Open Days are an opportunity to discover the nuggets of Paris and the surrounding region. You can visit magical places that are rarely open to the public. Like hidden museums or little-known castles. This time, we invite you to discover a secret library just outside Paris. This time, we invite you to discover a secret library just outside Paris. The Choiseul Library in Versailles: a royal library that’s absolutely resplendent!
A secret library just outside Paris
Built over 700 years ago, this library is housed in the former Hôtel des Affaires étrangères et de la Marine, commissioned by the Duc de Choiseul, Minister of Foreign Affairs under Louis XV.
This magnificent hotel housed the archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the offices of the Navy. And it was in its majestic, richly decorated ceremonial gallery that major political meetings took place. Examples include the Treaty of Genoa, which united Corsica with France in 1768, and the Treaty of Paris, which recognized the independence of the United States of America in 1783. The rooms are all decorated to the glory of France, and are adorned with numerous details that you’ll enjoy observing.
It wasn’t until 1803 that this magnificent library was transformed into a municipal library. Its rich collection includes some major revolutionary acquisitions, as well as personal documents belonging to several kings and queens of France… Today, the library holds no fewer than 600,000 documents, including around 100,000 antiquarian books and over 40,000 open-access titles.
With its gilding and carved woodwork, you’re in for a real treat! The architecture, with its flat brick vaults, was designed to limit the risk of fire. A highly innovative technical feat for its time!
To visit this fabulous library, you’ll need to go directly to the site during the Heritage Days weekend. Reservations will be taken on the day itself, at the gallery reception desk. Several slots will be available, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 20, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, September 21.
A valuable address to explore, still too often overlooked.
📍Location: 5, rue de l’Indépendance américaine 78000 Versailles