BnF Museum

The Cabinet des Medailles is France's oldest collection of antiquities and coins and forms part of the Bibliotheque nationale at its historic Rue de Richelieu site in the 2nd arrondissement. Founded in 1560 under Charles IX, it grew over centuries out of the royal treasury and holds around 600,000 coins, cameos, intaglios and antique objects. Among the highlights are the late-antique Grand Camee de France, the Berthouville silver hoard and the throne of Dagobert I, one of the rare surviving seats of the early Middle Ages. After the 2022 reopening of the Quartier Richelieu, the grand Salle de Luynes presents the masterpieces in a modern setting. Tickets are combined with the Musee de la BnF and the rooms are usually pleasantly quiet.