Musée de la BnF

About the museum

The museum occupies part of the Richelieu site of the Bibliothèque nationale de France, in the Bourse district of Paris. The buildings include the former palace of Cardinal Mazarin, which became the king's library in 1722. After twelve years of renovation, the museum opened to the public on September 17, 2022, during the European Heritage Days.

The route covers about 1,200 m² on the first floor. It brings together some 900 works from the library's collections: manuscripts, prints, coins, medals, objets d'art, musical instruments, costumes and documents relating to the performing arts. The circuit passes through several historic spaces, including the Galerie Mazarine, the Salle des Colonnes, the Salon Louis XV and the Rotonde devoted to the performing arts.

The works on display change about three times a year, since many old documents cannot withstand prolonged exposure to light. Digital displays complement the visit, as do routes adapted for visitors with disabilities.

Highlights

• Grand Camée de France, the largest known ancient cameo
• Throne of Dagobert and the Berthouville Treasure
• Manuscript of the Roman de Renart, 14th century
• Dürer's woodcut of the Rhinoceros (1515)
• Audubon's Birds of America
• Two Chinese porcelain pagodas in the Salon Louis XV

Permanent exhibition

• Parcours du musée de la BnF – A route from Antiquity to the present day over 1,200 m², with around 900 works rotated several times a year, including the Galerie Mazarine.

Founded

2022

Operated by

Bibliothèque nationale de France

Admission & discounts

Admission is free with the BnF's Pass Lecture/Culture or unlimited Pass Recherche. Booking is strongly recommended. Free access to the outdoor areas (garden, café, bookshop, Salle Ovale) is through 5 rue Vivienne, without a museum ticket.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

The museum is on the first floor, reached by lift. A tactile route with sound beacons runs from the entrance at 58 rue de Richelieu to the reception desk and joins the ramp for visitors with reduced mobility. Wheelchairs are lent on request in exchange for an ID. The route offers multimedia terminals, videos in French Sign Language and tactile devices with audio description; a phone can be lent for the visit app. Support from outside the building is available by appointment at +33 1 53 79 37 37 or accueil.handicap@bnf.fr.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The Salle Ovale, freely accessible and open to all ages, offers activities for children. Visits and workshops for all ages are organised, for individuals or groups.

Getting there & parking

Free access (garden, café, bookshop, Salle Ovale) is at 5 rue Vivienne; the entrance to the research rooms is at 58 rue de Richelieu. The BnF page gives no information about car parking.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Wi-Fi

The Rose Bakery café is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00. The bookshop sells BnF publications. The cloakroom works with €1 or €2 coins; umbrellas, backpacks and large bags must be left there. Wi-Fi is among the services at the Richelieu site.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit