The Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days) is the big event that takes us to the heart of culture. In Paris, many places are playing their part, including the BnF! The Bibliothèque nationale de France is a public institution that preserves the memory of France. As early as the 14th century, King Charles V had his collection of books preserved in a special room. This collection grew rapidly, and was taken over and expanded by successive sovereigns. This exceptional library has stood the test of centuries and upheavals, resisting every jolt ofhistory to become one of the richest collections in the world.
Today, BnF continues to collect, protect and catalog not only old documents, but also everything published in France. The institution looks after no less than 15 million books and several million periodicals, as well as maps, photographs, videos, sound documents...
The Bibliothèque nationale is a veritable temple of culture, art and French history. To discover this institution and its various sites in Paris, take advantage of the open house organized during the Journées du Patrimoine. On September 21 and 22, 2024, BnF opens its doors to the curious. Tours, workshops, exhibitions: there's something for everyone! BnF is open to the public free of charge. However, these sites are likely to be overcrowded, so we advise you to come early to take advantage of the event.
On the Arsenal website
Located in the Bastille district, the Bibliothèque de l'Arsenal is the former residence of the grand masters of artillery. From 1756, the Marquis de Paulmy built up a vast encyclopedic collection, which was transformed into a public library in 1797. In 2012, it was awarded the Maison des Illustres label.
The library offers over a million documents for consultation: books, magazines, manuscripts, prints, maps and plans, music, etc. Its reading rooms are part of the BnF Research Library.
The library is exceptionally open to the public for a tour of its reading rooms and lounges, as well as a demonstration of its restoration workshops.
On the Richelieu site
The BnF opens the doors of its historic site in the heart of Paris's 2nd arrondissement, free of charge. This is an opportunity to admire its new museum, revealing extraordinary works of art and heritage, and to explore listed architectural spaces, including the Salle Ovale, a majestic public reading room.
The visit also includes a chance to discover some of the finest reading rooms in the BnF's specialist departments, the Salle Labrouste, the library of the Institut national d'histoire de l'art, and the library of the École nationale des chartes, all of which illustrate this center of excellence dedicated to the history of the arts and heritage sciences.
The European Heritage Days open the BnF-Richelieu's 2024-2025 cultural season, dedicated to intercultural, artistic, diplomatic and intellectual exchanges between Europe and other civilizations since Antiquity. The first guest artist, Barthélémy Toguo, allows visitors to discover the exceptional dialogue that can take place between his contemporary works, presented throughout the visit, and the treasures of the BnF collections.
More information on bnf.fr
On the François-Mitterrand site
Exclusively reserved for school groups from 6ème to terminale, this exploration of the largest of the Bibliothèque nationale de France's sites plunges visitors into the heart of the history and architecture of this building designed by architect Dominique Perrault and built between 1989 and 1995. The tour gives visitors a privileged opportunity to go behind the scenes of the library, understand how it works and, where possible, access the Belvédère, the top floor of one of the 4 "book towers", to admire a magnificent panoramic view of Paris and the Seine.
Born of the need to expand and modernize the Bibliothèque nationale, the François-Mitterrand site opened in 1996. A monumental expression of the so-called minimalist trend in contemporary architecture, it now houses over 14 million books, printed matter and press, as well as over 1.5 million audio, video and multimedia documents...
Take advantage of the European Heritage Days to go behind the scenes of the building and its emblematic architecture, and discover the reading rooms usually reserved for researchers...
And much more... Take part in a creative workshop with your family, attend demonstrations in the BnF's collection restoration workshops, or visit the Charles Cros collection, rarely presented to the public (this collection brings together more than 1,400 sound, video and multimedia recording and playback devices. Heir to the institutions that preceded BnF's Audiovisual Department, it presents treasures and technical eccentricities, everyday objects and industrial prototypes).
More information on bnf.fr
Who's up for a weekend of discovery?
Dates and Opening Time
From September 21, 2024 to September 22, 2024
Location
BnF - Site François Mitterrand
Quai François Mauriac
75013 Paris 13
Prices
Free
Official website
www.bnf.fr
