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Guided tour of the Emperor's library, after restoration

Bibliothèque
© Béatrice Lecuyer Bibal
The library of Napoleon I in the Château de Fontainebleau will reopen to the public in May 2021, the year of the bicentenary of the death of the Emperor. A guided tour will be organised to mark the occasion.

From to

Exhibition

The Emperor's library, which is located in the Petits Appartements of the Château de Fontainebleau, has been restored, both in terms of its furniture and the books which are kept there. It holds a great number of books on history, geography and military art, which were Napoleon I’s favourite topics, as he used his library as a working tool above all. An avid reader, the Emperor was also keen on literature, theatre, ancient and classical authors as well as philosophy. He wished to keep up with French and European intellectual life and expected his librarian to provide him with the latest releases.

You will be able to appreciate the Emperor's restored library in a guided tour of the Petits Appartements of the Emperor and Empresses Josephine and Marie-Louise.

Further information:

  • Duration of the tour: 1h30;
  • Booking necessary;
  • You will need an entrance ticket to the Château to access the tour;
  • More information on chateaudefontainebleau.fr.