Musée de la BnF, National library museum in 2nd arrondissement, France.
The Musée de la BnF is a museum space in the Site Richelieu-Louvois that displays French literary heritage through manuscripts, rare books, and precious documents. The rooms are spacious and arranged to invite browsing and discovery of the collections.
The museum opened in 2022 after extensive restoration that took more than a decade. The collection itself traces back to the royal library, which is hundreds of years older.
The Mazarin Gallery displays medieval prayer books and original manuscripts that show how French people recorded their thoughts and stories across centuries. You also see the throne of King Dagobert, an object that connects power with knowledge and learning.
Visitors should allow time to explore the different galleries at their own pace. It helps to read the information panels along the way, as they provide context for the displayed objects.
The Salle Ovale is a public reading room that gives access to thousands of books you can physically browse and handle. This space lets visitors work like readers in a real library, rather than just viewing exhibits.
Location: 2nd arrondissement of Paris
Inception: 2022
Architects: Bruno Gaudin
Official opening: September 17, 2022
Address: 5 rue Vivienne, 75002 Paris, France
Website: https://bnf.fr/fr/le-musee-de-la-bnf
GPS coordinates: 48.86738,2.33846
Latest update: December 12, 2025 16:41
Théâtre du Palais-Royal
144 m
Galerie Vivienne
122 m
Le Grand Véfour
133 m
BnF Museum
47 m
Library of the National Institute of History of Art
11 m
Galerie Colbert
90 m
Square Louvois
94 m
Hôtel de Nevers
92 m
Bibliothèque nationale de France, Richelieu
10 m
Hôtel Tubeuf
84 m
Passage des Deux-Pavillons
147 m
Town hall of Paris 2nd arrondissement
107 m
Fontaine Louvois
92 m
Passage de Beaujolais
133 m
Fontaine Colbert
86 m
École Nationale des Chartes' library
100 m
Dying Eurydice
87 m
Le Mercure galant
117 m
15 rue de Beaujolais, Paris
146 m
Jardin Vivienne
37 m
11-11bis rue de Beaujolais, Paris
145 m
Hôtel Desmarets
132 m
Salle Labrouste
28 m
Salle Ovale
45 m
4 rue de Louvois, Paris
108 m
Immeuble, 69 rue Sainte-Anne
113 m
6 rue Colbert
90 m
Rotunda of the Galerie Colbert
85 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes