184 Cours Nicole Dreyfus Nanterre. A familiar address to those in the know. It’s home to La Contemporaine a remarkable institution. This isn’t just any library or museum. It’s a treasure trove of 20th and 21st-century history.
Imagine a Parisian couple Louise and Henri Leblanc. Patriotic industrialists they began collecting documents during World War I. Their collection grew to an astounding 22000 pieces. Books magazines newspapers archives photographs and objects. In 1917 they donated their collection to the state. It became the Bibliotheque-Musee de la Guerre the War Library-Museum.
The museum’s first curator was the painter Raoul Dufy. He resigned quickly. Rene-Jean a renowned art critic replaced him. He had already advised the Leblancs on building their collection. He used his connections to acquire artworks directly from artists. He obtained funding and secured state deposits. He envisioned the museum as a place of history and art.
After several temporary locations the BMG finally settled in the Chateau de Vincennes in 1924-1925. It shared space with historical services and army staffs. In 1934 the Bibliotheque-Musee de la Guerre transformed. It became the Bibliotheque de Documentation Internationale Contemporaine the BDIC.
World War II brought new challenges. The Chateau de Vincennes became a military zone. The BDIC’s staff files and reading room moved. Most of the collections remained in Vincennes. Precious items were safely stored in the Chateau de Chambord.
Unfortunately the German occupation impacted the BDIC. They plundered Chambord. They enforced the Otto List restricting access to certain books. Several librarians faced repercussions under the anti-Semitic laws.
Liberation brought more tragedy. The Germans detonated ammunition depots. The resulting fire destroyed most of the remaining collections. The museum’s recovery was a long arduous process. Collections were temporarily housed at the Musee du Luxembourg. Later they were split between the Fondation Belge and the Institut d’Art et d’Archeologie.
In 1970 the BDIC moved to the University of Paris X campus in Nanterre. The museum found a new home in the Hotel des Invalides. It later became the Museum of Contemporary History.
Finally in 2021 after decades of scattered collections a new building opened. 184 Cours Nicole Dreyfus Nanterre. La Contemporaine now houses a library archives and museum. It’s a testament to the perseverance of those who built it. It’s a living archive for all to explore. A symbol of history resilience and the enduring power of knowledge.