Nuit des Musées 2024: the BnF Richelieu museum and its oval room to be visited by night

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.

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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.

On the program for Nuit des Musées 2024 at the BNF Richelieu:

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.