Prices for entry to the libraries and cultural programme

Pass BnF lecture / culture © Béatrice Lucchese / BnF

Reading offer

The Public Library (François-Mitterrand) is open to all aged 14 and over; Entry to the Research Library (François-Mitterrand, Richelieu, Arsenal and Paris Opera house), which houses the heritage collections, requires proof of research.

Public Library 

François-Mitterrand site, Haut-de-jardin level
The Public Library is open to all aged 14 and over ( parental authorization required up to 16 years old with on-site registration only). Tickets are on sale on site in the East hall. The BnF Pass “Lecture/Culture” is also sold online.

Entry to the Public Library is free of charge from 5 pm to 8 pm.

The pass and cards are valid for one year from their delivery date. They are strictly personal:
 

• 1-day Reader Ticket: issued at the information desk on presentation of ID, it grants unlimited access to the Public Library reading room, the museum, exhibitions, concerts and live shows at the BnF.
• The 1-Day reader’s card issued at the ticket office, it grants access to the Public Library reading rooms. The Reader Ticket does not expire: it can be used as long as it has not been stamped.
• Reader Ticket 5 pm - 8 pm: issued at the information desk at François-Mitterrand, it grants access for all to the Public Library reading rooms from 5 pm to 8 pm. This ticket can be reused all year long within this time slot.

Please note

• For BnF Pass “Lecture/Culture” holders, an introductory session is offered free of charge every day at 5 pm, by request at reception (lasting around 20 minutes).
• Room I (Children’s literature): entry free of charge for children under 16, accompanied by an adult, with valid ID required for the accompanying adult (1-day Reader Ticket or BnF Pass “Lecture/Culture” or unlimited Research Pass), for up to 3 children per adult, on Saturday and Sunday year round, and from Tuesday to Sunday during school holidays for all school regions.
• Replacement cost for a lost, forgotten or stolen card, without theft report: €2; free of charge if the card is faulty or stolen, with documentation.
• If the Reader Card is lost or stolen, the holder must make a written declaration to the Bibliothéque nationale de France for release of liability.
• Personal data collected for creating these cards is kept by the BnF. For all requests to access, correct or delete data, please contact the IT and freedom officer at dpd@bnf.fr.

Concession for:

European Union residents aged under 26 years old

students aged up to 35 years old

Free admission for:

• persons under 16 years of age, if this is their first registration, for the purchase of a BnF lecture / culture pass, on presentation of parental authorization
• job seekers
• people receiving RSA or other social benefits
• people with disabilities (with the relevant disability card or veterans’ card)
• carers of people with disabilities
• citizens of Ukraine, on presentation of their passport
• students of the École nationale des Chartes, the ENSSIB, the Institut national du Patrimoine and the Institut national des études territoriales (museum curators and heritage curators)
• civil servants from State institutions and local authorities belonging to scientific and technical bodies of libraries, archives and heritage
• research associates and contract staff from State and local authorities holding scientific or technical posts in libraries, archives, museums and heritage departments
• people working for the BnF and retired employees of the BnF

Research Library 

The Research Library is made up of:

• the Research Library at the François-Mitterrand site,
• the specialised departments of the Richelieu site,
• the Bibliothéque de l’Arsenal,
• the Bibliothéque-musée de l’Opéra (Library/Museum of the Opera).

Proof of research is required for access. Tickets are on sale on site in the East hall of the François Mitterrand site, on the Richelieu site or online. The unlimited Research Pass also gives you free access to the reading rooms in the Public Library and exhibitions, concerts and live shows organised by the BnF.

A 15% discount is given for the purchase of more than 20 Research Passes. Send your request in advance to the following email address: developpement.publics@bnf.fr.

This extension of access is subject to proof of research and is for a duration equal to the remaining duration of the initial Pass

Please note: 

• Replacement cost for a lost, forgotten or stolen card, without theft report: €2; free of charge if the card is faulty or stolen, with documentation.
• If the Reader Card is lost or stolen, the holder must make a written declaration to the Bibliothéque nationale de France for release of liability.
• Personal data collected for creating these cards is kept by the BnF. For all requests to access, correct or delete data, please contact the IT and freedom officer at dpd@bnf.fr.

Discounts and exemptions

Please have the necessary documentation available when purchasing the unlimited Research Pass or for extension of access rights. Without this documentation the full price will apply and no subsequent reimbursement will be possible.

Concession for:

• students aged up to 35 years old
• European Union residents aged under 26 years old
• artists affiliated with the Maison des artistes (MDA)
• members of scholarly societies present at the BnF with an agreement with the BnF

Free admission for

• job seekers
• recipients of RSA, C2S, ASS or ASPA social benefits from the French government
• people with disabilities (with the relevant disability card or veterans’ card)
• carers of people with disabilities
• citizens of Ukraine, on presentation of their passport
• students of the École nationale des Chartes, the ENSSIB, the Institut national du Patrimoine and the Institut national des études territoriales (museum curators and heritage curators)
• civil servants from State institutions and local authorities belonging to scientific and technical bodies of libraries, archives and heritage
• research associates and contract staff from State and local authorities holding scientific or technical posts in libraries, archives, museums and heritage departments
• people working for the BnF and retired employees of the BnF
• employees of the scholarly societies present at the BnF, with current valid proof, and for which an agreement has been signed with the BnF
• employees of the research laboratories with which BnF is involved, with current valid proof, and for which an agreement has been signed with the BnF

Cultural Offer

Tickets for entry to exhibitions are valid for the duration of the exhibition, until stamped.

Exhibitions located at the Opéra de Paris are subject to different pricing: 12 € (full price) and 8 € (reduced price).  

Please note: 

• Booking is recommended at bnf.tickeasy.com.
• Entry to exhibitions and live shows is free of charge for holders of the Reader, Culture or Research Pass – Booking is recommended at bnf.tickeasy.com.
• Concession for entry to BnF exhibitions with valid proof of visit to the Cinémathéque, a ticket less than one month old or a subscription card (and vice versa).
• In partnership with the BnF, certain cultural institutions offer special rates for exhibition visitors.
• For all types of visit, tour guides pay a booking fee of 50 € in addition to the price of individual reduced, exempt or special rate tickets for all participants, for self-guided tours of the museum or the temporary exhibitions.

Discounts and exemptions

Museum

Concession on presentation of ID for:

• holders of a Large Family Card
• artists affiliated with the Maison des artistes (MDA)
• higher education faculty (France and international)
• individual groups within the limits set by the BnF visit regulations - for the same time slot - without BnF mediation.

Free admission subject to presentation of ID for:

• young people aged under 26 years old
• students aged up to 35 years old, French or non-French
• holders of a BnF Pass “Lecture/Culture” or unlimited Research Pass
• Pro BnF card holders
• people with disabilities and their carers (1 carer per person)
• job seekers
• asylum seekers and refugees
• citizens of Ukraine, on presentation of their passport
• recipients of RSA, C2S, ASS or ASPA social benefits from the French government
• Education Pass holders
• teachers and students of history of art, plastic arts, photography, applied arts, design, architecture and archaeology
• students of the École nationale des Chartes, the ENSSIB, the Institut national du Patrimoine and the Institut national des études territoriales (museum curators and heritage curators)
• civil servants from State institutions and local authorities belonging to scientific and technical bodies of libraries, archives and heritage
• professional French and foreign journalists
• tourism professionals in the Greater Paris region (professional card from the Comité Régional du Tourisme d’Ile-de-France)
• national or regional interpreter guides or national tour guides
• research associates and contract staff from State and local authorities holding scientific or technical posts in libraries, archives, museums and heritage departments
• ICOM and/or ICOMOS members
• employees of the French Ministry of Culture with one guest (Culture Card)
• people working for the BnF and retired employees of the BnF
• members of the Amis de la BnF (Friends of the BnF) association
• The following self-guided groups (without national or regional interpreter guide or tour guide):
• school and extra-curricular groups
  • groups of students in training
  • groups of teachers in training
  • groups of charity associations or entities for social inclusion
  • groups of visitors with disabilities

Combined exhibitions and ticket for museum + temporary exhibition

Concession on presentation of ID for:

• European Union residents aged 18 to 26 years old
• students aged up to 35 years old, French or non-French
• Education Pass holders
• higher education faculty (France and international)
• holders of a Large Family Card
• artists affiliated with the Maison des artistes (MDA)
• individual groups within the limits set by the BnF visit regulations - for the same time slot - without BnF mediation.

Free admission subject to presentation of ID for:

• young people up to 18 years old
• holders of a BnF Pass “Lecture/Culture” or unlimited Research Pass
• Pro BnF card holders
• people with disabilities and their carers (1 carer per person)
• job seekers
• asylum seekers and refugees
• citizens of Ukraine, on presentation of their passport
• recipients of RSA, C2S, ASS or ASPA social benefits from the French government
• teachers and students of history of art, plastic arts, photography, applied arts, design, architecture and archaeology
• students of the École nationale des Chartes, the ENSSIB, the Institut national du Patrimoine and the Institut national des études territoriales (museum curators and heritage curators)
• civil servants from State institutions and local authorities belonging to scientific and technical bodies of libraries, archives and heritage
• research associates and contract staff from State and local authorities holding scientific or technical posts in libraries, archives, museums and heritage departments
• professional French and foreign journalists
• tourism professionals in the Greater Paris region (professional card from the Comité Régional du Tourisme d’Ile-de-France)
• national or regional interpreter guides or national tour guides
• ICOM and ICOMOS members
• employees of the French Ministry of Culture with one guest (Culture Card)
• people working for the BnF and retired employees of the BnF
• members of the Amis de la BnF (Friends of the BnF) association
• The following self-guided groups (without national or regional interpreter guide or tour guide):
• school and extra-curricular groups
  • groups of students in training
  • groups of teachers in training
  • groups of charity associations or entities for social inclusion
  • groups of visitors with disabilities

Concerts and live shows

Concession on presentation of ID for:

• European Union residents aged under 26 years old
• people with disabilities and their carers (1 carer per person)
• job seekers
• asylum seekers and refugees
• recipients of RSA, C2S, ASS or ASPA social benefits from the French government

Free admission subject to presentation of ID for:

• holders of a BnF Pass “Lecture/Culture” or unlimited Research Pass
• citizens of Ukraine, on presentation of their passport
• officers working at the BnF

Group price

Single price of €5 per person for school, extra-curricular or student groups, for groups from the social field or groups from contracted partnerships.

Guided tour of site, workshops and guided tour of the museum

Concession on presentation of ID for:

• holders of a Large Family Card
• artists affiliated with the Maison des artistes (MDA)
• higher education faculty (France and international)

Preferred price

On presentation of proof for beneficiaries of free entry to the museum

Guided tour of an exhibition

Concession on presentation of ID for:

• European Union residents aged 18 to 26 years old
• students aged up to 35 years old
• Education Pass holders
• higher education faculty (France and international)
• holders of a Large Family Card
• artists affiliated with the Maison des artistes (MDA)

Preferred price

On presentation of proof for beneficiaries of free admission to the exhibitions

Trips to workshops

The reduced rates apply to visitors who are beneficiaries of concessions to the Museum or to the temporary exhibitions.

The preferred price applies to visitors who are beneficiaries of free entry to the Museum or to the temporary exhibitions.

Buy a Pass ‘lecture / culture’ ou Recherche Pass