5 Amazing Historic Libraries of Paris

3. Bibliothèque Nationale de France (Mitterand)

The Bibliothèque Nationale de France (François-Mitterrand aka Tolbiac site), in the 13th arrondissement, is one of the largest libraries in the world, holding over 14 million books and a vast collection of manuscripts, maps, and photographs. It also preserves unique treasures like medieval texts and early printed works.

The François-Mitterrand site is equipped with facilities for accessing digital materials, interactive databases, and online platforms like Gallica, which allows users to explore millions of documents from anywhere. This makes the library a leader in preserving and sharing knowledge in both physical and digital formats.

Beyond its research purpose, the library hosts public exhibitions showcasing rare and historical pieces from its archives.

Visitors can explore exhibitions, use reading rooms, or access digital resources. Public areas are open to everyone, and visitors can tour the striking glass towers and central garden. Accessing the immense collections requires a reader’s card.