The Hôtel des Coignard was built at the end of the 17th century and belonged to the Coignard family, the king's printer dynasty and the French academy.
Over time, this family residence has experienced several functions as well as several architectural evolutions. When the main street is widened, the outbuildings on the courtyard disappear. In the 19th century, an overhanging turret was added. No interior decoration remains except for the central staircase whose ironwork banister presents a characteristic baluster motif of the 17th century. Its facades, roofs and main staircase were listed in the inventory of historical monuments in 1991.
The Hôtel des Coignard was acquired by the city in 1917, the establishment houses the much loved library of François Cavanna, the museum of old Nogent, the police station and the district court. Today, the Hôtel des Coignard houses an exhibition gallery as well as the Francis Poulenc conservatory of music and drama, there are also organized cultural events, in particular the European Heritage Days.
