OPENING HOURS, ACcESS & ADMISSION
Our visually impaired visitors can use a tactile paving from the readers’ entrance, located 58 rue de Richelieu. Three audio beacons will guid them to the visitors’ desk located in the hall. There is also an access ramp for people with reduced mobility.
During the ongoing works on site, visitors in wheelchairs may have difficulties to access the Coins, Medals and Antiques reading room. Visitors can ask on-site agents to help them use the staff elevator situated nearby the Coins, Medals and Antiques room entrance.
The reading rooms are part of the BnF Research Library. Access is granted upon presentation of justificatory documents on your research. Your inscription is valid for both Bnf and INHA. It gives you access to all specialized departments at the BnF as well as to the INHA Library (Labrouste Room). You are also allowed in all reading rooms located on other BnF sites (François-Mitterrand, Arsenal, Opéra). Passes can be purchased online (see below).
Please note: during the renovation, the Prints and Photography Department (BnF) is located in the Labrouste Room.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10AM - 6PM |
10AM - 6PM |
10AM - 6PM |
10AM - 6PM |
10AM - 6PM |
10AM - 6PM |
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9AM - 5PM |
9AM - 5PM |
9AM - 5PM |
9AM - 5PM |
9AM - 5PM |
10AM- 12:30PM – 1:30PM- 5PM |
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9AM - 7:30PM |
9AM - 7:30PM |
9AM - 7:30PM |
9AM - 7:30PM |
9AM - 7:30PM |
9AM - 6:30PM |
Reduced fees in July and August. The library closes every day at 6:30 PM during that period.
Tuesdays to Thursdays, from 10 AM to 1 PM
Guided tours (1h30) with BnF staff : certain Thursdays at 9.30 AM & Saturdays at 5.30 PM (no access to the salle Labrouste on the Thursdays tours).
Mandatory booking at (+33) 153794949
This pass additionally grants you free access to the Research Library and the General Library reading rooms, exhibitions, and events at the BnF.
Valid for 1 year.
Please note: The Department of Maps and Plans is located in room R (Research Library – Garden level) of the François Mitterrand site until the reopening of the second renovated zone of the Richelieu Library (planned for 2020).
Collections can be consulted on Monday from 2 PM to 6 PM, from Tuesday to Friday from 10 PM to 6 PM and Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Book my seat See other research libraries
The consultation of Heritage collections is chiefly meant for extended, long-term research. It can also respond to short-term research, especially in case of not being able to find a document in other libraries.
Master and postgraduate students, higher education teachers and researchers may register directly online or on-site at the Inscription desk. They will need to provide proof of research upon retrieving their pass.
BA level students or any person with a personnal or professional research project may get a Research Pass upon presentation of justificatory documents during an interview with the Inscription Service at the François-Mitterrand or Richelieu libraries.
Attention! The inscription Service closes at 7 pm. No Pass can be delivered past this time.
Cloakrooms work with 1 or 2 euro coins or with tokens available at the General Information desk.
Under Plan Vigipirate at ‘Heightened Security/Risk of Attack’ level, security and controls near the Library entrance have been strengthened. Only cabin luggage (55cm × 35cm × 25cm) are accepted inside the BnF.
Consequently, access can take a little longer than normal. We thank you for your understanding.
