Audrey Azoulay, Minister of Culture and Communication, today addressed the Ministerial Technical Committee to announce new momentum for the National Archives, which combines memory, heritage and creation as part of the redeployment of the National Archives on the sites of Paris and Pierrefitte-sur-Seine.
Redeployment, missions, access to public data... a new horizon for the National Archives
Redeployment to two sites
Following the protection in March 2014 of two buildings at the Fontainebleau site due to the risk of collapse, the Minister announced her decision to close the site and redeploy the National Archives project at two sites: a heritage, at the Rohan Soubise Quadrilateral in Paris, the other contemporary and part of Greater Paris, in Pierrefitte-sur-Seine, inaugurated in 2013 by the President of the Republic.
The Minister pays tribute to the considerable work carried out by the agents of the National Archives on the site of Fontainebleau which has enabled its development especially in the management of contemporary archives, In the early 1980s, there was an increase in the number of electronic records. A personalised support system for the 42 staff assigned to Fontainebleau will be put in place, allowing everyone to find a position corresponding to their qualifications and experience.
Rethinking the missions of the National Archives
This redeployment will be accompanied by work to rethink the missions carried out by the National Archives. The Minister instructed the Director of the National Archives to carry out this prospective project of organization and distribution of the services currently present in Fontainebleau on the sites of Paris and Pierrefitte, through the elaboration of a new scientific project, cultural and educational, shared with all agents.
The National Archives will benefit from significant investments in order to ensure that they function and reach their missions, both on the Pierrefitte-sur-Seine site and on the historic site of Paris.
A national strategy for access to public archives in the digital age
At the same time, the minister wants to launch a national strategy for access to public archives in the digital age. This will have to take into account the issues of protection of personal data, the right to information and the equality of all citizens to access to memory.