Guides
Wayfinders for our collections, tools, and servicesFrench Studies: Reference shelf (dictionaries, encyclopedias, bibliographies)
Learn about the main discipline-specific primary and secondary source resources, select the most appropriate one for their research question, do simple searches, and access the desired content
Reference works
- Le grand Robert de la langue française : dictionnaire alphabétique et analogique de la langue françaiseLargest French dictionary that includes analogies, etymologies, citations, conjugations...
- Dictionnaires des 16e et 17e sièclesSearchable dictionaries of the French language.
- Godefroy, dictionnaire de l'ancienne langue françaiseDictionary of Old French and its dialects, 9-14th centuries
- Oxford bibliographiesA series of peer-reviewed annotated bibliographies on specific topics and links to Stanford resources - of particular interest are: Philosophy, Middle Ages, Renaissance and Reformation, Atlantic History, Art History
- Oxford handbooks onlineSearchable Oxford handbooks - in-depth essays by leading scholars and great way to start research or quickly fill a gap.
- Dictionnaire des journaux, 1600-1789Online version of the Dictionnaire des journaux, 1600-1789 and the Dictionnaire des journalistes, 1600-1789, both directed by Jean Sgard. Contains bibliographic and historical information about the periodical press of Old Regime France, including 1267 periodicals and 808 journalists. Includes full digital versions of 10 French language gazettes.
Libraries and Archives
- Archives editorialesDatabase of finding aids to archives of publishers in Francophone Europe and Canada.
- Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF)The website of the French national library, with access to specialized catalogs and Gallica, the French digital library.
- Catalogue collectif de FranceFrench national union catalog containing federated search of library catalogs throughout the country. Includes specialized catalogs for archival and manuscript materials, music, and Jewish libraries.
- FranceArchivesFrance's national archival platform, with a database of finding aids (inventaires) to collections in French repositories, and other resources.
- French Archive DirectoryShort write-ups by scholars with first-hand insights about doing research in French archives. From the Society for the Study of French History (UK)
Specialized guides and inventories
- Les Européens en Algérie (1830-1962) database of archival sourcesA guide to primary sources on the European populations of French Algeria located in public repositories in France
- Publications officielles - FranceGuide to French government publications, both historical and contemporary, including titles of official bulletins, series, etc. Links to finding aids and digital sources.
