A bequest to the town on his death, Emmanuel Lasserre bequeathed to the town of Sarlat his collections of books and works of art, along with his house, on condition that a library-museum be opened there.
Sarlat-la-Canéda
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Former Library
XIXᵉ siècle · Sarlat-la-Canéda
Former Library
The former municipal library of Sarlat
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Maison Lasserre, the former municipal library of Sarlat
·XIXᵉ siècle
At 32 rue de la République, this 19th-century neoclassical building was bequeathed to the town of Sarlat by Emmanuel Lasserre. A municipal library open to the public from 1930, the site closed its doors in August 2024, its collections moving to the new media library.
XIXᵉNeoclassical building
1924Bequest of Emmanuel Lasserre
1930Opening to the public
2024Closure of the site
History
The story, stage by stage
Scroll down to follow the monument's evolution. A one-minute read.
1924
1924The Lasserre bequest
Emmanuel Lasserre bequeaths his house, his books and his works of art to the town of Sarlat.
1930
1930The opening
The municipal library opens to the public at 32 rue de la République.
2024
2024The closure
The site closes in August 2024; the collections move to the new media library.
Key figures
The great figures involved
The places
Explore the building
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Did you know?
3 things to remember
The end of an era after nearly a century, the library closed its doors in August 2024, its collections moving to Sarlat's new media library.
The site's future
A second life for the Maison Lasserre?
Closed in August 2024 after its collections moved out, the Maison Lasserre awaits a new use in the very heart of town. Its future is in your hands.
256 habitants ont déjà donné leur avis · la commune s'en saisira.
Maison Lasserre of the Arts
A cabinet of curiosities and exhibitions recalling the collector's bequest.
162 votes
Community hub & coworking
A shared space for work, workshops and mutual support at 32 rue de la République.
107 votes
Heritage bookshop-café
A bookshop and tearoom devoted to local history and the Périgord.
74 votes
Housing in the town centre
Rehabilitating the neoclassical building into housing to bring the centre back to life.
36 votes
Another idea for this place?Propose your vision: it will be put to the vote and passed on to the town.
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Questions
The questions we get asked
Who do we owe this library to?
To the magistrate Emmanuel Lasserre, who on his death in 1924 left his house, his books and his art collection to the town of Sarlat, on condition that a library and museum be opened there. It opened to the public in 1930.
Why did the library close?
It closed its doors in August 2024, after nearly a century of activity. Its collections moved to Sarlat's new intercommunal media library.
What is left to see inside?
The coffered-ceiling room, made from 1928 by the Parisian artist Baudson, which welcomed readers for nearly a century. And the second-floor flat, still laid out as an early twentieth-century Sarlat townhouse.
Is the building listed?
No, it is not protected as a historic monument. Its interest lies in its interior decor and in the story of the Lasserre bequest.
5,0· 4 avis de visiteurs
V
Visiteur
Septembre 2026
M
Monika
Août 2026 · Visite virtuelle
F
Felix
Août 2026 · Visite virtuelle
The great hall
P
pro.louisrichard
Juillet 2026 · Visite virtuelle
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Map & access
Getting there
32 rue de la République, 24200 Sarlat-la-Canéda · Dordogne
Support this monument
Support Ancienne Bibliothèque project
Every donation directly funds the upkeep and restoration of this monument.
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