Creating French Culture. Treasures From The Bibliotheque Nationale De France – Tesniere, Marie-Helene & Le Roy Ladurie, Emmanuel Uitverkoop

From monastic cloisters in the time of Charlemagne to the book-lined studies of twentieth-century authors, this splendid book presents an overview of the literary and artistic world in France. The Bibliothèque nationale de France, today rich in collections of illuminated manuscripts, books, medals, maps, and prints, had its beginnings when Charles V established his library in the falcon tower of the Louvre. During the Middle Ages, culture was the handmaiden of Church and government; during the absolute mona…