Immerse yourself in unexplored, mythical, or literary worlds through the new exhibition "Imaginary Maps: Inventing Worlds" at the BnF François-Mitterand, from March 24 to July 19, 2026. These maps, which usually trace the contours of known lands, also give shape to imaginary territories, taking visitors on a journey to the boundaries of reality and fiction in an exhibition that aims to be sensory and immersive, thanks to lighting and soundscapes.
This is an opportunity to familiarize yourself with cartography through 200 works combining medieval parchments and contemporary art, atlases and printed books, drawings and video games, from the Garden of Eden to Atlantis, from El Dorado to the world of Narnia, from Game of Thrones to Final Fantasy. The exhibition, designed to appeal to all ages, takes visitors on a journey through four stops, the first of which is the era of medieval encyclopedias, where unexplored worlds were represented by fantastical creatures borrowed from ancient and religious sources, which disappeared in the 18th century.
The second presents legendary worlds, imaginary places that were believed to be real and to which cartographers assigned a terrestrial location, illustrating the desire to anchor mythical places in space. Then, you can explore literary worlds, with imaginary maps that give substance to narrative universes, from realism to fantasy, before arriving at the final stop, which brings together ancient works and works by contemporary artists.
Dates and Opening Time
From March 24, 2026 to July 19, 2026
Location
BnF - Site François Mitterrand
Quai François Mauriac
75013 Paris 13
Prices
Tarif réduit: €8
Plein tarif: €10
Official website
www.bnf.fr
