Paris library - activities

BnF Richelieu, the historic home of the Bibliothèque nationale de France and its museum

The Richelieu site, located in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris, is the historic birthplace of the Bibliothèque nationale de France, which has housed collections of royal documents since 1721. A historic site, recently modernized, accessible to all!

The Mazarine Library, the oldest public library at the Institut de France

The Bibliothèque Mazarine is France's oldest public library, and certainly one of its most beautiful. Open to all as part of the Institut de France, it's a cultural and heritage gem well worth a visit.

The Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève, in the heart of the Latin Quarter

The Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève is a landmark in the Latin Quarter. Discover its history!

BnF François Mitterrand, the huge Parisian library ideal for revision, but not only

In the 13th arrondissement, it's impossible to miss these 4 immense buildings overlooking the banks of the Seine: designed to resemble an open book, the four towers of the François Mitterrand library offer a place to read, work in silence, do research and consult hundreds of thousands of documents.

The sublime Mines Paris library, a hidden treasure in the Jardin du Luxembourg

The sublime Bibliothèque des Mines Paris (PSL), nestled in the historic Hôtel de Vendôme in the Luxembourg Gardens, invites you to take a trip back in time to the 18th century. With over 200,000 documents, the library is open to all.

BULAC, a free library dedicated to languages and civilizations from other parts of the world, where you can study and review

Not far from the famous François Mitterrand library, the Bibliothèque universitaire des langues et civilisations (BULAC) is the perfect place to borrow and consult a wide range of documents, especially if you're a language student! For all others, it's the perfect place to study for free, all day long and until 10pm in the evening.

The Bibliothèque Publique d'Information, the huge library in the Centre Georges Pompidou

The Bibliothèque publique d'information, or BPI, is located in the Centre Georges Pompidou, in the Marais district of Paris. With the longest opening hours in France, it's a popular place for students, teleworkers and other curious visitors to find sources of information, training and information on a wide range of subjects. We'll take you on a tour of one of the biggest libraries in Paris!

European Heritage Days 2021 in Paris: the INHA library

For European Heritage Days 2021 in Paris, go and discover the library of the INHA (the National Institute for Art History) on September 18 and 19, 2021 to enjoy a majestic place filled with surprises. You can not only discover the location but also visit the exclusive “L’Art pour tous” (Art for all) exhibition, and attend the first thesis hearings. Meet in Paris 2nd arrondissement for a very inspiring day!

The Sorbonne Library, in the 5th arrondissement

If you're still a student, then you have the chance to visit the Bibliothèque de la Sorbonne, in the 5th arrondissement. A wonderful place to study in peace and quiet.

The Richelieu Library, historic birthplace of the BNF

The Bibliothèque Richelieu is one of the most beautiful libraries in Paris. Discover it for yourself!