This imposing mansion, built from 1705 to 1709 for the Princesse de Rohan, is one of two main buildings housing the national archives. (The other is the Hôtel de Rohan.) The Hôtel de Soubise displays a majestic courtyard and a magnificent interior decoration dating from 1735 to 1740 by some of the most gifted painters and craftsmen of the day: Carl Van Loo, Jean Restout, Charles Nattier, and François Boucher. Natoire's rocaille work on the Princess's bedroom, the Oval Salon, forms part of the Musée de l'Histoire de France. Other exhibits include Napoleon's will, in which he asks for his remains to be returned to France, and letters from Joan of Arc and Voltaire. read more