French National Library (Bibliothèque Nationale de France)

The Basics

Designed to evoke books standing near the Seine, the French National Library (Bibliothèque Nationale de France) has two main sections: a public library and a research library. Admission is charged at both, but exhibition tickets include access to the public reading rooms. Lunch and dinner cruises on the river Seine pass by the library, as do half-day bicycle tours that focus on food markets. It’s also possible to visit the library independently.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The French National Library is a must for those interested in architecture.

• The library has free Wi-Fi and computers for public use, as well as an on-site café and restaurant.

• Library tours are sometimes available in English.

• A coat check is available on-site, but bags must be carry-on size or smaller.

How to Get There

The French National Library is located on Quai François Mauriac in the 13th arrondissement, across the Seine from the Parc de Bercy. To get there by public transit, take Metro line 6 or 14 or the RER C to Bibliothèque François Mitterrand. If you’re exploring Paris on foot, the most dramatic approach to the French National Library is from the pedestrian bridge Passerelle Simone de Beauvoir, which links the library to the Parc de Bercy.

When to Get There

Visit the French National Library’s public reading rooms Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 8pm (exhibits close at 7pm) and Sunday from 1pm to 7pm. Entrance fees to the public reading rooms are waived from 5pm to 8pm.

The Forest Inside the French National Library

The four towers—the standing “books”—that make up the French National Library are eye-catching, but there’s far more to the site than can be seen from a distance. Reading rooms look down on a forest garden of birches, oaks, and other trees, including full-size pine trees from Normandy. Since the forest was installed in 1994, it’s become a haven for birds in the city.

Ways to explore

Set aside at least an hour for the Oval Room (great for families with its many comics) and other parts of the library that are free and open to the public. Add on another hour, if not two, to visit the library’s museum, known as the Mazarin Gallery, which occupies seven rooms and features hundreds of artifacts, from ancient Sumerian tablets to an original manuscript by the Marquis de Sade. Access to the museum is ticketed, and you can decide whether to add on the temporary exhibit, which changes throughout the year. You can arrange a guided tour upon request.

Accessibility

The library is wheelchair-accessible, and wheelchairs are available on loan from the cloakroom.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Camera, phone, wallet

What to wear

Whatever you’d like, but a studious-looking cardigan or a tweed jacket with elbow patches certainly fits the vibe.

Not allowed

Smoking or vaping, consuming outside food or drink, using flash when taking pictures. Backpacks, umbrellas, and bulky bags must be checked in the cloakroom.

Amenities

Café, gardens, visitor support, Wi-Fi

Address

The French National Library occupies four sites across Paris. But the most visited (home to the Oval Room and museum) is on Rue de Richelieu in the heart of Paris, in the city’s 2nd arrondissement. It can be easily reached by public transportation, as well as Vélib, the bike-sharing service.

Driving

Although it’s possible to reach the French National Library by car, the more convenient option is to take public transportation or walk. Consider taking a rideshare or taxi instead.

Public transportation

The nearest metro stations are Bourse on line 2, Palais-Royal-Musée du Louvre on lines 1 and 7, and Pyramides on lines 7 and 14. Bus lines 20, 29, 39, 74, and 85 all stop near the library.

Best times to visit

Come early to snag a coveted seat in the Oval Room.

Best days to visit

On Tuesday evenings, the French National Library offers special after-hours admission. It is closed on Mondays.

Best months to visit

The weather in Paris is best in spring and fall. Early summer is another ideal weather window; avoid August, when Parisians go on vacation and businesses close.

Special events

Free admission is offered on November 11, which marks Armistice Day and celebrates the end of World War I, as well as May 8, which commemorates the triumph of Allied Powers over Nazi Germany and the end of World War II.