Open every day of the year (except May 1, Labor Day), the Bibliothèque Publique d'Information is one of the French capital's must-see libraries. With training facilities, hundreds of thousands of books available for consultation on site, and accessibility for all at all times, it's one of Paris's major libraries.
Within the Centre Georges Pompidou, access to the BPI is from the second floor: by the way, don't get the wrong queue to get there, there's one for people wishing to go to the Centre Pompidou and another for those wishing to come to the BPI (they are indicated with signs and color codes; the green queue is for the BPI). With a wait that can sometimes last several hours (especially during term-time), the BPI is as popular as it is rich and free to all.
Not only is admission free and unconditional (no ID or contact details required), but many of the services are also free. Whether you're here to study for your mid-term exams and consult one of the 375,000 books in the BPI's public collections, to telework in complete peace and quiet and benefit from free wifi, or to keep up to date with the latest news by consulting the press, there's plenty of space to spend the day on one of the 2,000 seats available for free access until late at night (10pm), and even on Sundays!
On-site computer workstations let you do all your research free of charge, consult the BPI's huge catalog (accessible online, if you're looking for a particular catalog in particular), train yourself in new skills or learn new languages in theself-study area... A collection ofeasy-to-read books is also available, with large print or books at an accessible language level for people learning French. The BPI also offersa range of services that are particularly worth knowing about: an anonymous helpline, a legal helpline, a healthcare helpline, a public writer's helpline to help you draw up any type of document, etc. A reprography service (for a fee) is also available on site, enabling you to scan, print or photocopy from a PC or USB key every day from 2pm to 7pm.
Here, the only difference with a "classic" library is that the BPI is a public reading library and therefore does not lend out its documents, which remain freely accessible to all, all day long. However, you have the opportunity to listen to, view or consult any type of document when you come in (and sometimes even online from home), whether in themusic area (CDs, vinyls...), thevideo area (films, films...), thecomics and mangaarea, thepress area... And don't forget the library's rich program, which includes year-round workshops to help you build your CV or learn French, several cultural festivals(Effractions, Press Start and Cinéma du Réel), regular exhibitions...
For lunch breaks, you can enjoy a coffee in the corridor, or eat in the library cafeteria. Whether you want to study, telework or consult the vast collection of books available in its aisles, the BPI is one of Paris's not-to-be-missed libraries!
BPI services
- self-study area for learning new languages or developing new skills
- free workshops to learn French
- anonymous listening service
- free computer access all day long
- over 375,000 books available for free consultation or online
- a reprography service (for a fee)
- dressing rooms equipped for the visually impaired
- legal hotline
- writer's desk to help you draw up all kinds of documents
- a health care access service to refer you to a health care provider if necessary
- recharging cabinet if you haven't brought your phone charger with you
- free wifi
Dates and Opening Time
From September 20th, 2023 to December 31th, 2027
Location
BPI - Public information library
25 Rue du Renard
75004 Paris 4
Access
M° Rambuteau (line 11)
Prices
Free
Official website
www.bpi.fr
More information
Open from 12am to 10pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 11am to 10pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
