The BnF Richelieu is the historic site of France’s national library at 5 Rue Vivienne in Paris. Its public rooms bring together library architecture, collections and quiet places to pause. The Oval Room is the main draw: its high dome, painted ceiling and shelves hold more than 20,000 books, including comics. You can also visit the garden and main hall without paying; exhibitions may require a separate ticket. Allow time for the security check, then explore the rooms open to the public.
A royal library becomes the national library
The library’s history reaches back to 1368, when Charles V founded a royal collection. Its status and name changed over the centuries, from royal to imperial, before it became France’s national library after the French Revolution.
The Richelieu site grew into a major home for books, art and historical collections. Today, its public spaces let visitors see parts of the building without using the research rooms. Entry to the grounds includes a security check, and access to some areas is limited to people with the appropriate pass.
The Oval Room and Labrouste’s design
Architect Henri Labrouste designed a reading hall with a metal frame that made it possible to create a broad open interior without conventional supports. Its dome rises 18 metres, and natural light enters through the dome and large windows. The arrangement of seats follows concentric circles.
Look up at the Oval Room’s ceiling, where a monumental painting by Paul-Émile Mille forms a symbolic map. Medallions naming cities and centres of learning surround a celestial sphere marked with the zodiac. The room also holds more than 20,000 books, among them a collection of comics.
Collections, exhibitions and public spaces
The library’s rooms connect architecture with collections devoted to art and history. Galerie Mazarin is a notable stop for its works and printed treasures, including Dürer prints, an early edition of Dante’s Inferno and Gutenberg’s Bible. The site also has a small museum, though its exhibitions are separate from the free-access areas and may require a ticket.
A visit can include the main hall, public reading spaces and the garden. Some rooms are used by researchers, so the areas open to visitors can change. Public spaces may be crowded, with fewer seats available at busy times. The garden provides an outdoor pause within the library grounds.
FAQ
Is entry to the BnF Richelieu free?
The garden and main hall are free to enter. Some exhibitions require a separate ticket.
What can you see in the Oval Room?
The room has an 18-metre-high dome, a ceiling painting by Paul-Émile Mille and more than 20,000 books, including comics.
Can visitors use the research rooms?
Some research rooms require a pass. Public areas are also available to visitors.
Is there a security check?
Yes. Visitors pass through security, including bag screening.
