Night of Museums 2026: the BnF Richelieu Museum and its oval room go on view after dark

The Nuit des Musées 2026 offers a unique chance to explore for free the sublime Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF), housed on its historic site in Paris's 2nd arrondissement. On this Saturday, 23 May 2026, you can wander through the architecturally celebrated spaces and marvel at heritage treasures, while enjoying the exceptional opening of the Salle Ovale, a grand public reading room.

In the heart of the 2ème arrondissement of Paris, the Bibliothèque nationale de France, Richelieu site, stands as a beacon of knowledge and history. This iconic institution, open to the public since its renovation was completed in 2021, invites visitors to explore not only an invaluable collection of documents but also its little-known museum, which tells the story of the library and its treasures.

The Richelieu site of the BNF, just a stone’s throw from the Palais Royal, is an architectural tour-de-force housing historic reading rooms, exhibition galleries, and the Cabinet of Medals museum. It offers a riveting journey into France’s history and its writings, showcasing rare items such as medieval manuscripts, incunabula, and precious documents that have stood the test of time.

The museum, often regarded as a hidden gem within the Bibliothèque nationale de France at Richelieu, stands out for its unique collection of coins, medals, and antiquities. Among the highlights is the Berthouville Treasure, a stunning ensemble of silver objects dedicated to the cult of Mercury, discovered in Normandy in 1830. The museum offers a distinctive perspective on the history of art and numismatics, enriching a library visit with an unexpected historical and artistic dimension.

BnF Richelieu, the historic home of the Bibliothèque nationale de France and its museum
The Richelieu site, located in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris, is the historic birthplace of the Bibliothèque nationale de France, which has housed collections of royal documents since 1721. A historic site, recently modernized, accessible to all! [Read more]

The architecture of the Richelieu site is a history book in stone. From the grand Mazarine Gallery to the recently renovated Oval Room, every space reveals decorative and architectural details that mark the eras this institution has lived through. A visit to the Richelieu wing of the Bibliothèque nationale de France is thus also an architectural journey, where every corridor and chamber unfolds a chapter of Paris and France’s story.

• To be read
• Top picks of the week: October 19–25, 2026 in Paris and Île-de-France

The lineup for the 2026 Night of Museums at the BNF Richelieu:

• A Night at the National Library of France | Richelieu

  On the occasion of the Night of Museums, the BnF opens its doors to the public for a free reveal of its museum, tucked into the heart of its historic site in Paris’s 2nd arrondissement. An invitation to explore protected architectural spaces, to contemplate patrimonial treasures, and to amble freely through the Oval Hall, home to France’s largest comic-book collection.

  Accompanied by curators and collection managers from the BnF’s various departments, visitors can admire emblematic works drawn from centuries-old collections built by major figures in French history: Dagobert’s throne, Charlemagne’s chessboard, gold medals commissioned by Louis XIV, the tapestry of paintings by Boucher and Natoire, among other treasures, as well as the exhibition “Cyprus at the BnF,” staged for Cyprus’s presidency of the Council of the European Union.

  The Institut national d’histoire de l’art also joins the event for the first time. Its library, designed by architect Henri Labrouste, is unusually open at night, with free access or guided tours led by students of archaeology, art history and heritage. The route highlights the reading room’s artistic and decorative wealth: ornamental paintings, medallions gilded with gold leaf, monumental caryatids, artist busts, and the volume of the contemporary work Substrat by Dove Allouche.

  Last entry: 10:00 p.m.

  Participation requirements: Free | No reservation required

  Schedule: Saturday, May 23, 2026 — 6:30 PM to 11:00 PM

Don't miss this unique cultural experience during Nuit des Musées 2026 at the Nuit des Musées 2026 in the BnF. It’s a smart pick for uncovering the hidden treasures of the Bibliothèque nationale de France and the magnificent Salle Ovale.