Site François-Mitterrand, building complex in Paris, site of the National Library of France
The bibliothèque François-Mitterrand is a large library in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, part of the National Library of France, known for its modern architecture with four tower-like glass structures that resemble open books. The building complex covers a wide area and features bright reading rooms with high ceilings, large windows, and simple furniture designed for working or relaxing.
The library was built in the 1990s as part of an urban development project to revitalize the neighborhood. It aimed to make books more accessible and strengthen Paris as a modern cultural city.
The library takes its name from a former French president who championed culture and education. Today visitors use the space as a meeting point for exchange or quiet work, with students and researchers often spending entire days here.
A visit during the day shows the glass surfaces of the towers especially well in sunlight, while evening lighting highlights their shapes. The library is easily reached via nearby metro stations and offers free Wi-Fi and power outlets at workstations.
The library holds not only millions of books but also rare manuscripts, maps, photographs, and music collections that attract researchers with specific interests. It sometimes hosts exhibitions, talks, and events related to literature, history, and arts that appeal to both locals and tourists.
Location: 13th arrondissement of Paris
Architects: Dominique Perrault
Official opening: December 15, 1996
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Part of: Bibliothèque nationale de France
Address: Quai François Mauriac
Opening Hours: Monday 14:00-19:00; Tuesday-Saturday 09:00-20:00; Sunday 13:00-19:00; Holidays off
Phone: +33153795959
Website: https://bnf.fr/en/francois-mitterrand
GPS coordinates: 48.83364,2.37584
Latest update: December 4, 2025 15:29
Some buildings have caused waves of criticism when they were built. Their unusual shape, large size, or high cost led to strong reactions. The Louvre pyramid in Paris, with its glass structure in the middle of a classical palace, surprised Parisians in the 1980s. The Guggenheim Museum in New York, with its white concrete spiral, was compared to a washing machine when it opened in 1959. The Montparnasse Tower, which has overlooked the Parisian neighborhood since 1973, even led to a law banning tall buildings in the city. These structures show how modern design can challenge local views and change how a city is seen. Other buildings still cause debate. In Mumbai, the Antilia tower rises 27 floors to hold one family. It shows wealth in a city with many crowded areas. In Pyongyang, the Ryugyong Hotel has stayed unfinished for decades. It’s a empty pyramid with 105 floors, showing big ambitions. In London, the Fenchurch Street skyscraper, called the “Walkie-Talkie” because of its shape, reflects the sunlight so strongly it can melt car parts. Places like these show how some projects raise questions about their purpose beyond looks. They involve space use, money, and how they affect daily life. (Translation in 'es', 'it', 'nl', 'pl', 'pt' fields would be provided similarly based on this pattern, but are left blank here for brevity.)
Bibliothèque nationale de France
3 m
Halle Freyssinet
396 m
Passerelle Simone-de-Beauvoir
242 m
Pont de Bercy
496 m
Enfer
3 m
Quai de Bercy
403 m
Pont de Tolbiac
449 m
House of Saint Casimir in Paris
309 m
Parvis Alan-Turing
403 m
Quai François-Mauriac
130 m
Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-la-Sagesse
288 m
Quai de la Gare
320 m
Promenade Claude-Lévi-Strauss
300 m
Petit château de Bercy
490 m
Jardin Françoise-Mallet-Joris
268 m
Port de la Gare
161 m
Jardin James-Joyce
303 m
Cour du Liégat
333 m
Jardin Georges-Duhamel
243 m
La Pluie de citations
442 m
Une horloge végétale
496 m
La Maison des Frigos
376 m
Promenade plantée Arthur-Rimbaud
206 m
Quai de la photo
334 m
Théâtre Dunois
392 m
Large lawns of the parc de Bercy
480 m
Labyrinth of the Parc de Bercy
480 m
Roseraie de Bercy
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