Institut d'art et d'archéologie

The Institut d'art et d'archéologie is a four-story building located on rue Michelet, featuring red brick facades and Renaissance-style architectural elements. It houses extensive collections focused on art history and archaeological studies within its spaces.

Construction began in 1924 under architect Paul Bigot's direction and was completed in 1932, following his Grand Prix de Rome award. The project emerged during a period when art history was gaining recognition as an academic discipline in French universities.

The building is named after Gabriel Monod, a scholar who advanced art history studies at the Sorbonne. It reflects the academic dedication to bridging artistic research with archaeological knowledge in the neighborhood.

The building houses the Michelet Library, which offers extensive specialized materials on art history and archaeology. Access may require researcher or student status, and visiting hours tend to be limited during certain periods.

The building originally housed a large-scale model of ancient Rome on its fourth floor, created by Paul Bigot himself depicting Constantine I's era. This elaborate miniature recreation demonstrated the city in its historical splendor and reflected Bigot's archaeological passion.