If you’re a bibliophile who is visiting Paris, the Bibliothèque Nationale de France Richelieu is a stop that’s worth your while. Located in the 2nd arrondissement, the Richelieu library — one of the five establishments that collectively make up the Bibliothèque Nationale de France (La BnF) — holds a specific claim to fame. Besides being one of the oldest libraries in the world, it is the historic site where manuscripts, books, and publications have been stored since 1721. For 12 years, the Richelieu location went through extensive renovations before revealing its stunning new look to the public in 2022, just a year past its 300th anniversary.
While tourists flock in droves to the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, or the Musée d’Orsay, the BnF is a hidden gem that is a less-crowded alternative to these famous landmarks. And, formerly closed off to the public, it is now free of charge to anyone who wants to bask in the presence of books while surrounded by sumptuous architecture and rich historical background, emphasizing why Paris is a top-ranked destination for any visitor, whether you’re in a group or solo traveling.
This isn’t a normal library — it’s a sprawling complex composed of a palace, a hotel, and recent structures, located within proximity of some of the city’s most renowned locations — the Palais-Royal, the covered passageway Galerie Vivienne, and the Opera. From the ornate Baroqueness of the Mazarin Galerie to the breathtaking volumes of the free-to-access Oval Room and the newly-opened BnF Museum, the Richelieu site is an under-the-radar destination that must not be missed.
The stunning rooms of the Bibliothéque nationale de France
The Louvre held the first collection of the Royal Library — some 1,200 manuscripts — during the 14th century under the reign of Charles V. Over the centuries, the collection had naturally grown immensely following the law that was put into effect by François I in 1537 that required the library’s acquisition of a copy of any French-printed publication. The collection was moved to Fontainebleau in 1544 and stayed there until 1721 when, by the King’s order, the library’s collection was settled into the western half of the Mazarin palace, now known as the Richelieu site.
By 1857, the modifications to the Mazarin Palace and the annexing of the surrounding structures (the Mansart Gallery and the Tubeuf Hotel) proved insufficient to house the library’s ever-growing collection. Architect Henry Labrouste set the groundwork for creating separate areas dedicated to storage, reading, and services, paving the way for a smoother experience for the library’s visitors. The Salle Labrouste (Labrouste Room), built in the 1860s, is an architectural masterpiece with nine domes soaring to lofty heights overhead, supported on cast-iron columns. In 1897, work on the Salle Ovale started to accommodate the growing collection, taking 35 years to complete. Here, a canopy of glass panels dominates the ceiling, decorated with gold acanthus leaves and mosaics. Sixteen oculi — circular openings — are spaced evenly below the dome.
Today, anyone is free to spend time reading or studying in the impressive Oval Room, surrounded by the shelves holding a total of 20,000 books — as long as you manage to snag yourself a coveted spot amongst the 160 study seats. Comic books, French history and literature books, and other topical subjects are available for perusal. Internet access and digital mediation booths are also free to access.
In the environs of the Bibliothéque Nationale de France
