Bibliothèque nationale de France - site François Mitterrand

Opened to the public in 1996, the François-Mitterrand site grew out of the need to enlarge and modernise the Bibliothèque Nationale, the national library. Architect Dominique Perrault’s design embraces a minimalist aesthetic. Its tall, angular towers symbolise four open books. The reading rooms, which are accessible to the public, enclose a forest garden of more than a hectare.

In the West Hall don’t miss the twin globes of the earth and the heavens made for Louis XIV: 4m in diameter, these are the most spectacular objects in the BnF collections. The “Hall des Globes” places them at the centre of an original scenography that not only does justice to the splendour of the paintings that decorate them, but also situates these works in the history of progress in the science of map-making and of depicting the world.

Finally, the BnF also offers an excellent programme of temporary exhibitions, which explore a wide spectrum of themes and includes photography, prints and contemporary art.

Once there, it’s hard to resist extending the visit with a walk along the banks of the Seine, which has a particularly festive atmosphere in summer. Or take the Simone de Beauvoir footbridge to cross the river to the Parc de Bercy or the Cinémathèque Française.

Discover also the BnF I Richelieu, the historical birthplace of the national library. An eighteenth century architectural heritage and a unique cultural offer to be discovered just a few steps away from the Louvre Museum and the Comédie-Française.