Exhibition : en garde !

Fencing, between literary fiction and historical reality.

Indecisive duels, chases and incredible adventures...

In the collective imagination, fencing is often associated with a fictional character, foil or sword in hand, booted, gloved and wearing a feathered hat... But where does fiction end and reality begin?

Based on a 16th-century fencing treatise held by the Humanist Library, this exhibition invites visitors to explore different aspects of the discipline, from the 16th century to the present day, with one of Alexandre Dumas's masterpieces, The Three Musketeers, as its common thread.

Through a scenography linking literary accounts, fencing treatises, works of art and historical objects, the Library aims to explore the deep links between history and stories.

Exhibition organised as part of Strasbourg, UNESCO World Book Capital 2024.