Architectural tour Explore the last factory in Paris
What if you were to visit 11 Quai de Conti, the historical site of the Monnaie de Paris, focusing on something other than the treasures it contains?
Discover the building itself via the architecture tour. The premises are a work of art in themselves and a significant piece of French cultural heritage given their history and exceptional architecture.
A MANUFACTURE WITH THE FEEL OF A PALACE
The Monnaie de Paris is in a prestigious location opposite the Louvre and the Pont Neuf. Designed by architect Jacques-Denis Antoine, the building has housed coin and medal manufacturing and production facilities since the 18th century and today also hosts around fifteen crafts.
Prestige and rationality make the Monnaie de Paris a veritable Temple of Fortune. The building is designed to serve its purpose as a coin minting workshop.
From the riverside, you can glimpse the majestic main courtyard which gives a highly symbolic view through the entry gate and draws the onlooker’s eye to the site’s nerve centre: the Great Minting workshop.
The Hôtel de Conti was the only building preserved during these works and Jacques-Denis Antoine was committed to integrating the new buildings harmoniously alongside it. He took inspiration from Ange-Jacques Gabriel, who created the Petit Trianon château in the grounds of the Palace of Versailles, and Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio.
From the courtyard, you can see into the reduction engraving workshop, allowing you to observe one of the key tool manufacture processes. To explore other workshops and learn about the secrets of coin manufacture, continue your visit with the 11 Conti Museum.
Seven panels will guide you as you go around the building outdoor walk, through courtyards and passages. For the complete experience, take advantage of our guided tours.