The library of the Institut de France, created in 1796, has a double vocation of heritage library and research, intended for the members of the five academies constituting the Institute, as well as the research community. It keeps very rich and varied collections, ranging from antiquity to the present day, estimated at 1,500,000 printed and nearly 10,000 manuscripts, plus thousands of prints, maps and plans, drawings, photographs, as well as medals and various objects.

The six scrolls of papyrus offered by the King of Naples to Napoleon Bonaparte, then First Consul, and deposited at the Institute, constitute one of the treasures of the library. They come from the villa called "Papyrus" which contained a large number of philosophical manuscripts including those - otherwise unknown - of the epicurean philosopher Philodemus of Gadara.

Reading tests were conducted in the nineteenth century by unfolding papyrus, resulting in the irremediable fragmentation of two of them. Over the past fifteen years, new non-invasive , respecting the integrity of intact volumina as best as possible, have been conducted by Professor Seales' team, as well as a separate study using different techniques by the Franco-Italian team of Mr. Daniel Delattre, emeritus research director at the CNRS, and Mr. Vito Mocella, from the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche.

Created in 1795, the Institut de France provides its five Academies (French, humanities, sciences, fine arts, moral and political sciences) with a harmonious environment in which to perfect the humanities, sciences and arts, on a non-profit basis. As a leading patron, it supports research and creation by providing awards, grants and subsidies (every year, the foundations it hosts donate over 23 million euros). Placed under the protection of the President of the French Republic, it is also in charge of a considerable artistic heritage including the Palais du Quai de Conti, the Mazarine Library and three other important libraries, and many houses and collections bequeathed to it since the end of the 19th century. These include the Château de Chantilly, Chaalis Abbey, the Jacquemart-André museum, the Château de Langeais, Kerazan Manor and the Greek Villa Kérylos.

