Bibliothèque municipale de Besançon
Encyclopedia
Bibliothèque municipale de Besançon is the most important library in Besançon
, but also the first French building which was constructed to be the public library.
A big part of the collection came from Nicolas Perrenot de Granvelle
and his son Antoine
. In 1808, was established a building for the library, on the plans of the architect Franche-Comté
Denis Lapret. In time of French revolution confiscations were made in the religious communities and in the emigrants of the region. They were donated for the library.
The building was finished in 1817, and will open officially on April 27th, 1818. The building will be several times extended to in 1839 when it took its actual form, composed of four bodies buildings around a central courtyard.
The Ministry of Culture and Communication digitized the 167 illuminated manuscripts of the library.
The library of Besançon holds more than 500 000 handwritten documents, forms, drawings, engravings, currencies, medals, stamps, coins... making of this place one of the richest libraries in France.
Several liturgical manuscripts are beautifully illuminated, the Psalter of Bonmont (13th century) or manuscripts illuminated for the archbishops of Besançon and Charles de Neuchâtel particularly.
The 14th century manuscript "The Day of Judgement", catalogued as Ms. 579, contains 89 miniatures depicting the action of the play and three neumed musical pieces.
Besançon BM 434 contains textbooks for Charles V
: book of educations of the princes, 49 miniatures, made by several artists having worked on the copy of Trips of Jean de Mandeville.
Besançon
Besançon , is the capital and principal city of the Franche-Comté region in eastern France. It had a population of about 237,000 inhabitants in the metropolitan area in 2008...
, but also the first French building which was constructed to be the public library.
History
The library was founded in 1694, when the Benedictine abbot Jean-Baptiste Boisot (1638-1694) presented his personal collections to the abbey Saint - Vincent in Besançon, but under only one condition that this collection will available for the public use. The fond of Jean-Baptiste Boisot is unusually rich.A big part of the collection came from Nicolas Perrenot de Granvelle
Nicolas Perrenot de Granvelle
Nicolas Perrenot de Granvelle was a French politician who served Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor as Minister of Justice, and a close trusted adviser. He was made suzerain of the imperial city of Besançon and held an influential position in the Netherlands. From 1530 until his death he was one of the...
and his son Antoine
Antoine Perrenot de Granvelle
Antoine Perrenot de Granvelle , Comte de La Baume Saint Amour, was a Burgundian statesman, made a cardinal, who followed his father as a leading minister of the Spanish Habsburgs, and was one of the most influential European politicians during the time which immediately followed the appearance of...
. In 1808, was established a building for the library, on the plans of the architect Franche-Comté
Franche-Comté
Franche-Comté the former "Free County" of Burgundy, as distinct from the neighbouring Duchy, is an administrative region and a traditional province of eastern France...
Denis Lapret. In time of French revolution confiscations were made in the religious communities and in the emigrants of the region. They were donated for the library.
The building was finished in 1817, and will open officially on April 27th, 1818. The building will be several times extended to in 1839 when it took its actual form, composed of four bodies buildings around a central courtyard.
The Ministry of Culture and Communication digitized the 167 illuminated manuscripts of the library.
The library of Besançon holds more than 500 000 handwritten documents, forms, drawings, engravings, currencies, medals, stamps, coins... making of this place one of the richest libraries in France.
Collection
The library contains about 1000 incunabula and 2800 mediaeval manuscripts. The most ancient of manuscripts date of the 7th century, the most part are the 15th century.Several liturgical manuscripts are beautifully illuminated, the Psalter of Bonmont (13th century) or manuscripts illuminated for the archbishops of Besançon and Charles de Neuchâtel particularly.
The 14th century manuscript "The Day of Judgement", catalogued as Ms. 579, contains 89 miniatures depicting the action of the play and three neumed musical pieces.
Besançon BM 434 contains textbooks for Charles V
Charles V of France
Charles V , called the Wise, was King of France from 1364 to his death in 1380 and a member of the House of Valois...
: book of educations of the princes, 49 miniatures, made by several artists having worked on the copy of Trips of Jean de Mandeville.