Opening of the Hostiarii Museum in the Premises of the National School of Procedure of Paris

 

The idea of creating a museum on the history of the profession of judicial officer long germinated in the mind of Jacques Isnard. Hostiarii is the name under which the first judicial officers (huissiers) were known in France. Hostiarii is also the name of two collective books on the history of the profession published in 1997 and 2002 under the leadership of the former president of the UIHJ. President Isnard is a long time collector of documents, books and articles on the profession. He wanted his collection of hundreds of pieces to benefit the greatest number. For its part, the National School of Procedure of Paris (ENP) has just moved into its new premises in Paris. It was enough to give birth to the first museum on the history of the profession of judicial officer.

We are back in November 2014, a few days before the permanent council of the UIHJ. In the premises of the ENP, all the workers are very busy. Jacques Isnard, René Duperray, former secretary general of the UIHJ, Luisa Lozano, secretary of the UIHJ and Kelly Fouere, collaborator of the ENP are equally busy. The traditional evening of the Permanent Council is held this year in the new premises of the ENP, at the invitation of its president, Jean-Michel Rouzaud. Everything must be ready for the first visit to the museum to be organised before the official opening. On that day, after great efforts, the members of the UIHJ could discover the treasures of the museum as a preview.

On 20 March 2015, many had convened for the opening:  judicial officers, academics, ENP trainers, notaries, judges, representatives of the UIHJ, members of the Executive Council of the ENP and representatives of the National Chamber judicial officers of France.

President Rouzaud thanked President Isnard to have been at the initiative of this unique project and for the donation of his collection acquired for over fifty years which includes articles of inestimable historical value.

For his part, President Isnard warmly thanked the ENP for hosting in its premises the Hostiarii Museum and for having giving life to his project.

The museum includes on the ground floor a library consisting of hundreds of books on the profession, some dating back to before the French Revolution. These books are intended for research. They can be consulted on location.

In the basement, the magnificent vaulted cellars are home to other treasures: acts of judicial officers, appointment decrees, posters, costumes, lithographs, newspapers, objects used by judicial officer ... Tirelessly, President Isnard has already begun the visit...

The Hostiarii Museum is open to all. It is waiting for you!

Contact:

Hostiarii Museum
11/13 rue Notre-Dame-des-Victoires
75002 Paris - France
Metro: Bourse

ENP
Kelly Fouere: +33 1 49 70 92 17
enp-fouere@huissier-justice.fr

UIHJ
Luisa Lozano: +33 1 42 40 89 48
uihj@uihj.com

Thanks to Stéphane Rollot for the photos.