Origin and history
The Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF) originated in the royal library founded in 1368 by Charles V at the Louvre. This first collection, composed of 917 manuscripts, was dispersed under English occupation in the 15th century. It was only from the reign of Louis XI (1461-1483) that the royal library enjoyed continuity, gradually becoming richer under its successors, thanks in particular to Francis I, who established the legal deposit in 1537 and entrusted Guillaume Budé with the custody of the collections. The library was transferred several times (Amboise, Blois, Fontainebleau) before settling permanently in Paris under Henri IV, then in the Hotel de Nevers under Louis XV, where it was opened to the public in 1692.
The French Revolution marked a turning point with the transformation of the Royal Library into a National Library, enriched by the confiscation of the property of emigrants and religious establishments abolished. In the 19th century, major expansions were made, notably by Henri Labrouste, who built the famous reading room. In 1994, the BnF became an administrative public institution, and the François-Mitterrand site, designed by Dominique Perrault, was inaugurated in 1995. This new site, located in the 13th arrondissement, symbolizes modernity with its four open book-shaped towers and a central garden of 9,000 m2, while sheltering exceptional heritage collections.
The François-Mitterrand site, often called the "Très Grande Bibliothèque" (TGB), was designed to meet the needs of a universal library, accessible to all and using the most advanced technologies. It now hosts more than 15 million documents, including illuminated medieval manuscripts, incunables, original scores, and digital archives. The historic site of Richelieu, renovated between 2010 and 2022, houses specialized departments, such as the Cabinet des Médailles, and a museum presenting the treasures of the BnF. BnF also plays a key role in digitizing and disseminating cultural heritage, including through its Gallica digital library, which provides access to over 11 million documents.
The BnF is organized into several directorates and departments, covering various fields such as collections, conservation, national and international cooperation, and cultural activities. She collaborates with other French and foreign libraries, participates in European projects such as Europeana, and develops research and publishing activities. Its budget, mainly financed by the State, enables it to carry out its tasks of collecting, preserving and disseminating knowledge, while modernizing its infrastructure and services.
Among BnF's most remarkable collections are medieval illuminated manuscripts, autograph scores of famous composers (such as Mozart or Beethoven), original literary works (from Proust to Sartre), and unique historical documents, such as the Papyrus Prisse or the Jikji, the oldest printed in the world with mobile metal characters. The Richelieu site, after its renovation, offers a permanent museum highlighting these treasures, while the François-Mitterrand site continues to welcome researchers and the general public in spaces dedicated to consultation and discovery.
The BnF was also criticized, particularly during its construction, due to its high cost and some initial malfunctions. However, it is now recognized as a major institution, both for the richness of its collections and for its role in preserving and valuing the written and digital heritage. His commitment to international cooperation, the digitisation of funds, and the organization of exhibitions and cultural events make him an indispensable player in French intellectual and cultural life.
