The living history of Mines Paris – PSL: a heritage of excellence turned towards the future

On the occasion of the European Heritage Days 2025, Mines Paris – PSL opens the doors of its historic building, the Hôtel de Vendôme, a jewel of the early 18th century. This visit allows the public to discover an exceptional heritage: its library, its Mineralogy museum, its garden, but also the main current orientations of the School. This 2025 edition offers a free and open course. Ranked among the oldest engineering schools in France, Mines Paris – PSL combines historical heritage and cutting-edge scientific research, inscribing its history in the continuity of a living heritage gesture: that of a science at the service of society.

Accessibility notice: Due to the historical layout of the building, the tour route is unfortunately not accessible to persons with reduced mobility.

Cutting-edge research, at the service of current challenges

Visitors will discover how the School’s heritage resonates with today’s major scientific challenges: ecological transition, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, mineral resources, health… Research with a double impact, nourished by the constant dialogue between science and industry.

Throughout the course, mediation panels will highlight the contemporary challenges addressed by Mines Paris – PSL. The scientific excellence of the School is thus anchored in the continuity of its history, at the very heart of the heritage site of the Hôtel de Vendôme.

The Hôtel de Vendôme

The school has been located since 1815 in the Hôtel de Vendôme, dating from the very beginning of the 18th century and which was expanded in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Founded in 1783 by Louis XVI on the advice of Balthazar Sage, a French chemist and mineralogist, it responded to the growing needs of the mining industry, a strategic sector for France. Faithful to this legacy of science at the service of society, Mines Paris – PSL has been able to adapt and today trains students to meet the major current challenges. Its heritage building presents these major historical milestones, and is today the reflection of this evolution.

The library

With its glass roof and classified woodwork, the library is one of the hidden jewels of the school. This one, in addition to preserving rare books, benefits from a huge digital database. It is today a true aggregator of knowledge from training and research, guaranteeing the traceability and independence of scientific knowledge produced by the School.

The Museum of Mineralogy

For more than 200 years, the museum’s mineralogical collections have been among the most complete and spectacular in the world. They contain some 100,000 samples, 4,000 of which are presented in a display case: minerals, rocks, meteorites, precious stones – including gems from the Crown Jewels of France – are displayed in a gallery with an invaluable historical and patrimonial cachet. Anchored in current events, the museum raises awareness of issues related to rare earths and the management of mineral resources.

The garden of the School

Usually closed to the public, this haven of greenery, located on a privileged location in the heart of the 6th arrondissement and offering views of the rear facade and terrace of the building, as well as an overview of the Luxembourg Garden and the Senate’s greenhouses, will be accessible for a contemplative break within this historic site.

Free registration required

The JEPs in our PSL University

PSL University participates in the European Heritage Days. On September 20 and 21, 2025, free or guided tours, games, historical experiences, conferences and workshops await you within the walls of these exceptional buildings, rarely open to the public.

The establishments of PSL

The PSL University is made up of schools and institutes developing cutting-edge research and creations, foci of creation and artistic emulation. These hundred-year-old establishments, as well as their museums and libraries, are home to treasures sometimes unknown to the public. On the occasion of the JEP, push the doors of PSL to discover the stories, scientific instruments, paintings, statues, drawings, photographs, glass plates, furniture, decorations and manuscripts that await you!

Quiz Course PSL

During the JEP, go in search of the secrets of the University buildings by playing the PSL Quiz: Will you be able to recognize the historical figures depicted on this facade, or find the origin of these strange traces on the ground? Find the QR codes that are hidden around buildings, scan, observe your environment and answer questions!

Programming of the University’s open institutions