Bibliothèque Paul Marmottan

The Bibliothèque Paul Marmottan is a museum library in Boulogne-Billancourt housing approximately 25,000 books and periodicals focused on the First French Empire. The building was originally a private villa and displays its collections within the historic rooms.

Paul Marmottan built the collection through extensive travels across Europe, visiting places connected to Napoleonic campaigns and Bonaparte family residences. After his death in 1932, the collection was preserved in this location as a public institution.

The library maintains the structure of a private residence while displaying Empire-style furniture throughout its rooms. The Italian garden outside adds to the historical feeling of the place.

Visitors can book guided tours in groups of five to thirty people to explore the rooms and collections. It is best to check opening hours in advance and make reservations beforehand.

The collection contains about 6,000 prints depicting European city landscapes and works from early 19th-century artists. These graphic works offer a different perspective on the Napoleonic era from the extensive literature in the library.