The eternal provisional

“Nothing lasts as long as the provisional”, is an old proverb whose value “The Future” proves to us once again, saying:
The extension of rue de Rennes was to follow that of boulevard Haussmann, and the Institute being directly interested in this high-style operation which will free up its residence, our academicians researched in their archives what exactly their rights of occupation of the building were. Mazarin Palace. And they found this curious imperial decree of March 20, 1805: “The Institute will be transferred from the location it occupies at the Louvre, to the Quatre-Nations building (Palais Mazarin), which it will occupy until the new premises intended for him at the Louvre are arranged.
This decree of Napoleon has never been repealed, and thus the Institut de France has only temporarily occupied the Mazarin Palace... for one hundred and eighteen years! This is a provisional which undoubtedly holds the record for duration, and it has every chance of becoming permanent.