Research at Richelieu

BnF ~ Richelieu Library
(Bourse, 2eme arrondissement)

Oval Salon

Richelieu is one branch of the massive institution that is Bibliothèque Nationale de France (BnF) or the National Library of France. 


Richelieu Library's impressive grand salon is worth seeing and is as awe-inspiring as the collection held within its archive. 


Viviane Thomas eloquently  describes the oval reading room at Richelieu and the history behind this incredible library and some of the other outstanding libraries in Paris. Click here for her article: http://www.francetoday.com/articles/2012/04/16/paris_by_the_book.html

Arts du Spectacles Reading Room

Housing BnF's special collections such
as performing arts, prints and photographs, manuscripts, maps and plans, Richelieu holds an unprecedented amount of materials.


I am working in a beautiful reading room and accessing documents from the Arts du Spectacle and Bibliothèque l'Arsenal collections.

A red carpeted white marble staircase leads to the Arts du Spectacles' Reading Room, framed by graceful wrought-iron that graces every window in the city. 


Richelieu also holds multiple exhibits through out the year. Currently, the library displays coins and monnaies in it's Department of Monnaies, médailles et antiques.

Currently, Richelieu is undergoing renovations, in order to expand the services and materials it offers to researchers and the public. 




The modern entrance blends with the 18th and 19th century buildings that make up a large portion of the complex. 


Getting into Richelieu and BnF as a researcher the first time, I'd been told, could be as difficult as getting a reservation at Spagos, Beverly Hills, heehee (reference for you Californians). 



But, to my surprise, I had no problems and the orientation was thorough. I promptly forgot everything I was told--about the intricate and multifaceted process one must go through in order to actually use the library--as soon as I stood up to leave the registration and researchers membership office, smile. Thankfully, I was handed a load of brochures/guides to research as I walked out. 

And just across the street from Richelieu there's an antique book dealer, right next to a Jean Paul Gautier Boutique, Paris baby--yeah!!! Smile.What else could a girl need in life, books and haute couture! These are just some of the photos that I have shamelessly taken while researching at Richelieu~

more soon,

t.