The Municipal Archives
Housed in a 17th-century building that was once a silk works and the oldest pawnshop in France, the Municipal Archives preserve the historical records of the City of Avignon.
The Municipal Archives of Avignon are located in a grand 17th-century building at 6 Rue Saluces. Originally constructed in 1610 as a silk conditioning works, it was later repurposed into a Mont-de-Piété (pawnshop) before eventually becoming the secure repository for the city's historical records.
This building is historically significant because of its deep ties to the financial and industrial evolution of Avignon. Beyond its role in the booming silk trade, its time as a Mont-de-Piété is especially notable, as it operated as the very first official pawnshop established in France.
When visiting the site, you are presented with a large, imposing administrative building that reflects the serious nature of its past and present functions. Inside, alongside the quiet, climate-controlled archive rooms, visitors can view specific historical exhibits detailing the building's industrial and financial past.
Despite the many modern renovations required to safely house centuries of delicate paper records, the building still hides traces of its industrial origins. You can still spot original 17th-century architectural elements from the days when the structure served as a massive, bustling hub for the silk trade.