The BnF offers the Pass ‘lecture/culture’ for 15 € and the Research Pass for 50 €. Read everything, see everything, listen to everything thanks to different options adapted to everone’s likings and needs. They permit unlimited access to the cultural offer of the BnF.
Pass BnF lecture / culture © Béatrice Lucchese / BnF
Reading offer
The Public Library (François-Mitterrand site, Haut-de-jardin level) is open to all aged 16 and up. The Research Library (François-Mitterrand, Richelieu-Louvois, Arsenal, and Opéra) which houses heritage collections, is accessible only with proof or research activities.
Priority access is given to Research Pass holders, people with disabilities, pregnant women, persons aged 60 and up.
Please follow the provided signage.
The Public Library
François-Mitterrand site, Haut-de-jardin level
The Public Library is open to all aged 16 and up. Passes are sold on site in the East Hall. The Pass BnF ‘Lecture/Culture’ can also be purchased online.
Access to the public library is free between 5 PM and 8 PM.
prices
Pass BnF ‘lecture/culture’
The pass and cards are valid for one year from their delivery date. They are strictly personal:
- The Pass BnF ‘lecture/culture’ is delivered at the Inscription desk upon presentation of a valid piece of ID. It grants you unlimited access to the reading rooms of the Public Library and to our exhibitions, concerts, and shows.
- The 1-Day reader’s card is delivered at cash desks and gives access to the reading rooms of the Public Library. The card has no expiring date and can be used until your day of entry.
- The 5PM-8PM reading card is delivered at the Information desk of the François-Mitterrand site.It gives free access to the reading rooms of the Public Library from 5 pm to 8 PM. This card can be used for a year for the 5PM-8PM time slot.
Please note
- For the purchase of a Pass BnF’ lecture/culture’, a free 20-minute introductory visit [in French] is offered every day at 5 PM on demand at the desk.
- Room I (youth literature): access is free for young people under 16 accompanied by an adult upon presentation of a valid pass (1-day reading card, Pass BnF ‘lecture/culture’ or unlimited Research ppass) for a maximum of 3 children per adult on Saturday and Sundays all year long and from Tuesday to Sunday during school vacations.
- Pass replacement is free if the pass is malfunctioning (cannot be read) or if it was stolen (upon proof of theft report).
- Personal data collected during pass creation are kept by the BnF. For all access, modification or deletion requests, you can contact our data protection correspondent.
Buy a Pass BnF ‘lecture / culture’
Exemptions:
- Job seekers
- RSA or social welfare beneficiaries
- People with disabilities and invalid people
- Attendants to people with disabilities and invalid people
- Students from École nationale des Chartes, ENSSIB, Institut national du Patrimoine and Institut national des études territoriales (library and heritage conservation curators)
- Civil servants of State, regional and local authorities working in documentation services, scientific and technical library services, archives and heritage branches
- Engineers in research corps and contractual agents of State, regional and local authorities with scientific and technical duties in libraries, archives, museums and heritage services
- Current and retired BnF staff
The Research Library
The Research Library comprises
- The Rez-de-jardin of the François-Mitterrand site
- The specialized departments of the Richelieu-Louvois site
- The Arsenal sie
- The Opéra site
It is accessible with proof or research activities. Passes are sold on site in the East Hall of the François-Mitterrand site, at the Richelieu site and online. The unlimited Research Pass also gives you free access to the reading rooms in the Public Library and to our exhibitions, concerts, and shows.
Prices
Pass Unlimited Research - Full price
Unlimited Research - Reduced price
5-day Research Pass (consecutive or not)
Additional rates
Additional rate in case of pass extension
pass |
Extension |
additional rate |
additional rate for reduced price |
---|
Holder of an unlimited Pass BnF ‘lecture / culture’
|
Unlimited Research Pass
|
35 €
|
20 €
|
This extension of access rights is only possible by showing justificatory documents for research. The new pass will have the same expiring date as the initial pass.
buy a research pass
Please note:
- Cost of a lost, stolen (without proof of theft report) or forgotten pass: 2€; Pass replacement is free if the pass is malfunctioning or if it was stolen (upon proof of theft report).
- If your reading pass gets lost or stolen, the reader’s responsibility will be lifted only after a written declaration addressed to the Bibliothèque nationale de France.
- Personal data collected during pass creation are kept by the BnF. For all access, modification or deletion requests, you can contact our data protection correspondent.
Reduced price and exemptions
Please bring the necessary documents when purchasing an unlimited Research Pass or an extension. Without these documents, full rates will be applied and no ulterior reimbursement will be possible.
Reduced price:
- Students under 35
- Young visitors between 18 and 25
Exemptions
- Job seekers
- RSA or social welfare beneficiaries
- People with disabilities and invalid people
- Attendants to people with disabilities and invalid people
- Students from École nationale des Chartes, ENSSIB, Institut national du Patrimoine and Institut national des études territoriales (library curators and heritage conservation curators)
- Civil servants of State, regional and local authorities working in documentation services, scientific and technical library services, archives and heritage branches
- Engineers in research corps and contractual agents of State, regional and local authorities with scientific and technical duties in libraries, archives, museums and heritage services
- Current and retired BnF staff
-
Cultural Offer
prices
tickets |
Full Price |
Reduced Price |
---|
Exhibitions*
|
9 €
|
7 €
|
Exhibitions - guided visit
|
Exhibition entrance tickets +3 € per person or 45 € for a pre-formed group **
|
|
Concerts and performances
|
10 €
|
|
Conferences, lectures etc. *
|
free
|
|
Architectural and heritage visits
|
3 €**
|
|
* For some cultural events, a specific fee can be applied
** For more information (registration, exemption, external lecturer, etc.) please call +33(0)1 53 79 49 49.
Exhibitions tickets are valid during the whole duration of the exhibition until the day of your visit.
Exhibitions at the Opéra de Paris have different rates: 12 € (full price) and 8 € (reduced price).
Please note:
- Booking via FNAC is possible for some exhibitions; call 0892 684 694 (0,34 € TTC/mn) or go to www.fnac.com (with additional fees)
- Reduced price applies for BnF exhibitions upon presentation of a ticket of La Cinémathèque issued within the last month (and vice versa)
- Cultural institutions in paertnership with the BnF offer reduced prices to our exhibitions’ visitors
Reduced prices and exemptions
Exhibitions
Reduced prices upon showing justification:
- Students under 35
- Young visitors between 18 and 25
- Teachers
- Members of a large family (3 children and more)
- Visitors in groups (min. 10 people and max. 20)
- Holders of a membership card, day pass or ticket to La Cinémathèque française issued within the last month
Holders of a Libre Pass card or of a valid membership delivered by La Cinémathèque
Exemptions upon showing justification:
- Holders of an unlimited pass to the reading rooms of the Public Library or to the research rooms of the BnF
- Young people under 18
- Job seekers
- RSA or social welfare beneficiaries
- People with disabilities or invalid people and their attendants
- Holders of a chèque Culture “exposition”
- School groups accompanied by one or more teachers
- Professional journalists
- Tourism professionals working in the Ile-de-France region
- Groups from charitable or social associations or organizations limited to 20 people including accompanying persons (only by booking) upon presentation of justification of activity
- Lecturers accredited by the Ministry of Culture and Communication or Tourism
- Students from École nationale des Chartes, ENSSIB, Institut national du Patrimoine and Institut national des études territoriales (library curators and heritage conservation curators)
- Civil servants of State, regional and local authorities working in documentation services, scientific and technical library services, archives and heritage branches
- Engineers in research corps and contractual agents of State, regional and local authorities with scientific and technical duties in libraries, archives, museums and heritage services
- Members of ICOM and ICOMOS
- Current Ministry of Culture and Communication staff
- Current and retired BnF staff
- Members of the Association des Amis de la BnF
Concerts and performances
Exemptions upon showing justification:
- Holders of an unlimited pass to the reading rooms of the Public Library or to the research rooms of the BnF
- Current BnF staff
Architecture and heritage visites or guided visitsfor exhibitions
Exemptions upon showing justification:
- Children under 12
- RSA or social welfare beneficiaries
- Job seekers
- People with disabilities, invalid civilians and military people and their attendants
- Groups from charitable or social inclusion-driven associations or structures limited to 20 people including accompanying persons (only by booking) upon presentation of justification of activity