Date of tip: 16 May 2005 (last research visit dates back to April 2002)

Source: Ryo Ikeda, r.ikeda@lse.ac.uk

Location: 52, rue du Cardinal Lemoine 75005 Paris.

Contact Details: Telephone number is +33 (0)1 44 27 18 81. Fax number is +33 (0)1 44 27 18 82.

Possible Accommodation: There are an unaccountable number of accommodations in and near Paris, but I think a convenient place for students is Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris. You can visit its website on http://www.ciup.fr/.

How to get there: The nearest Metro station is Cardinal Lemoine (Line 10) but you can also walk from other Metro/RER stations.

Language: French.

Getting started: Visit the Institute and speak to the archivist, M. Dominique Franche or his secretary. You will have a very quick interview and after that you will be able to order documents. Each time you visit, you are required to sign a notebook.  The website listing the archival collections of the Institute is: http://www.pierremendesfrance.asso.fr/html/archi.htm.

Opening Hours: 9.30 to 12.30 and 13.30 to 17.30 on weekdays, but you may stay in the reading room between 12.30 to 13.30. Note that this institute can be closed on a temporary base. You had better contact the archivist, M. Dominique Franche, before your visit.

General working conditions: The Reading Room is small, but you have enough space because there are not many people. 

Consultation: You can order materials anytime you want. You can even get into the room where documents are stored.

Policy on technology: Researchers may use their own computers and typewriters in the Reading Room. I don’t think the use of a digital camera is allowed but this is worth asking the archivist.

Photocopy policy: You need to ask the secretary to make photocopies. I do not remember how much it costs per page but this is not very expensive.

Particularities: This is a very small Institute, and there is no catering service but a coffee vending machine. However, there are a number of cafes and restaurants near the Institute. 

General Assessment: I don’t think I need to explain Paris. The Institute is located near le Panthéon, in the central Paris, so it is very easy to find.