National Archives: guardians of French history

The National Archives, created during the French Revolution, have played an essential role in preserving the memory of the French nation.

France's National Archives are a living testimony to the nation's history, giving researchers, historians and the curious access to invaluable resources for better understanding France's past.

Here's an overview of their history, their missions, and their importance in preserving France's public archives.

When and how were the National Archives created?

The Archives nationales were created as early as July 29 1789, when the rules of the National Assembly provided for the conservation of written documents. A decree in September 1790, sanctioned by Louis XVI, officially established the institution. However, the idea of centralizing archives existed long before, with Napoleon I acquiring the Rohan-Soubise palaces in 1808 to house the “archives of the Empire”.

Where are the National Archives located in France?

The headquarters of the National Archives are located in Pierrefitte-sur-Seine. However, certain collections are also held in the Marais district of Paris and in Fontainebleau.
These three sites contain an impressive total of 373 linear kilometers of archives, documenting the history of France from the 7th century to the present day.

What are the missions of the National Archives?

The missions of the National Archives include collecting, classifying, conserving, restoring, communicating and promoting the public archives of the central bodies of the French State. They are responsible for managing archives from the Ancien Régime to contemporary times. They also play an important role in the collection of private archives relating to renowned historical figures.

What is the importance of the National Archives in preserving the history of France?

The National Archives are essential to preserving the history of France, from the nation's earliest days. They preserve fundamental documents such as the acts establishing the constitution of the Kingdom of France, its public law, its laws, and its distribution into departments.
They also play a key role in safeguarding seals, weights and measures standards, and manuscripts relating to science and the arts. In short, they are the guardians of France's memory.

How are the National Archives organized?

Public archive collections come from government departments and administrations, whether from the Ancien Régime or more contemporary periods. They follow a methodical classification framework established in 1808 by Pierre Daunou, the keeper of the archives. The National Archives continue to collect public and private archives, contributing to the enrichment of their collection.

Where are the Archives nationales located in the Marais?

The National Archives in the Marais have been located in two former Hôtels particuliers since 1808, l'hôtel de Soubise and L'hôtel de Rohan. This site was designed to house the archives of central government bodies, to which were later added the Minutier central des notaires parisiens and documents of private origin.

The Hôtel de Rohan is located at 87 Rue Vieille-du-Temple, 75003 Paris (photo right) and the Hôtel de Soubise at 60 Rue des Francs Bourgeois, 75003 Paris.

What types of documents are held at the Archives nationales du Marais?

Since 2013, with the opening of the Pierrefitte-sur-Seine site, the Marais site in Paris has housed the archives de l'Ancien Régime, the minutes of Paris notaries, the library collections, and the Musée des Archives nationales. The museum presents fascinating temporary exhibitions, as well as a permanent exhibition featuring the most emblematic documents from the archives. The library, meanwhile, contains a wide variety of works, mainly on archivistics, French history and the auxiliary sciences of history, from the Ancien Régime to the present day.

What is the architectural history of the Archives nationales du Marais?

The Archives nationales du Marais are housed in buildings steeped in history. The Hôtel de Soubise, which houses part of the Archives, was acquired by the French government in 1808. In addition, the neighboring Hôtel de Rohan was saved from destruction and assigned to the National Archives in 1927. Renovation and expansion work was undertaken to adapt these buildings to the needs of the archives. In addition, decorations and woodwork from the former Hôtel de Voyer d'Argenson, demolished in 1923, were reassembled in the Hôtel de Rohan.

How do I get to the Archives nationales du Marais?

The Archives nationales du Marais is easily accessible by public transport. The Rambuteau metro station (line 11) is located close to the site, providing a convenient means of access for visitors. This enables history buffs, researchers and the general public to explore this treasure trove of French archives.

The Archives nationales du Marais is a must for anyone interested in French history. They offer invaluable access to historical documents that shed light on the country's past.

The National Archives in the Marais in brief

The Archives nationales were created during the French Revolution. As early as July 29, 1789, the rules of the National Assembly provided for the preservation of these written documents, and the appointment of an archivist;
A decree of September 1790, sanctioned by Louis XVI, formalized the institution. Napoleon 1st took such an interest in the “archives of the Empire” that, in 1808, he ordered the acquisition of the Rohan-Soubise palaces; on February 15, 1810, he even paid a surprise visit to the garde-général Daunou, and declared himself satisfied with the provisional installation at the Hôtel de Soubise. Dreaming of a European central warehouse, the Emperor laid the foundation stone on August 15, 1812 on the Île aux Cygnes. His project was abandoned under the Restoration, but thanks to a patient policy of acquisition and expansion, in 1941 the archives were extended over the entire quadrangle of the former Temple building site. In 1983, Stanislas Fiszer won the competition to build the CARAN (Centre d'accueil et de recherche des Archives nationales), inaugurated in March 1988.

The photos

The photos of the Archives nationales are with the photos of the Hôtel de Soubise


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