In the 1860s, Seine-et-Marne was the sole department in France lacking a learned society focused on sciences, letters, and arts.

The society was proposed to bring together scholars of Seine-et-Marne, encouraging research in history and archaeology while organizing prizes, scientific trips, excavations, and regular publications.

[3] With over 260 founding members, the society was made up of five sections based on the following districts of Seine-et-Marne: Membership reached 191 during a general meeting in Melun on 17 July 1864.

[1] The public session for electing the society's Central Office occurred on 23 October 1864 in the grand salon of the Melun Town Hall, accompanied by music from the Mounted Chasseurs of the Imperial Guard.

[4] In Meaux on 21 May 1866, the Archaeology, Sciences, Letters, and Arts Society of Seine-et-Marne held its inaugural public session of the year.

The session opened at the Hôtel de Ville with a performance of a piece by Daniel Auber, played by the Lancers of the Guard regiment under Mr. Hippolyte Martin's direction.