Institut d'art et d'archéologie, Art and archaeology research institute in 6th arrondissement, France
The Institut d'art et d'archéologie is a four-story building on rue Michelet in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, built in red brick with decorative elements inspired by Renaissance architecture. The facade is ornate and stands out clearly from the plainer stone buildings that line the surrounding streets.
Work on the building started in 1924 under architect Paul Bigot and was completed in 1932, at a time when art history was beginning to establish itself as a proper academic field in France. Bigot had previously won the Grand Prix de Rome, an award that shaped his lifelong interest in classical antiquity.
The building sits in the heart of the Latin Quarter, surrounded by university libraries and lecture halls, making it a natural part of the daily academic life of Paris. Students and researchers pass through it regularly, giving it the feel of a working scholarly space rather than a ceremonial one.
The building is primarily open to students and researchers, as it houses a specialized library for art history and archaeology. It is worth checking access conditions before visiting, since opening hours can vary depending on the academic calendar.
Paul Bigot spent decades building a large-scale model of ancient Rome depicting the city as it looked during the reign of Constantine I, and the model was originally kept on the fourth floor of this building. It was later transferred to the University of Caen, where it continues to be studied today.
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