National Library
The François-Mitterrand Library
National Library
The Biblioteca Nacional de Francia, also known as BNF is the most important library in the country, with four equidistant glass-and-steel buildings designed to resemble open books (known as the towers of time, letters, numbers, and law).
To avoid confusion with the equally important Bibliothèque Richelieu-Louvois (whose beautiful reading room is well worth a visit), we will refer to this one as the Biblioteca François-Mitterrand.
This library, located in the Quartier de la Gare, alongside the Seine, opened to the public in 1998 and houses a collection of more than 30 million volumes, as well as a modern digital library.
Collections
Among these collections are rare works sourced from foreign libraries and confiscations dating back to the time of the Revolution, including documents from abbeys, colleges, and universities, as well as maps, manuscripts, newspapers, and photographs covering every field of culture.
In addition to the reading rooms, there are two exhibition halls and two auditoriums for conferences and concerts. In the west lobby stand the Globes de Coronelli — two enormous globes representing the earth and the sky, gifted by a Venetian monk to King Louis XIV.
Undoubtedly a landmark institution for the French-speaking world, and a fascinating place to discover in Paris alongside other interesting sights.
Nearby Places
Prices
Free
Hours
Monday 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM for researchers; Tuesday to Saturday 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM; Sunday 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Address
Quai François Mauriac 11
Getting There
Metro lines 6 and 14, Bibliothèque François Mitterrand, Quai de la Gare, and Chevaleret stations / RER: line C, Bibliothèque François Mitterrand station
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