Exhibition “The creation of the cabinet of books”

A major element of the Musée Condé, the Book Cabinet was designed as a showcase to house the exceptional legacy of manuscripts from the princes of Bourbon-Condé as well as the extremely rare collection assembled by the Duke of Aumale from 1850. prince of bibliophiles", the architect Honoré Daumet (1826-1911), designed a modern library in 1875-1876 using the latest technologies of the time and integrated it in a remarkable way into the structure of the Petit Castle built in the Renaissance. It is one of the most beautiful libraries in the world.

The library set up at Orléans House during the prince's exile in Twickenham (England) serves as a reference. The comfort of the reader and the security of the works mobilize the best techniques of the time and are thought out down to the smallest detail, which increases the power of fascination of the library. Inspiring decor, glass cabinets, removable lecterns, retractable maps, gas lighting… everything promotes study of the collections or wonderment.

From the floors to the frames, the exhibition presents the secrets of the Book Cabinet, the sources of inspiration of the prince and the architect, the technical prowess of the project managers and the challenges of the restoration to come. The former display case of the prince's treasures allows you to admire exceptional pieces.

Exhibition included in the Estate ticket at no extra charge