Rue Cardinal Fesch

Built by order of Cardinal Fesch from 1827, the palace was completed around 1837. Caseneuve, the government architect, was responsible for the design of the reading room. Frasseto was the executor of the cardinal's plans. The palace consists of three buildings arranged around a central courtyard. The library is located in the north wing of the three buildings and was inaugurated on 14 May 1850. The library's holdings come from revolutionary confiscations, state consignments, and bequests from famous people and local scholars. It was founded by Lucien Bonaparte in 1801, who endowed it with 12310 works. The library has three rooms, but only the first one is accessible to the public. The light penetrates there by 16 bays. This large volume is characteristic of libraries built during the Second Empire. The woodwork, shelves and reading tables are made of walnut. Classified as a historical monument since 1976.