For more than two centuries, France has had a unique institution, open to all, dedicated to the learning of languages and civilizations from five continents. The École spéciale des langues orientales, known today as the Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales (Inalco), was created in 1795. It was at the time a new type of school, public, free, dedicated to teaching modern languages for public and commercial purposes. At the beginning of the 19th century, about ten languages were taught, compared to a hundred today.
The theme "Heritage in danger: revive, resist, reimagine" of this 43rd edition of the European Heritage Days echoes this former mansion built in 1716. After having housed several successive tenants, the Hôtel de Bernage was assigned to the École des langues orientales in 1873, which adapted it for its new functions. The architect Louis Faure-Dujarric took great care in interior design by multiplying orientalizing references.
The public will be able to discover this building so special with its various heritage treasures and enjoy a free, documented visit tracing singular history of the establishment renovated in 2019. Several architectural elements, including the floor mosaics, the monumental staircase, as well as the moldings and medallions of the historic salons, have received the "Heritage of Regional Interest" label of the Île-de-France region in 2020. In particular, the public will have the opportunity to consult the volumes of the Description de l'Égypte kept at the Inalco, a monumental work resulting from Napoleon’s military campaign in Egypt.
Inalco, also known as "Langues O", offers today a unique expertise of languages and societies from a secular experience. No institution, no country, offers such a diversity of courses, openness and wealth of knowledge. The institution is a key player in promoting and preserving the world’s languages and civilizations.
In parallel with the visits, one of INALCO’s student associations will offer a workshop on calligraphy of the Arabic alphabet. A Speed searching - short presentations of research topics for the general public - will be carried out by some PhD students.
The Inalco Research Centre will be open to the public on Saturday, 19 September from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. (last entries at 5.30 p.m.). Admission is free and open to all.
