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Apart from the students during their long days of studying, not a lot of Parisians and even less tourists dare to enter Paris libraries. Yet, they’re free of charge and are filled with thousands of books ready to feed your spirit. Coming in the Bibliothèque Richelieu is like walking through the history of France. The origin of this library goes way back to the 18th century, a time during which the Palais Mazarin was in the middle of Paris. Since then, the Bibliothèque Richlieu has been between so many expert hands, it’s an architectural gem you have to visit!
The Richelieu location of the French National Library (BnF) has, after 10-year renovations, now opened its fabulous interiors and collections to the general public. In its 58,000m2 of surface and thirteen floors you can now find a café, a garden and a bookstore too. The splendid oval room - one of the most famous reading areas of the library - has a renewed cultural offer, including for children!
All rooms have been renovated or refurbished with an ensemble of six reading rooms for specialized departments: Performing arts, Etchings and Maps and plans, Etching, Manuscripts and Music Storage Room, Coins, medals and antique. The oval room can seat up to 150 people, and is free of charge. And you can just visit it if you wish, thanks to a delimited tour paced with info. A playful area has been created for the youngest including a dressing room to virtually try on period costumes.
Paris is on a roll this year with another award winning location. After a long renovation the Bibliothèque Nationale has recently re-opened with a superbly restored reading room and a new museum to visit. And the best thing? It is now open for all.
The reading rooms are free of charge, from where you can admire the stunning architecture. Like the stunning Salle Ovale, a huge oval reading room from the late 19th century in an elegant Art Nouveau style with arched recesses housing the bookshelves and a stunning 18-meter, glass-paneled roof.
For just a small entry cost, you'll also be able to view the historic treasures in the library’s collection, some of which even date back to the Middle Ages. Not every bit of the history is behind glass: There are digital facilities too, such as the opportunity for a virtual try-on of costumes from bygone eras.
Can you believe all of this is found a stone’s throw from the Palais Royal?
