Musée BnF - Bibliothèque nationale de France

The Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF) is a space dedicated not only to French culture but also to that of Europe and beyond. The Department of Coins, Medals, and Antiquities preserves and promotes the numismatic and antique collections of the BnF. Also known as the Cabinet of Medals or the King's Cabinet, it is one of France’s oldest museums. Its origins date back to the mid-18th century when it was opened to scholars and later to the general public in 1791. Located on the historic site of the BnF at 58 rue de Richelieu / 5 rue Vivienne in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris, the department houses a rich collection of jewelry, engraved stones, sculptures, ceramics, and ancient coins amassed by French monarchs since the Middle Ages. The collection's roots trace back to King François I, who granted it a separate existence within the walls of the Château de Fontainebleau. Successive rulers, such as Catherine de Médicis and Charles IX, contributed to its expansion. The office of "special guardian of the King's medals and antiquities" was established during the reign of Charles IX to safeguard this valuable heritage. Pierre-Antoine de Rascas de Bagarris, appointed by Henri IV, was the first significant guardian. The Cabinet flourished under Louis XIV, who inherited a collection from his uncle, Gaston d'Orléans, and enhanced it with notable acquisitions, including the treasure of Childeric I, a gift from Emperor Leopold I in 1665. Despite a tragic incident in 1666, when a deranged intruder killed the Cabinet's elderly steward, Abbé Breunot, the collection continued to grow. Following this event, the Cabinet was moved to the Bibliothèque du Roi on rue Vivienne, where its treasures were cataloged and published. Over the years, the Cabinet moved between different royal residences, including Versailles. In 1741, it was relocated to Paris, taking up residence at the Hôtel de Nevers, where it was opened to the public. By the early 20th century, Jean-Louis Pascal, in collaboration with Ernest Babelon, designed the current Coins and Medals Department within a new wing of the Bibliothèque on rue Vivienne, inaugurated in 1917. Today, the department still preserves its historic displays, including remnants of the once-grand Louis XV Salon.