National Archives Museum - Hôtel de Soubise
Discover the Rich History at the National Archives Museum - Hôtel de Soubise
Archives Nationales: A Dive into French History
Explore centuries of French history within the walls of the Archives Nationales, located in the heart of Paris's historic Marais district.
Located in the Marais district, the Archives Nationales in Paris offer a captivating journey through French history. Housed in the magnificent Hôtel de Soubise and Hôtel de Rohan, the archives preserve an exceptional collection of historical records dating back to the Merovingian period. Visitors can explore documents, stroll through gardens, and attend cultural events.
Plan your visit
A brief summary to Archives nationales
Opening times, essentials, and a few local tips gathered into one calmer, easier-to-scan planning section.
Plan your visit
Monday
10 am-5:30 pm
Tuesday
10 am-5:30 pm
Wednesday
10 am-5:30 pm
Thursday
10 am-5:30 pm
Friday
10 am-5:30 pm
Saturday
2 pm-5:30 pm
Sunday
2 pm-5:30 pm
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Getting There
Public Transport
To reach the Archives Nationales via public transport, take the Paris Metro. The closest metro stations are Hôtel de Ville (lines 1 and 11), Rambuteau (line 11), Arts et Métiers (line 3), or Saint-Paul. Alternatively, take the RER to Châtelet-Les Halles station. A single metro or bus ticket costs €2.50.
Walking
From the Bastille metro station (Line 1), walk approximately 10 minutes to 60 Rue des Francs Bourgeois. From either the 'Bastille' or 'Saint-Paul' bus stops (bus numbers 20 or 65), it's a short 5-10 minute walk to the Archives.
Taxi/Rideshare
If taking a taxi or rideshare service like Uber, enter '60 Rue des Francs Bourgeois, 75003 Paris' as your destination. The cost may vary based on your starting location, but expect to pay approximately €15-€30 depending on traffic.
Car
If driving, head towards central Paris and follow signs for 'Centre de Paris'. Use a GPS or map application to navigate to 60 Rue des Francs Bourgeois, 75003 Paris. Be prepared for heavy traffic, especially during peak hours. There are limited parking options nearby, and you may need to pay for parking in the street or in a parking garage, which can cost around €6.60 per hour.
Local tips
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Visit the permanent museum section, where displays rotate every four months to protect light-sensitive documents.
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Explore the gardens and courtyards to appreciate the architecture of the Hôtel de Soubise and Hôtel de Rohan.
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Check the Archives Nationales website for a calendar of cultural and musical events.
Discover more about Archives nationales
The Archives Nationales, situated in the heart of Paris's historic Marais district, provide a unique window into France's past. Housed within the Hôtel de Soubise and the Hôtel de Rohan, the Archives preserve an extensive collection of documents spanning from the Merovingian era to 1958. These archives serve as the official repository for the French state, excluding those of the Ministry of Armed Forces and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Archives Nationales were established in 1790 during the French Revolution. A state decree in 1794 mandated the centralization of pre-Revolution private and public archives seized by revolutionaries, which was further solidified by a law in 1796 that created departmental archives to ease the burden on the national archives.
Visitors can view a selection of these remarkable records in the permanent museum section, which rotates its displays every four months to protect the fragile documents. Exhibits include Charlemagne's diploma, the founding paperwork for Sainte-Chapelle, Marie-Antoinette's last letter, and the Constitution of the Fifth Republic. Beyond the exhibits, visitors can explore the gardens and courtyards, experiencing the architectural beauty of this historic site. The Archives also host a variety of cultural and musical events throughout the year.
The Archives Nationales also hold archives from local secular and religious institutions from the Paris Region seized during the French Revolution, archives produced by Parisian notaries over five centuries, and private archives donated by aristocratic families, industrialists and historical figures.
A brief summary to Archives nationales
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