Bibliothèque Mazarine

Welcome to the Bibliothèque Mazarine, a site of 'exceptional' historical importance, being the 'oldest public library in France'. As you stand here within the Palais de l'Institut, you are in a space that has 'maintained its…

The façade of the Palais de l'Institut, which houses the Mazarine, is a 'masterpiece' of 17th-century 'classicism'. Designed by Louis Le Vau to 'close the perspective' from the Louvre across the river, it features a 'magnificent…

The 'Grand Staircase' leads you to the 'first floor,' the heart of the library and museum. This is an 'original creation' that 'makes the liaison' between the outside world and the 'sanctuary of knowledge'. …

Stepping into the main reading room, you are 'overwhelmed' by a 'dazzling' 17th-century interior. This is a 'monumental gallery' that was 'transported' from Mazarin's original 'hôtel particulier' on the Right Bank. …

At the heart of the library's 'exceptional treasures' is the 'Gutenberg Bible,' printed in Mainz around 1455. This '42-line bible' is the 'first printed book in history,' and this specific copy was 'acquired by Mazarin' in the…

The Mazarine is not just a place for reading; it houses a 'restoration workshop' dedicated to 'safeguarding and conserving' its 'inestimable treasures'. The 'personnel' here are 'rigorous,' trained to work on 'parchment, paper,…

The 'museum of the book' at the Mazarine houses an 'extraordinary collection' of over '4,500 manuscripts,' including '1,500 from the Middle Ages'. Many of these were 'acquired by the Abbe Leblond' during the 'turbulences of the…

As you leave the Bibliothèque Mazarine, reflect on the 'founding idea' of Cardinal Mazarin: to create a 'public' space for the 'enrichment' of the human mind. This 'splendid palace' and its 'inestimable treasures' have 'traversed…