Musée des Archives nationales

About the museum

The Musée des Archives nationales opened in 1867 in the Hôtel de Soubise, a mansion in the Marais that the State acquired in 1808 to house the Archives de l'Empire. It has a twofold purpose: to present the great documents of French history to the public and to provide access to the state rooms of the building. It was called the Musée de l'Histoire de France between 1939 and 2006.

The mansion was remodeled at the beginning of the 18th century for the Rohan-Soubise family: architect Pierre Alexis Delamair built the court of honor and the peristyle, then Germain Boffrand designed an oval pavilion and the interior salons from 1735. These rooms are among the finest examples of the rococo style under Louis XV, with decorations by artists such as François Boucher and Charles Natoire.

In 1938 the museum was extended to the neighboring Hôtel de Rohan, which houses the decorations of the Chancellerie d'Orléans, and in 2013 to the Pierrefitte-sur-Seine site. Today the Paris visit includes the princely apartments, the permanent route around famous documents and temporary exhibitions, all free to access. The grounds, originally laid out by André Le Nôtre, reopen to the public in June 2026.

Highlights

• Princely apartments of the Hôtel de Soubise, decorated in the rococo style
• Salons designed by Germain Boffrand, with decorations by Boucher and Natoire
• Permanent route devoted to major documents of French history
• Decorations of the Chancellerie d'Orléans at the Hôtel de Rohan, on guided tour
• Historic gardens of the Archives nationales

Permanent exhibition

• Appartements princiers et parcours permanent de l'hôtel de Soubise – State rooms of the Rohan-Soubise family and a route through major documents kept by the Archives nationales.

Founded

1867

Operated by

Archives nationales (ministère de la Culture)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Access to the princely apartments, the permanent route and the exhibitions is free for all visitors. Guided tours and workshops may be paid, according to a price list published by the museum.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The entrance level of the museum is accessible; visitors should ask at reception for access to the ramp at the back of the building, and calling ahead is recommended. Wheelchairs and seat-canes are lent at reception, where induction loops are also installed. Reserved parking spaces are located at 57 rue des Francs-Bourgeois, and at 1 and 41 rue des Archives. Access to the decorations of the Chancellerie d'Orléans at the Hôtel de Rohan passes through a construction zone and is not accessible to visitors with reduced mobility. Free Acceo service for deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly

Workshops for families, children and adults in Paris; guided tours and workshops for school groups. Strollers are admitted to the museum if their model poses no danger to the works or other visitors; baby carriers with a metal frame are not admitted.

Getting there & parking

Entrance through the court of honor of the Hôtel de Soubise, 60 rue des Francs-Bourgeois. Nearby Vélib' stations: Blancs-Manteaux-Archives, Archives-Pastourelle, Vieille du Temple-Francs-Bourgeois and Perle-Vieille du Temple.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Free self-service lockers for coats and small luggage; deposit is mandatory for suitcases, backpacks, shopping bags, helmets and umbrellas. The Archives nationales shops sell publications on site.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The Archives nationales website has a page on renting spaces.

Plan your visit