Tips for your Last Meters

Navigate step by step

Getting there on foot, by bicycle or by car

The entrance of the BnF is located rue Émile Durkheim. Go to the esplanade between the two towers. Once in close proximity of the MK2 movie theater, you will spot signage carrying the ‘BnF’ inscription. Come even closer and a flight of stairs and elevators leading to the building will appear. You are only a few meters away!
 

Coming by bike? 
You can use bike stands/covered parking areas for bicycles located on rue Émile Durkheim. 
There are Velib’ stations nearby: 
  • rue Pau Casals
  • quai François Mauriac
  • quai de la gare
Coming by car? There are fee-paying car parks nearby, on rue Émile Durkheim and rue Abel Gance

The car parks

People with reduced mobility can use the Library staff car park (entrance on Quai François-Mauriac, height restricted to 1,9 meters) upon showing justification. The car park’s elevators give you direct access to the Library halls. Our staff will look after you from your arrival in the car park. 

 

Coming by public transportation

Using public transportation? Here are the different stop and stations located near the BnF

Metro

Line 6 (Quai de la gare), line 14 & RER C (Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand)


Buses

Lines 89, 62, 64, 132 & 325

Coming by Metro

Line 14 ( Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand), Avenue de France exit  (escalators and elevator). In the case of an elevator breakdown, it is preferable to use the RER C’s exit (escalator). 
RER Line C: connection to Line 14 with an escalator

Coming by bus 

Line 89
Stops
  • Opt for Avenue de France stop (step-free)
  • Quai François Mauriac or rue Raymond Aron
Please note: These two stops are quite far away from the Library’s entrance and will have you use or walk around stairs.

Line 62
Stops
  • Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand 
  • Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand - Avenue de France
Line 64 
Stops
  • Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand 
  • Tolbiac - Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand 
Line 132 : stop Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand

Line 325
Stops
  • Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand
  • Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand. Avenue de France 
  • Tolbiac - Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand

People with reduced mobility: follow the guide

Disabled people, pregnant women as well as people over 60 and holders of a Research Pass benefit from priority access. Please follow the provided signage.
  • Coming by public transportation
  • Accessing the site 
  • The car parks
  • On-site 
  • In the reading rooms

Accessing the site

The only step-free entrance to the Library is situated on Avenue de France. A flight of stairs surrounds the Library on its three other sides. Therefore, we advise you to opt for the Avenue de France entrance. At the BnF entrance, you will find free-to-use elevators. If the elevators are out of order, you are kindly invited to go to the elevator about ten meters on the left towards the garden (please push the intercom button for a few seconds). At the entrance, you will be given priority access. 

 
Please note:
 
 
A secure marked paving will guide you from the esplanade to the Library’s entrance:
  • The starting points are located Avenue de France and Passerelle Simone de Beauvoir. Two very large totems signal the direction of the BnF. They are equipped with a large print tactile map and a sound beacon activated with a remote control at your disposal. 
  • The paving is composed of a dot and dash pattern made in anti-slip material. It evolves as you advance all the way to the entrance. It is delimited by two guiding bands and is wide enough for wheelchairs. 
  • Sound beacons are positioned along the route. They indicate changes of direction. 
  • The paving is equipped with benches with three different seating heights
You need to contact us at least 48 hours before your visit by calling +33 (0)1 53 79 37 37 or by writing an email at accueil.handicap@bnf.fr,  indicating the names and surnames of the people coming by car, the plate number, your visiting date, visiting purpose and arrival and departure time. So as to make your visit as easier, we advise you to plan your arrival:  
  • on Monday and Saturday between 9 AM & 2:30 PM
  • on Sunday between 11:45 AM & 1:45 PM

Once you are Inside 

Guide dogs are welcome inside the Library.
Wheelchairs are available in the cloakrooms and at the entrance hall. You will need to provide a valid piece of ID. 

In case of bad weather

In cas of wet weather, we advise you to use non-slip paths.
 
Have a question? Want to write to us? 
Bibliothèque nationale de France
Site François-Mitterrand
Quai François-Mauriac
75706 Paris Cedex 13
Tél : +33 (0)1 53 79 59 59 (vocal server)
 
See also (in french)