Diplomatic Archives

The Diplomatic Archives of the ministry of European and Foreign Affairs boasts an outstanding collection: Information dispatched by ambassadors and consuls since the 16^th century, treaties  signed by France from the 15^th century until today,  maps and old photographs, autograph documents signed by some famous names in French History such as Richelieu, Chateaubriand, Aristide Briand, and Général de Gaulle...

Initially stored at Quai d'Orsay, the documents are kept in a 70 km straight-line method in a building at La Courneuve, built for this purpose. It was designed by the architect Henri Gaudin, gold award winner of the Academy of architecture.

The function of the Diplomatic Archives Centre is to conserve fragile documents and to provide professionals of heritage optimum working conditions.

There are workshops for (digitization of works, conservation and binding), including storeroom chambers, reading rooms, a library with a collection of 500, 000 volumes, consultation rooms, an auditorium and an exhibition room for meetings and conferences.

End 2023 - The Diplomatic Archives are launching a website that lets you search and consult inventories and digitized archives (fonds and collections from the 16th century to the present day).

Throughout the year, you will be able to visit Diplomatic Archives with a guide. Tours are also available on heritage days at La Courneuve.

Other visits of the archives (Nationals, departmental Archives...) are regularly proposed.

You can also consult useful information on Diplomatic Archives on their website.

Discover the archival websites of the department Seine Saint Denis.