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Marmottan Museum Library in Boulogne-Billancourt dans les Hauts-de-Seine

Musée
Musée-Bibliothèque
Hauts-de-Seine

Marmottan Museum Library in Boulogne-Billancourt

    7 Place Denfert Rochereau
    92100 Boulogne-Billancourt
Bibliothèque-Musée Marmottan à Boulogne-Billancourt
Bibliothèque-Musée Marmottan à Boulogne-Billancourt
Bibliothèque-Musée Marmottan à Boulogne-Billancourt
Bibliothèque-Musée Marmottan à Boulogne-Billancourt
Bibliothèque-Musée Marmottan à Boulogne-Billancourt
Bibliothèque-Musée Marmottan à Boulogne-Billancourt
Bibliothèque-Musée Marmottan à Boulogne-Billancourt
Bibliothèque-Musée Marmottan à Boulogne-Billancourt
Bibliothèque-Musée Marmottan à Boulogne-Billancourt
Bibliothèque-Musée Marmottan à Boulogne-Billancourt
Bibliothèque-Musée Marmottan à Boulogne-Billancourt
Bibliothèque-Musée Marmottan à Boulogne-Billancourt
Bibliothèque-Musée Marmottan à Boulogne-Billancourt
Bibliothèque-Musée Marmottan à Boulogne-Billancourt
Bibliothèque-Musée Marmottan à Boulogne-Billancourt
Bibliothèque-Musée Marmottan à Boulogne-Billancourt
Bibliothèque-Musée Marmottan à Boulogne-Billancourt
Bibliothèque-Musée Marmottan à Boulogne-Billancourt
Bibliothèque-Musée Marmottan à Boulogne-Billancourt
Bibliothèque-Musée Marmottan à Boulogne-Billancourt
Bibliothèque-Musée Marmottan à Boulogne-Billancourt
Bibliothèque-Musée Marmottan à Boulogne-Billancourt
Bibliothèque-Musée Marmottan à Boulogne-Billancourt
Crédit photo : MOSSOT - Sous licence Creative Commons

Timeline

XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
1900
2000
1883
Death of Jules Marmottan
1890–1920
Establishment of collections
1932
Legation at the Academy of Fine Arts
1984
Partial registration for Historic Monuments
1996
Restoration and enlargement
2012
Label « Maisons des Illustres »
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

Facades and roofs of all buildings; Gallery of Prints with its decor. In the library: hall of the ground floor with its decor, the staircase with its ramp, the library of the ground floor, blue living room and library of the first floor (Box Q 1): inscription by decree of 21 December 1984

Key figures

Paul Marmottan - Founder and collector Created the library dedicated to the First Empire.
Paul Fleuriot de Langle - First Librarian Closed the collections and wrote a guide.
Bruno Foucart - Scientific Director (1968–2010) Developed acquisitions and exhibitions.
Adrien Goetz - Current Director (since 2020) Supervises renovation and artistic residences.
Jules Marmottan - Father of Paul Marmottan Mine manager, source of his fortune.
Julien Cain - Intermediate for the Academy Facilitated the revival of the library in 1968.

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.

External links

Conditions of visit

  • Conditions de visite : Ouvert toute l'année
  • Contact organisation : 01 55 18 57 61