Defence Historical Service

The Service historique de la Défense (SHD ) is the central archives of the French Ministry of Defence and the French army. It was created by the Law of 17 January 2005.

Tasks

The SHD, a service with national competence, is the "direction de la mémoire du patrimoine et des archives " attached, one of the directorates of the " Secretariat-General pour l' administration" (SGA ) of the French Ministry of Defence.

The SHD includes

  • The Centre historique des archives in Vincennes and
  • The du Centre des archives de l' armement et personnel in Chatellerault.

Overall, the SHD secures 300 kilometers of shelving archival materials, of which 100 km in Vincennes and 70 km in Chatellerault. The SHD is the second- largest archive in France.

The SHD has also one of the most important libraries in France. It includes more than a million volumes ( 16th to 20th centuries ) and specializes in military history. In addition to rare editions and splendor volumes, it preserves numerous manuscripts ( including the geography book of the student Louis XVI. ) And originals of old maps and plans.

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