Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand
Library · Gare ·

Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand

Library · Gare ·

Vast collection of books, manuscripts, archives, and exhibitions.

architecture
impressive view
study space
garden
terrace
calm environment
gift shop
high ceilings
Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand by null
Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand by
Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand by vincent ☆/CC BY 2.0
Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand by lindybcn (Atlas Obscura User)
Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand by Panoramas/CC BY-ND 2.0
Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand by lindybcn (Atlas Obscura User)
Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand by esotericroots (Atlas Obscura User)
Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand by Ethan Gruber/CC BY-SA 2.0
Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand by lindybcn (Atlas Obscura User)
Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand by Zubro/CC BY-SA 3.0
Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand by Vincent Desjardins/CC BY 2.0
Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand by null
Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand by null
Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand by null
Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand by null
Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand by null
Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand by null
Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand by null
Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand by null
Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand by null
Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand by null
Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand by null
Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand by null
Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand by null
Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand by null
Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand by null
Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand by null
Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand by null
Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand by null
Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand by null

Information

Quai François Mauriac, 75706 Paris, France Get directions

Paid parking garage
Paid street parking
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Assistive hearing loop

Information

Static Map

Quai François Mauriac, 75706 Paris, France Get directions

+33 1 53 79 59 59
bnf.fr
@labnf
𝕏
@laBnF

Features

•Paid parking garage
•Paid street parking
•Wheelchair accessible entrance
•Wheelchair accessible parking lot
•Assistive hearing loop

Last updated

Dec 26, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2026 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@atlasobscura
4,908 Postcards · 2,018 Cities

The World's Top 100 Wonders in 2018

"The massive Bibliothèque nationale de France is one of the grandest and most storied collections of printed material in the world. It’s also home to two marvels of French Renaissance cartography. The Bibliothèque nationale de France can trace its origin all the way back to 1368 when it was founded by Charles V. Despite being moved multiple times and having portions of the collection dispersed, it remained the largest library in the world until the late 1800’s, when other collections surpassed its numbers. The facilities have been rebuilt and expanded in modern times and renovated throughout, leaving it as still one of the largest libraries in the world with over ten million titles. It houses books on the arts, law, economics, languages and literature, science and technology, humanities, philosophy and more. The library also houses numerous collections from antiquity including over 5,000 Greek manuscripts. The library also has an extensive collection of antique coins, including Greek, Roman, and French.  Visitors attend the library for a bit of historical tourism as well as to check out the books. Among most popular attractions on display are Louis XIV’s globes. They lived at Versailles until the French Revolution, after which they moved from place to place before finally settling permanently at the Bibliothèque nationale." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/top-100-wonders-2018
Zubro/CC BY-SA 3.0
François-Mitterrand Library

hossein M.

Google
Located near Bercy Seine station and Seine River, this library offers an impressive view, and the building itself is quite striking. The access to the library is easy and well-organized. They host interesting events and exhibitions from time to time, which adds to the cultural experience. The collection is vast, providing great access to a variety of books, manuscripts, and historical documents. However, if you want to access specific manuscripts, you’ll need to prove you’re actively working or researching on a particular topic, which ensures serious academic use. Highly recommended for both casual visits and research purposes.

Nicolas D.

Google
It's heartbreaking to give such a low rating to one of my favorite places, but it's a shame that visitors are so badly informed about the normal functioning of the library. What makes me rate it a two, though, is the despicable security at the top entrance. Sorry, it makes me feel better to say it, but even knowing that those guards have a difficult job, one just yelled at everyone asking for info (Info! Are you kidding!?), shouting, "Go to the line like everyone!" (He even yelled this at those who went to the MK2 cinema... "Go to the line!! Oh... okay, you can go... but watch out! I see you!"). Many of us are occasional visitors with specific research to do, and at the lower entrance, a few of us were misinformed, being told it opened at 13:00. An error is human, and this lady was nice! But then the upper guard shouted for "everyone up!". When we asked about the time, his first reflex was to yell, "Go to the line!" before finally explaining that it opened at 14:00. He didn't tell us, though, that only the administrative area was open and that no books were accessible. That was one hour and a half lost, not counting the other hour and a half to get there. (My fault, I should have looked at the website, but some clear information while we waited would have saved a lot of time for many people!)

Meghan H.

Google
This is a really interesting national library—I highly recommend taking the time to explore different parts of it inside. The architecture of the outside is fantastic, and it is really interesting to look at from the outside and from the observatory area inside. It is a good place to study; I often sat near the café. The library has interesting exhibitions and a cute gift shop with post cards that feature works of art in the library's archives; unfortunately, a tote bag I bought from the gift shop broke after only two days of use.

Aziz “Arafat” S.

Google
Great place to achieve knowledge in a very calm way.Having a garden in the middle of the library.Huge space for working as a person or in a group.Variety collections of books made it magnificent places to visit or work purpose.Having a lovely terrace inside wow!I love that view from terrace.Before entry you gonna get a glimpse touch of architecture around wow magical place.Beside this one part of BNF has a wonderful view covering Seine.Had a session there was less in time but worthy.Recommended if you somehow manage to pass by you should have a look in Bibliothèque National France🇫🇷

yukapooh

Google
One of my favorite places in Paris. The high ceilings and stylish atmosphere are on a whole different level compared to libraries in Japan. There’s also a cafeteria, so you can take a break when you’re a bit hungry. The terrace is perfect for relaxing — many people spend time there between study sessions. A calm, stress-free environment that I truly enjoyed.

christian H.

Google
love the architecture. for the outside: wooden floorboard, stairs towards the riverbank. get your stuff at quai de la gare and have picknick at the seine. atrium with forest - only bad thing is the construction fence instead of safety glass...

Kit Y.

Google
This is a confuse by Google Map the entree is not correct the photo is not correct for the old library one is a modern one , the old one is 30min from here so pls aware which one you want new or old style I waste 30mins to be here and find the wrong place

Ilan B

Google
What’s the point of calling yourself a library when you can’t even borrow books and the books aren’t always accessible to the public… For the biggest library in Paris it’s a really stupid state to have it full of high security when you can’t even access anything on a Monday… the place leaves much to be Desired looks run down in certain areas and the toilets are not clean. I find really shocking that they can just close areas of books and without warning and force everyone to work in the hallways and entryways… Would not recommend.