Photo : Henri Manuel, Musée Carnavalet - Histoire de Paris
In Detention
Conference cycle as part of the Prisonnières exhibition, the final years of the Saint-Lazare prison (1919-1932)
Archives de Paris (Paris 19th)
About
The Paris City History Committee, the Histoire et vies du 10e association, and the Françoise Sagan Library offer a series of conferences on the theme of detention, designed to complement, enrich, and broaden the scope of the Prisonnières (Female Prisoners) exhibition currently presented at the library.
Saturday, October 24 at 3:00 PM: Managing Prostitution in Paris: From the 'Police des Demoiselles' to the Brigade for the Repression of Procuring - Clémence Kudela, Valorization Officer at the Police Prefecture Museum. Location: Françoise Sagan Library
Tuesday, November 3 at 7:00 PM: In Blue Ink. Recovering the History of Tattooed Women in French Prison Archives (1881-1950) - Jeanne Barnicaud, PhD candidate, University Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. Location: Françoise Sagan Library
Wednesday, November 18 at 7:00 PM: A Brief History of Writing in Prison (19th-20th centuries) - Philippe Artières, Director of Research at CNRS. Location: 10th Arrondissement Town Hall
Wednesday, November 25 at 7:00 PM: Henri Manuel, Prison Photographer During the Interwar Period - Fabienne Huard-Hardy, Head of the CRHCP (Resource Center on the History of Crimes and Punishments), National School of Penitentiary Administration. Location: Françoise Sagan Library
Wednesday, December 2 at 5:00 PM: Prison Archives: Sources and Perspectives for a History of Carceral Experiences - Elsa Génard, Lecturer, Sorbonne Paris Nord University/Pléiade. Location: Archives of Paris
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Our take on this event
Step behind the heavy iron bars of history to explore the secret narratives of Parisian jails. Through this cycle of expert-led talks, you will uncover everything from the sociology of incarceration to the intimate traces left by inmates throughout the ages.
The En détention conference series invites you to explore the history of the prison system through three distinct sessions held from November 18 to December 2, 2026. Organized by the City of Paris History Committee, the Histoire et vies du 10e association, and the Françoise Sagan library, this cycle is designed for an adult audience aged 18 and over. Topics range from prisoner writing to penal photography and archive research. Attendance is free of charge for all sessions, though booking is mandatory; you may secure your spot online, by phone, or in person at the library.
Designed to complement the Prisonnières exhibition, these conferences provide expert academic perspectives on carceral life. The remaining sessions start on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at 19:00 with Philippe Artières discussing the history of prison writing. On Wednesday, November 25, 2026, at 19:00, Fabienne Huard-Hardy will examine the photography of Henri Manuel during the interwar period. The series concludes on Wednesday, December 2, 2026, at 17:00 at the Archives de Paris, where Elsa Génard will focus on the use of prison records as historical sources.
Entry is free for all attendees 18 years of age or older. Advance booking is required and can be arranged online, by phone, or directly with the librarians. The event locations are wheelchair-accessible and include specific facilities for blind or visually impaired guests.
