground surveying classes for Ecole de Paris students were held in the catacombs.
The school is also home to the Musée de Minéralogie, one of the world's top 5 museums of mineralogy. The 5,000 items on display, from sparkling opals to brilliant pyrites, will captivate your gaze. And for researchers, almost 100,000 stones, inaccessible to the general public, are waiting to be studied. And as the icing on the cake, two enthusiastic curators will reveal some of the jewels of the French Crown. Please note that while the library is free, access to the museum is not. It costs €6 for admission, or €3 for students (payment in cash, please make up the balance!).
Combining history, architecture and knowledge, the École des Mines library, in close collaboration with the mineralogy museum, continues to play a vital role in the transmission of knowledge and the preservation of our heritage. A visit is a must! The library is open every day except weekends, from çh to 18h30.
Dates and Opening Time
From October 18th, 2023 to December 31th, 2027
Location
Mines Paris - PSL
60 Boulevard Saint-Michel
75006 Paris 6
Prices
Free
Official website
www.minesparis.psl.eu
