French National Library (Bibliothèque Nationale de France) Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the French National Library. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Lunch & Sightseeing Cruise
• Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise
• Private Cruise to Discover Paris
• Paris Capitaine Fracasse 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise
• Seine River Christmas Cruise Lunch or Dinner by Bateaux Parisiens

The cost of admission to the French National Library varies for the public library, research library, and cultural areas. One of the best tickets to get is the BnF lecture/culture pass that costs €24 and includes access to the reading room, museum, exhibitions, concerts, and live events.

To reach the French National Library via metro, take the M3 subway to the Bourse station less than a block away. The bus numbers 29 and 39 also stop outside the library. The nearest train station is Gare de l’Est, about 2 miles (3 kilometers) away.

Yes, the French National Library is open to tourists, though some areas of the research library are only open to qualified scholars, students, and others who are formally conducting research. There are also guided tours, workshops, and other activities, such as presentations on the collections, that the public can join.

Yes, there are options for eating within the French National Library. In the West Hall of the public library, you’ll find Café des Globes, offering both hot and cold items and drinks. The East Hall has Club de l’Est and a small seating area with vending machines. The Café des Temps is in the research library.

The French National Library’s collections include artifacts such as Charlemagne’s chessboard, the Great Cameo of France, and the Throne of Dagobert. One of the main exhibits that rotates annually is the “Revolutions” show in the Mazarin Gallery, highlighting photographs and other works and objects from specific revolutions.