Hôtel de Sens, where the library is now located, is also indicated on the sign from the "History of Paris" series
Click for sign's details, as well as the garden where it is located
Click for sign's details The place was photographed on the same day
Click for a larger image Click for a larger image Translation of the text on the sign:
Library Forney A little historical reminder The hotel of the archbishops of Sens A vestige of medieval civil architecture in Paris, the Hôtel de Sens was built from 1475 to 1519 by order of Tristan de Salazar, Archbishop of Sens. Powerful lords close to the kings of France, the archbishops of Sens kept the use of this magnificent Parisian pied-à-terre until 1622, the date of the creation of the autonomous archdiocese of Paris. Queen Margot, like other famous people, stayed there.
Until the Revolution. the Hotel was rented to private individuals. Sold as national property, it was mutilated throughout the 19th century by its successive owners, until it became an industrial building, a modest rolling business. a laundry, a canning factory. the Saint James jam factory, a glassware depot...
Classified as a historical monument since 1862, it was bought by the City of Paris in 1911. It was then very dilapidated.
The restoration work decided by the municipality began in 1929 and was completed in 1961, the date of the transfer of the Forney library within its walls. Due to the very poor condition of the building, many elements had to be reconstructed
The Forney Library Inaugurated in 1886, the library bears the name of the industrialist Samuel-Aimé Forney who made a bequest to the City of Paris intended to promote crafts. Originally located on rue Titon in the craftsmens quarter, they could come and work there and borrow books and models.
Both a conservation and a lending library, the Forney Library is today. dedicated to fine arts, decorative arts, graphic arts and fine crafts.
It stands out for the diversity of the documents preserved: books and magazines, catalogs of exhibitions and museums, catalog of public sales and shows. It brings together a heritage and iconographic collection among the richest in France, advertising posters, wallpapers. samples of fabrics, catalogs of commercial houses, postcards, original drawings, models and archives of professionals and a considerable collection of publicity documents.
Exhibitions are regularly organized, devoted to the development of these collections.
Forney reinvents himself for the public Works During 2016, the Forney library was closed to the public in order to carry out large-scale works to welcome its readers and visitors in better conditions. Thus, the accessibility of the library is improved thanks to the creation of a documentary consultation area for people with reduced mobility, accessible by access ramp and external videophone.
In accordance with the policy defined by the City of Paris and the Department of Cultural Affairs, the Forney library is proposing a cultural action project for the future, with the creation of a room equipped for conferences and the creation of a visit route. open to all, promoting the architectural and documentary heritage of the library.
A real work of interior scenography makes it possible to highlight the collections: part of the furniture has been redesigned, mixing contemporary design and old pieces. The circulation of readers and visitors is modified with a view to improving the fluidity of users; new reception areas have been created. The areas reserved for staff have also been restructured.
Finally, to make the most of this exceptional heritage, the City has decided to light the library externally, with a highlighting of its moldings, from the interior courtyard.
[Pictures of the place and the library]