# Mexico-France cultural exchange of historical codices

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mexico-france-cultural-exchange-of-historical-codices
> Updated: 2026-09-21T09:25:40.000Z. Sources: 24. Developments: 2.

The Codex Azcatitlan, a 16th-century manuscript detailing Mexica history and the Spanish conquest, has returned to Mexico for a temporary exhibition at the National Museum of Anthropology. The document had been held in France since 1840.

This return is part of a bilateral cultural exchange between Mexico and France celebrating the bicentennial of their diplomatic relations. Under an agreement coordinated by President Claudia Sheinbaum and President Emmanuel Macron, the Codex Azcatitlan will be displayed in Mexico City through December 2026, while the Codex Boturini is being sent to the National Library of France in Paris. The initiative follows requests from the Hñähñu indigenous community of Ixmiquilpan.

## Claims

- The Codex Azcatitlan is being temporarily exhibited at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The exchange is part of the bicentennial of diplomatic relations between Mexico and France. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The manuscript depicts the history of the Mexica people, including their migration from Aztlán. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Codex Boturini is being lent to the National Library of France as part of a bilateral exchange. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The Codex Azcatitlan will be on display in Mexico until December 2026. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The Hñähñu indigenous community of Ixmiquilpan requested the return of the manuscript. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The manuscript has been in France for 186 years. (single source)
- The Codex Azcatitlan contains 25 folios of European paper. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-21: Codex Azcatitlan returns to Mexico for temporary exhibition

The Codex Azcatitlan has returned to Mexico from France for a temporary exhibition at the National Museum of Anthropology, marking a bilateral cultural exchange celebrating 200 years of diplomatic relations.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/codex-azcatitlan-returns-to-mexico-for-temporary-exhibition

### 2026-09-17: Codex Azcatitlan returns to Mexico for bicentennial celebration

The Codex Azcatitlan has returned to Mexico for a temporary exhibition at the National Museum of Anthropology, marking 200 years of diplomatic relations between Mexico and France.

21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/codex-azcatitlan-returns-to-mexico-on-loan-from-france

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Cite as: Mexico-France cultural exchange of historical codices. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mexico-france-cultural-exchange-of-historical-codices