Journées du Patrimoine 2024: visit the library of the Conservatoire national des arts et métiers

The Conservatoire national des arts et métiers is a research and higher education center located in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris. It trains French and international engineers. Created at the time of the French Revolution, Cnam is heir to the Enlightenment and the great scientists and thinkers of the 18th century.

This school has a fascinating history. But what interests us most, on September 21 and 22, 2024, is the Bibliothèque centrale of the Conservatoire national des arts et métiers. As part of the 41st Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days), we'll be opening its doors to the public.

The central library occupies the former refectory of the Saint-Martin-des-Champs priory. Renovated a few years ago, this grandiose space with itsGothic architecture is a real gem of history and architecture, hidden and little-known by Parisians. Why not take advantage of the free open-house days during the JEP to discover it?

• To be read
• Tips for the week of September 9 - 15, 2024 in Paris: free or inexpensive outings
• What to do in Paris and the Paris Region in September 2024? Back-to-school ideas

On the program for this weekend of the JEP 2024:

• Guided tour of the refectory of the Saint-Martin-des-Champs priory.
  Saturday, September 21, 09:00
  

  Come and discover the history of one of Paris's finest libraries!
  Come and discover the history of the former priory of Saint-Martin des Champs during the Journées du patrimoine. Visit the former church and refectory, built around 1230, which has housed the central library of the Conservatoire national des arts et métiers since 1852.
  The exhibition "Des Lumières au Conservatoire: naissance d'une institution" (From the Enlightenment to the Conservatoire: birth of an institution) in the reading room will introduce you to the founding texts of the Conservatoire.

  
  
  
• Guided tour of the refectory of the Saint-Martin-des-Champs priory.
  Saturday, September 21, 9:30 a.m.
  

  Come and discover the history of one of Paris's most beautiful libraries!
  During the European Heritage Days, come and discover the history of the former priory of Saint-Martin des Champs and its refectory, built around 1230, in which the Conservatoire national des arts et métiers' central library has been housed since 1852.
  The exhibition "Des Lumières au Conservatoire: naissance d'une institution" (From the Enlightenment to the Conservatoire: birth of an institution) presented in the reading room will enable you to discover the Conservatoire's founding texts.

  
  
  
• Guided tour of the refectory of the Saint-Martin-des-Champs priory.
  Sunday, September 22, 10:00 am, 2:00 pm
  

  Come and discover the history of one of Paris's finest libraries!
  Come and discover the history of the former priory of Saint-Martin des Champs during the Journées du patrimoine. Visit the former church and refectory, built around 1230, which has housed the central library of the Conservatoire national des arts et métiers since 1852.
  The exhibition "Des Lumières au Conservatoire: naissance d'une institution" (From the Enlightenment to the Conservatoire: birth of an institution) in the reading room will introduce you to the founding texts of the Conservatoire.

  
  
  

And to discover even more of the capital's hidden treasures, take a look at our special selection!

Journées du Patrimoine 2024: superb secret, little-known or hidden places to discover in Paris
Thanks to the Journées du Patrimoine, you can also discover hidden, even secret, places in Paris and the Île-de-France region. On Saturday September 21 and Sunday September 22, 2024, don't miss your chance to discover Paris's little-known heritage! [Read more]