Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF) | Richelieu

For tourists that without entry pass, there is a small area for you to stand there and take pictures, you may observe but are not allowed to enter the reading rooms. The building is super beautiful and full of history. The reading rooms are quiet and perfect for getting some serious work done or just soaking in the book vibes.

A Hidden Oasis of Knowledge in the Heart of Paris Nestled between rue de Richelieu and rue de Vivienne in the 2nd arrondissement, the Bibliothèque nationale de France is nothing short of a Parisian gem. More than just a library, it’s a sanctuary for the curious, the studious, and anyone seeking beauty and peace in the whirlwind of city life. From the moment you step into the lush tropical front courtyard, the outside world begins to melt away. Inside, the architecture is a feast for the eyes: grand research rooms, ornate ceilings, and the stunning salle ovale, freely accessible to the public, are just a few of its many charms. With 25,000 books at your fingertips, it feels like stepping into a universe built entirely for quiet reflection and wonder. What truly elevates the experience (especially during the summer) is the glorious air conditioning. When Paris swelters, this place remains cool, calm, and beautifully collected. It’s like walking into a different dimension: silent, timeless, and entirely devoted to the pursuit of knowledge. If you find yourself in Paris and in need of inspiration or just a quiet moment away from the chaos, the BnF Richelieu is the spot you didn’t know you needed. I've spent countless days here and, frankly, I still can’t get enough.

This is possibly one of the best places to visit in Paris and one so easy to miss. The Oval Room Library and the Entrance Library are free to visit. So if you only want to see these 2 places it will be at zero cost. Nevertheless, I strongly advise you to also visit the upper floor permanent exhibition as you will be amazed by the decor of the rooms too.

Can’t believe that I didn’t know this place after so many times in Paris. So happy I heard about it and got a chance to visit it on my last trip To Paris. As soon as I walked in I was overwhelmed with the beauty and calmness of the place. Loved just sitting there quietly, seeing at the people work or read. I highly recommend.

Beautiful museum with lots to read & learn! I love the current exhibit by Barthélémy Toguo.

We spent an interesting afternoon working our way through the Museum's seven rooms. The digital stations, one or more of which are in each room, provide some coherence to what is a hodgepodge collection of artifacts collected over the centuries by royalty, scholars, and the wealthy, by providing historical and cultural context. If you're interested in numismatics, archeology, art, jewelry and gems, a bit of religious iconography, come. If interested in all of the above, essential.

One of the most underrated sights in Paris. The Oval Room is one of the most impressive rooms you will ever be in. The silence is deafening and the architecture is amazing. What’s more amazing are the books on display. Photo books of every kind and every topic - so easy to spend hours pouring over a topic you love. Come visit - but respect the silence. No tickets required

Fantastic place to visit, to access certain rooms you'll need to book ahead for a guided tour but it's very worthy as the guide was very knowledgeable. It is also very affordable. If you just want to go to the main room to read then it's free. You also have a museum inside which is included in the guided tour. If you're a fan of books and architecture then I highly recommend visiting this place.

Wow!! Just reopened after a renovation this is a true gem. Free entry to public spaces on the ground floor and paid entrance to a small museum on the second floor, which is definitely worth checking out. I could easily spend the entire day, exploring museum and the reading room on the ground floor despite not knowing French too well. They have some amazing treasures upstairs and lots of spaces to sit and read in the main reading room as well as to charge cell phones if needed

Absolutely beautiful library with a marvelous and stunning reading room, all absolutely open to the public. Granted, due to the popularity, seats in the reading room can be reserved in advance and if you plan to do some serious studying there, you should probably "book" a seat. There's exhibitions as well though for some special ones you may have to pay a small fee. Nice gardens too.

This is one of the most beautiful libraries in the world that you can't get in to. You must be approved for studying there according to the lady at the front desk. You can literally take two steps in and take a picture before you are ushered out. Such a disappointment.

First First First...This city is sooooo easy...but I digress... I went to the Bibliotheque National de France for a photo exhibition of Raymond Depardon wherein he has spent like 20 years photographing the changes in the common places around France. Sort of like if one were to travel around the US to the small towns and countryside and photograph the changes of rural America - same principal. I did not find the Depardon exhibit (but I'll look tomorrow). Instead I found the permanent exhibit of the library that includes works or art from the photographic frontier. The exact exhibit is: The origins of photography - Calotype photography in France (1843-1860). This was the infancy of more wide-spread photographic process brought on by the invention of the daguerreotype. There are images from the likes of Henri Courmont, Charles Nègre, Delacroix, Hugo and Adalbert Cuvelier. Most of these names are even now difficult to research via Google, but it is so interesting to see all of the "peers" of this new medium and the evolution of their craft in its infancy. The landscapes are all baron because of the over 1 minute exposure time (moving people do not "appear"). And, the images are often blurry because of this and the quality of the lenses and equipment. Even so, it is possible to see great art in these images - so fascinating. So I'm looking around after the exhibit and I see a doorway - actually 4 doorways with portals into the next room. On these doors is a "not photographs" sign." I peer in to find the main study hall of the National Library of France itself. I did not take a picture, but the view was stunning. Imagine: a 7 story circular room about 100 meters in diameter. The first 4 stories are each ringed with books - 4 stories of circular books with a walkway around each one!!! At the top of the dome is a giant skylight of frosted glass and iron (its ancient). Then the floor is covered with rows of desks and about every 5 feet there is a tall brass lamp with a green glass shade - it was simply stunning. I am confident that this is not the main feature of many guide books. So here is my secret hint to you - go there.