The Rare Books section is home to ancient and modern books.

Highlights of the collection include manuscripts dating back to the late Middle Ages, some 30 incunabula (including the Nuremberg Chronicle), books from the 16th to 21st centuries and a collection of old Art Nouveau and contemporary bindings.

There are also almost 10,000 autographs (kings of France, Napoleon, The Beatles, etc.) and medals, stamps and some 600 engravings and lithographs by Félicien Rops.

Documents relating to the specific fields of history, art history, archaeology, bibliology and museology can be accessed by readers and are also available for consultation in the reading room.