Bibliothèque Nationale de France - Site François Mitterrand

The Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF) looks after more than 40 million documents collected over five centuries of existence. In addition to books, magazines, photographs, prints, maps, sheet music, sound and audiovisual documents and video games collected via legal deposit, its collections also include manuscripts, coins and medals, as well as theater sets and costumes. All intellectual, artistic and scientific disciplines are represented, in an encyclopedic spirit.
BnF is a leading centre for the dissemination of knowledge, offering reading rooms for study and research at its various sites (François-Mitterrand, Richelieu, Arsenal and Opéra), as well as cultural programming on site and online. Each year, the library produces around 15 exhibitions to showcase its rich collections, and hosts around 100 readings, lectures, shows and concerts.
The François Mitterrand site hosts over 200 cultural events, including conferences, symposia, screenings and masterclasses, and presents the annual Bibliothèque Parlante festival (June), which brings together leading actors for exceptional readings and encounters.
The BnF's collections are also showcased through its many exhibitions, focusing on the great figures of literature (Colette, Proust, Champollion, Baudelaire, Tolkien and the Surrealists) and major themes (the apocalypse, the great photographic commission, the world in a sphere, extreme manuscripts, a century of exploration...).
A program of thematic tours and hands-on workshops for all enriches the cultural programming and resources of the reading rooms.

Opening times and prices

Exhibitions free for under-18s, access to Room I from age 14, free site visits for under-12s.

Access to the site is free, while exhibitions and certain events are subject to a charge (free exhibitions for under-18s);
See the BnF website: https://www.bnf.fr/fr/tarifs-dacces-aux-bibliotheques-et-de-loffre-culturelle

Reservations required at [email protected] or 01 53 79 49 49

Exhibition: Full Price 15€ / Reduced Price : 13€

From the building, tour of the contemporary art collection, temporary exhibitions, €180;

SITE :
Monday: 2 pm - 8 pm / Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 9 am - 8 pm / Sunday: 1 pm - 7 pm
Sunday: 1 pm - 7 pm
EXHIBITIONS: Closed Monday /
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday:
10 h - 19 h / Sunday: 13 h - 19 h

• Ascension Day
• 15 August
• 25 December
• Easter Monday
• Easter
• 1 January
• 14 July
• 1 May
• 8 May
• 11 November
• Whit Monday

• Free for young people and children
• Free

Services

• Gardens
• Restaurant
• Shop/bookshop
• Educational activities
• Visitor support

German, English, Spanish, Italian, French sign language

Guided tours of sites (François Mitterrand, Richelieu, Arsenal);
Workshops relating to the programme of exhibitions;
Workshops related to the collections of the BnF (Book workshops, Pop Up…);
Workshops and visits adapted to people with disabilities in groups and individuals (adults, children, families)

The Café des Globes welcomes you to the Bibliothèque Nationale de France from Tuesday to Sunday for a coffee, a break or a quick lunch.

English

Game booklet and booklet to accompany visits to temporary exhibitions;
Mediation materials on the building and the library for social audiences (easy to read and understand) or people with disabilities;
Audiophone and magnetic loop

Sustainable approach

Since 2007, the BNF has been committed to a policy of sustainable development: green spaces are treated ecologically to encourage the development of biodiversity, waste sorting is encouraged in public spaces, and work has been carried out to reduce energy consumption.

• Paris Action Climat

Disability

Priority access

Motor disability:
- Parking on request and presentation of a disability badge 48 hours in advance ([email protected]), access to staff parking area from Monday to Saturday for arrival before 2.30pm and on Sundays for arrival between 11.45am and 1.45pm (please specify the names of all people attending and the registration number of the vehicle, due to the Vigipirate security plan)
- Floor-level entrance on Avenue de France and access by lift
- Lowered and adapted reception desk, access gate allowing for autonomy
- Adapted communal toilets with grab rail and adapted sink
- Restaurant with wide aisles and adapted tables for wheelchair users.
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Visual impairment:
- Secure guiding path with tactile floor and sound terminals from the edge of the site to the welcome desk
- transparent glass walls/doors marked with contrasting elements
- no head-level obstacles in the corridors
- stairs with tactile and visual contrast before first step down with continuous hand rail and contrasting step edges
- lift with speakers to announce floor numbers, portable electronic magnifying glasses, video enlargers, reading machines, Vocale Presse software, braille and large font
- adapted exhibitions.
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Hearing impairment:
- Magnetic induction loop, subscription to a French Sign Language interpreting service and real-time subtitles at all information points (this subscription also allows deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors to contact the Library online before arrival)
- auditoriums and certain public telephones equipped with induction loops
- tours and conferences interpreted in French Sign Language, audio headsets with induction loop available
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Mental disability:
- Trained/educated staff
- easy to understand and legible signs with pictograms
- entrance monitored by CCTV and visible from reception.

Adapted activities and workshops

Free for the accompanying person

Free for people with disabilities on presentation of valid ID

http://www.bnf.fr/fr/acces_dedies/publics_handicapes/s.dispositifs_accessibilite.html?first_Art=non

Paris for people with disabilities

Useful information