Expat with Kids in Paris: BNF, the French National Library

November 24, 2019

BNF, the French National Library

November weekends can be pretty dreary in Paris. The temptation to stay at home stuck to your computer or watching TV is great and even though we always have plans for Saturday night, it seems like a waste not to take advantage of all the city has to offer... no matter how grey it might be outside.

Therefore, in defiance of the gilets jaunes, the women's march, and the rain I had booked two tickets for a guided tour around the National Library of France, Richelieu - otherwise known to the locals as the BNF - that just reopening after years of renovation.

The Richelieu library first opened to the public in 1868, making it one of the oldest centres for learning in Paris, who knew?

Today, the BNF is a public establishment under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture. Its mission is to constitute collections, especially the copies of works published in France that must, by law, be deposited there, conserve them, and make them available to the public.

We spent the next 90 minutes listening to a charming architecture master student share her extensive knowledge on the building's history - and its additions over the centuries -, the design of the oval Labrouste reading room and indeed also the corridors and specialised manuscript sections where the current collection of 40 million items includes many ancient manuscripts, and a collection of Greek and Roman pottery.

The atmosphere was peaceful and hushed and the reading room was being well-used on a Saturday afternoon... however, I admit I was relieved to be only a visitor and not a student!

Kaleidoscopic oval reading room designed by academic architect Jean-Louis Pascal

The building was designed by Henri Labrouste and when he died in 1875 the library was expanded including the grand suitcase and the Oval Room by Jean-Louis Pascal.