Instituto Cervantes, Cultural center in 8th arrondissement, Paris, France
Instituto Cervantes occupies a private mansion built in 1885 at 7 rue Quentin Bauchart, preserving its original architectural features including a monumental staircase and former ballroom space. Following extensive renovation work completed in 2022, the building now functions as both a language education center and cultural venue with modern facilities throughout.
The mansion served as the headquarters of the Basque government in exile during two periods, first from 1937 to 1940 and again from 1945 to 1951. Between these periods, from 1940 to 1944, Franco's police occupied the building during the occupation of France.
The center serves as a cultural bridge for Spanish speakers in Paris, hosting exhibitions, film screenings, and literary events throughout the year. These activities bring the traditions and contemporary life of Spanish-speaking countries directly into the heart of the 8th arrondissement.
The center offers Spanish language courses at multiple proficiency levels alongside regular cultural programming open to visitors. Checking the website beforehand is helpful to confirm current schedules and what events or exhibitions may be happening during your visit.
The facility houses the Octavio Paz Library, a specialized collection featuring extensive Spanish-language literature and resources. This library provides researchers and literature enthusiasts with direct access to works that might be difficult to find elsewhere in Paris.
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