The Collège des Bernardins: one of the oldest medieval buildings in Paris to visit free of charge

In the heart of the Latin Quarter stands the Collège des Bernardins, a treasure trove of medieval architecture. Founded in 1245, this historic site offers an insight into the medieval history of Paris. Over the centuries, it has been a center of learning, a fire station and even a boarding school. Today, it's a place of cultural exchange, freely accessible to all. The perfect opportunity to explore a fascinating part of the French capital's history and heritage.

The Collège des Bernardins is first and foremost a site steeped in history. Located in the heart of Paris, this medieval monument was the birthplace of the University of Paris. Founded by Etienne de Lexington in 1245, it was originally intended for the education of Cistercian monks. It later became a major intellectual center, welcoming students from all over Europe.

Indeed, in 1245, the Pope gave his approval for the Cistercians to create educational establishments exclusively for their monks, in keeping with their commitment to monastic retreat. They purchased land from the abbey of Saint-Victor, and construction began in 1248. Only some of the original structures, designed to combine training and liturgical celebration, have survived. This educational institution operated for five centuries, until the French Revolution, which aimed to diminish ecclesiastical influence in society, notably by removing the clergy from teaching.

In 1790, the college was emptied of its contents, seized and handed over to the city of Paris. A large part of the building was then sold and destroyed to extract the stone. Declared a national asset in 1791 and suffering from a lack of maintenance, the Collège des Bernardins was used as a prison before being bought back in 1804 by the city of Paris, which set up archives and warehouses there. After these brief but destructive periods, a fire station was established in 1845. Adapting certain parts of the building to the needs of a fire station was easy, but maneuvering fire trucks between the Gothic columns was a challenge that firefighters met until 1995.

This imposing edifice boasts a 70-metre nave, an exceptional example of Cistercian architecture. It also houses spaces such as a flamboyant Gothic sacristy, used for contemporary art exhibitions. A visit to these historic sites is a unique experience, combining architectural wonder and cultural discovery.

• To be read
• Free Museums and Monuments to visit in Paris and the Ile-de-France region, good ideas for outings
• Free museums and monuments for young people under 26 in Paris and the Ile-de-France region
• Free museums and monuments this Sunday: places to visit in Paris on January 5, 2025

Practical information

• Access: Easily accessible, the Collège is close to the Maubert-Mutualité or Cardinal Lemoine metro stations (line 10), and Jussieu (line 7). Bus lines also serve the area: lines 24 and 47, stop at Maubert Mutualité - lines 63, 86 and 87, stop at St Germain - Cardinal Lemoine. For those coming by car, parking lots are available nearby.
  
• Opening hours: Open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm, with free admission to the nave and garden. Please note that the Collège is closed on Sundays.
  
• Guided tours: Available Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 4pm, from €4 to €8. Reservations can be made online or on site, subject to availability.

The Collège des Bernardins is one of Paris's hidden treasures. Its free admission makes it accessible to all, making it a must-see for anyone wishing to immerse themselves in the capital's medieval history and cultural wealth. An enriching and unique experience not to be missed! Please note that the site also offers a food and beverage service from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday.

The Mozart Mystery: an immersive musical and theatrical journey at the Collège des Bernardins
From June 2025, music lovers and the curious will rediscover Mozart's most beautiful works, which will come to life in an original musical and theatrical journey through the heart of the sublime Collège des Bernardins. [Read more]

Épiphanies: the free, spellbinding painting exhibition at the Collège des Bernardins
Painter Augustin Frison-Roche exhibits his colorful canvases, inspired by mystical epiphanies and visions, from January 9 to February 26, 2025, at the Collège des Bernardins. [Read more]

Free exhibition: Corita Kent, the joyful revolution, at the Collège des Bernardins
Sponsored - In the heart of Paris, a stone's throw from Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Collège des Bernardins invites visitors to discover the work of American artist Corita Kent (1918-1986). Through the eyes of this artist, it's an era to rediscover, that of the United States from the 1950s to the 1980s, with pop art. This is the first exhibition in France dedicated to the artist, known as Sister Mary Corita, from October 9 to December 21, 2024. Her work reflects her atypical career: audacious, militant and educational. [Read more]

La table des Bernardins, the unusual café-restaurant nestled in the nave of the Collège des Bernardins
La Table des Bernardins, located in the emblematic Collège des Bernardins in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, is the ideal spot for a meal or a break in an atypical, historic setting. Open Monday to Friday from 10am to 6pm, this restaurant-café offers a varied cuisine, ideal for a relaxing lunch or a passing snack. [Read more]

A free exhibition of tapestries from the world of Tolkien at the Collège des Bernardins
Attention craft lovers and fans of the Tolkien universe: in Paris, the Collège des Bernardins is hosting a free exhibition of tapestries inspired by the universe imagined by the father of Fantasy. Visit us from March 21 to May 18, 2025 to discover "Aubusson Tisse Tolkien". [Read more]