Nights of Reading 2026: Evening reading event in the Oval Room at the Richelieu Branch of the National Library of France

Under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, the Nuits de la Lecture is celebrating its 10th anniversary from January 21 to 25, 2026. This year’s theme, "Cities and Countryside," calls for a collective celebration dedicated to the joy of reading. Five lively evenings will transform venues of knowledge into vibrant gathering spaces. From libraries to museums, free and accessible performances will put books front and center in our daily lives, inviting everyone to share in the worlds created by authors' imaginations.

What better place to share a love of books than a historic library? Join us on January 24th from 7 PM to 8 PM. Steeped in history as the birthplace of the Bibliothèque nationale de France, the Richelieu site is an architectural masterpiece nestled in the heart of the 2nd arrondissement. After a major renovation, it reveals stunning spaces like the Oval Room and the BnF Museum. A true temple of memory, this site houses treasures from medieval manuscripts to theatrical costumes, offering a luminous haven of history and knowledge for scholars and curious visitors alike.

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This Year’s Night of Reading Program at the Richelieu Library

As part of the 2025 Nights of Reading, the National Library of France, the National Institute of Art History, and the National School of Charters - PSL are offering a series of open-to-all reading events. At the Richelieu site of the BnF, actors Dominique Reymond and Laurent Poitrenaux bring to life Raymond Queneau's "Small Portable Cosmogony, a Major Text."

Published in 1950, this lengthy scientific poem in six cantos traces the history of the world from its creation to the modern mechanized age. A curious explorer of knowledge, Queneau blends astrophysics, cosmic chronology, and linguistic inventiveness, sprinkling his narrative with vivid expressions, playful quote alterations, and commentary titles that evoke the storytelling flair of a slide-show presenter.

The chosen staging highlights the musicality of the words and the rhythm of the sentences, providing the audience with a unique theatrical experience in the stunning Oval Hall at Richelieu. Admission is free, but registration is recommended!