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It was founded on October 10, 1794, during the French Revolution. It was first proposed by the abbot Henri Grégoire as a "depository for machines, models, tools, drawings, descriptions and books in all the areas of the arts and trades"[1]. The deserted priory of Saint-Martin-des-Champs was selected as the site of collection, which formally opened in 1802.
Originally charged with the collection of inventions, it has since become an educational institution. At the present time, it is known primarally a continuing education school for adults seeking engineering degrees.
The collection of inventions is now operated as the Musée des Arts et Métiers.