Nuit des Musées 2024 offers a unique opportunity to discover, free of charge, the sublime museum of the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF), located on its historic site in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris. This Saturday, May 18, 2024, you can explore the listed architectural spaces and admire heritage treasures, while enjoying the exceptional opening of the Salle Ovale, a large public reading room.
In the heart of Paris's 2nd arrondissement, the Bibliothèque nationale de France, site Richelieu, stands as a monument to knowledge and history. This emblematic site, which has been open to the public since its renovation was completed in 2021, invites us to explore not only its priceless collection of documents, but also its little-known museum, which tells the story of the library and its treasures.
The BNF Richelieu, just a stone's throw from the Palais Royal, is an architectural masterpiece housing historic reading rooms, exhibition galleries and the Cabinet des Médailles museum. The latter offers a fascinating dive into the history of France and its writings, presenting rare items such as medieval manuscripts, incunabula and precious documents that have survived the centuries.
The museum, often considered a hidden treasure within the BNF Richelieu, is distinguished by its unique collection of coins, medals and antiquities. Among the most remarkable pieces is the Trésor de Berthouville, a spectacular collection of silver objects dedicated to the cult of Mercury, discovered in Normandy in 1830. This museum offers a unique perspective on the history of art and numismatics, enriching a visit to the library with an unexpected historical and artistic dimension.
The architecture of the Richelieu site is itself a page in history. From the majestic Galerie Mazarine to the recently renovated Salle Ovale, each space reveals decorative and architectural elements that bear witness to the eras through which this institution has passed. A visit to the BNF Richelieu is therefore also an architectural exploration, where each corridor and room reveals a part of the history of Paris and France.
For European Museum Night, the BnF is opening the doors of its museum on its historic site in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris, free of charge. This is an opportunity to explore listed architectural spaces, admire heritage treasures, visit the Salle Ovale, a large public reading room, and discover the exhibition "The Invention of the Renaissance: The Humanist, the Prince and the Artist", free of charge.
The proposed itinerary takes in some of the most sumptuous listed areas of the Richelieu site, recently reopened to the public after twelve years of renovation.
Accompanied by BnF curators and departmental collection managers, visitors can admire remarkable works from collections built up over the centuries by the great figures of French history: Dagobert's throne, Charlemagne's chessboard, gold medals commissioned by Louis XIV, decorations painted by Boucher and Natoire, and many other treasures...
The Salle Ovale also joins the event: visitors can wander freely and consult works from France's largest comic book collection.
The evening will also be an opportunity to discover, free of charge, the exhibition "The Invention of the Renaissance: The Humanist, the Prince and the Artist", taking visitors on a journey through more than 240 works, including manuscripts, printed books, prints, drawings, sculptures, objets d'art, coins, etc. A real plunge between the 14th and 16th centuries into the world of Renaissance humanists.
Free admission subject to availability - from 6.30pm - last admission: 11pm
Access via the Vivienne garden - 5, rue Vivienne 75002 Paris
Further information: www.bnf.fr
What traces does a reader leave in a book? Célia Houdart investigated with the staff of the BnF, who opened to her oriental Bibles, annotated, drawn or censored works; strange, subversive or simply touching gestures. His plan was to draw on all these discoveries to write micro-fictions, imaginary lives. Reading and screening on the occasion of European Museum Night
With financial support from the Fondation Simone et Cino Del Duca - Institut de France
BnF I Richelieu 8 pm - 9 pm
Don't miss this unique cultural experience during the Nuit des Musées 2024 at the BnF. It's a great way to discover the hidden treasures of the Bibliothèque nationale de France and the magnificent Salle Ovale.
Dates and Opening Time
On May 18th, 2024
Prices
Free
Recommended age
For all
Official website
www.bnf.fr
