The Bibliothèque Richelieu is part of the French National library (BnF). In fact, it was its main location since the 17th century, until President François Mitterrand’s decision to have a modern facility built by architect Dominique Perrault (1995).
Since the inauguration of the new Bibliothèque François Mitterrand, a complete restructuration of the historic BnF location was initiated. Initial studies took many years, given that all of this full block, centrally located within a most historic Paris area, combined the Hotel Particulier of Charles de Tuboeuf (1635) and a small edifice initially built for Mazarin.
The renovation work started in 2011, and was completed in 2022 with the complete opening of the old BnF site. All areas are opened to the public, including, the coffee and a new passage between the rue de Richelieu and the rue Vivienne.
One of the highlight of the visit is the renovated salle de lecture Labrouste (1936), named after it’s architect.
The spectacular galerie Mazarin is now part of the permanent Museum exhibiting some of the most famous BnF treasures.
Only partly opened, the gardens will be finished during the fall of 2022.
Not 10mn away from your place, you can visit of of Paris newest historic landmark: the Bibliothèque National de France historic site, newly renovated. This is perfect combined with a coffee in the Galerie Vivienne (1823), and a stroll in the Jardin du Palais Royal.
Rue Jean Jacques Rousseau 