The Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days) is the big event that takes us to the heart of culture. In Paris, many places are playing their part, including the BnF! The Bibliothèque nationale de France is a public institution that preserves the memory of France. As early as the 14th century, King Charles V had his collection of books preserved in a special room. This collection grew rapidly, and was taken over and expanded by successive sovereigns. This exceptional library has stood the test of centuries and upheavals, resisting every jolt ofhistory to become one of the richest collections in the world.
Today, BnF continues to collect, protect and catalog not only old documents, but also everything published in France. The institution looks after no less than 15 million books and several million periodicals, as well as maps, photographs, videos, sound documents...
The Bibliothèque Nationale is a veritable temple of culture, art and French history. To discover this institution and its various sites in Paris, take advantage of the open house organized during the Journées du Patrimoine. On September 20 and 21, 2025, BnF opens its doors to the curious. Tours, workshops, exhibitions: there's something for everyone! BnF is open to the public free of charge. However, these sites are likely to be overcrowded, so we advise you to come early to take advantage of the event.
On the Arsenal website
BnF's third Parisian site, nestled in the heart of the Marais in the Bastille district, the Arsenal is the former residence of the grand masters of artillery.
Transformed into a public library in 1797, based on the vast encyclopedic collection of the Marquis de Paulmy, it is now an integral part of the BnF, offering over a million documents for consultation (books, magazines, manuscripts, prints, maps and plans, music, etc.).
During the Journées du patrimoine, the Arsenal will be unveiling its collections to the public, offering visitors the chance to admire some remarkable heritage features (17th-century La Meilleraye cabinet, 18th-century Rocaille music salon, Second Empire reading room, early 19th-century Sully salons, etc.), or to visit an exhibition of treasures from its collections.
On the Richelieu site
Journées du Patrimoine 2025: visit the BNF Richelieu historic site in Paris
The Richelieu site of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France opens its historic doors to you on the occasion of the Journées du Patrimoine, September 20 and 21, 2025. [Read more]
On the François-Mitterrand site
Take advantage of the European Heritage Days to go behind the scenes of the building and its emblematic architecture, discover the Charles Cros collection (in homage to the first designer of the phonograph), visit the reading rooms usually reserved for researchers or take part in a creative family workshop("Personalize a BnF model" workshop).
Who's up for a weekend of discovery?
Dates and Opening Time
From September 20, 2025 to September 21, 2025
Location
BnF - Site François Mitterrand
Quai François Mauriac
75013 Paris 13
Prices
Free
Official website
www.bnf.fr
