Musée de l'Histoire de France

The Museum of the History of France, located in the Hôtel de Soubise, takes you on a journey through France’s most impressive historical documents. 

Founded in 1867 by Napoleon III, the museum displays letters, decrees, and engravings that shaped the nation. You’ll find original pieces from the Revolution, Napoleon’s Empire, and the creation of the Légion d’Honneur. Exhibitions change regularly to protect fragile items.

In the elegant halls of the Hôtel de Soubise—with its beautiful rococo interiors—history comes to life: from Napoleon’s letters to Josephine to France’s very first constitution. Visitors are greeted by bronze busts of Napoleon I and Léon de Laborde at the staircase, before discovering treasures from the prince and princess’s apartments. This museum offers a fascinating look into France’s heritage.