Worth a Journey

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The World’s 100 Best Libraries

Bibliothèque nationale de France, Richelieu

Paris, France

  1. THE WORLD’S BEST LIBRARIES WORTH A JOURNEY · 2026 ✦ ✦ N° 11 2026
Bibliothèque nationale de France, Richelieu

National library in Paris, housed in the former palace of Cardinal Mazarin and reopened in 2022 after twelve years of renovation. Visitors see the Oval Room's glass dome and galleries of books, plus a museum, garden and café.

Highlights

  • Salle Ovale glass dome
  • Salle Labrouste vaulted reading room
  • Museum and internal garden

Good to know

  • Oval Room entry is free, no card or booking
  • Museum requires a paid ticket
  • Some reading rooms reserved for researchers

Also in France

  1. Bibliothèque Oscar Niemeyer N° 55 Bibliothèque Oscar Niemeyer Le Havre Public library
  2. Bibliothèque francophone multimédia N° 64 Bibliothèque francophone multimédia Limoges Public library