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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Marmottan Library, located in Boulogne-Billancourt, was founded by historian and collector Paul Marmottan (1856–1932). Passionate about Napoleon and the First Empire, he gathered, between 1890 and 1920, an exceptional collection of works, prints, furniture and art objects of Empire style. The building, conceived as a villa with the glory of the Napoleonic art of living, becomes a place of study and conservation dedicated to this period.

Paul Marmottan, heir of a family fortune, acquired land in Boulogne-Billancourt after his father's death in 1883. He built a home there that he turned into a personal library and museum, enriched with rare pieces like an office belonging to King Joseph, Napoleon's brother. In 1932 he left the ensemble at the Academy of Fine Arts, which opened it to the public in 1935.

The library, partially listed as a historical monument in 1984, was run by the city of Boulogne-Billancourt from 1996. It has been closed since 2018 for renovation, under the direction of historian Adrien Goetz. Its collections, comprising 25,000 books, make it the largest Napoleonic library in Europe, supplemented by temporary exhibitions and residences for researchers.

The First Empire-style building was enlarged and restored over time, particularly in 1996. Architects L. Monin, L. Perin and Fernand Rimbert contributed to its evolution between 1890 and 1927. The villa now includes exhibition spaces, an auditorium, and residences for artists and researchers, perpetuating the heritage of its founder.

The collections cover the history, administration and arts of the First Empire, with particular attention to Napoleonic Europe. Paul Marmottan, a tireless traveller, accumulates various documents: directories, maps, reports, and works of art. In 2012, the library obtained the label "Maisons des Illustres", highlighting its heritage importance.

Since 2024, Villa Marmottan has hosted artistic residences and researchers, while preparing for its reopening. His role now goes beyond mere conservation to become a living place of creation and study, faithful to the encyclopedic and passionate spirit of his founder.

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