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The Salle Labrouste, BnF Richelieu site
The Salle Labrouste, BnF Richelieu site. Peccadille, CC BY 4.0
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The Salle Labrouste, BnF Richelieu site. Photo: Peccadille, CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Salle_Labrouste_3.jpg
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Labrouste Reading Room, BnF

Paris, France, 1861–68

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  1. Cyril5C, CC BY-SA 4.0

    • Bibliotheque Nationale doorway

      Object

      The words BIBLIOTHEQUE NATIONALE are carved above this doorway on rue Vivienne. This is the Richelieu site of the BnF. The library says the site has two entrances, at 58 rue de Richelieu and 5 rue Vivienne, and is open to all, with a cafe, a book shop and a garden.

      primary Source

  2. Cyril5C, CC BY-SA 4.0

    • Gate and trees on rue Vivienne

      Object

      An iron gate with trees behind it, beside the library front on rue Vivienne. The BnF describes a 1,900 m2 garden on rue Vivienne at this site, on the ground where Cardinal Mazarin had the garden of his palace laid out in the 17th century.

      primary Source

  3. Cyril5C, CC BY-SA 4.0

    • Richelieu's southern corner

      Object

      The Richelieu block from near rue Vivienne and rue des Petits-Champs. The BnF's own history bounds the site by these two streets, along with rue de Richelieu and rue Colbert. It also places Galerie Colbert on the other side of rue Vivienne.

      primary Source

  4. Cyril5C, CC BY-SA 4.0

    • Jardin Vivienne

      Object

      A 1,900 m2 garden on rue Vivienne at the Richelieu site, by Mirabelle Croizier, Antoine Quenardel and Gilles Clement. Its plants are those used for writing materials: paper mulberry, bamboo, rice-paper plant, papyrus and paper birch. It reinstates the garden of Mazarin's palace, later recreated by Labrouste.

      primary Source

  5. Cyril5C, CC BY-SA 4.0

    • Richelieu's north-east corner

      Object

      The Richelieu block near rue Vivienne and rue Colbert. The BnF says the last north-east plots at this corner were acquired in 1882, allowing Jean-Desire Pascal to complete the quadrilateral with new buildings, including the Salle Ovale.

      primary Source

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The record

Worth knowing

  • Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, worth knowing: Property seized in the French Revolution doubled the collections within twenty years, with no new space to hold them.

    primarybnf.fr
    Cite
    Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, worth knowing: Property seized in the French Revolution doubled the collections within twenty years, with no new space to hold them.
Source: https://www.bnf.fr/en/story-renaissance
Evidence tier: primary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/bnf/#f-1f0jger
    Dispute#

  • Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, worth knowing: The Labrouste reading room banned gas lighting for fear of fire, so its opening hours followed the daylight through the year.

    primarybnf.fr
    Cite
    Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, worth knowing: The Labrouste reading room banned gas lighting for fear of fire, so its opening hours followed the daylight through the year.
Source: https://www.bnf.fr/en/story-renaissance
Evidence tier: primary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/bnf/#f-0355ezk
    Dispute#

  • Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, worth knowing: The Royal Library shared its site with the Stock Exchange from 1724 and the Exchequer from 1793.

    primarybnf.fr
    Cite
    Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, worth knowing: The Royal Library shared its site with the Stock Exchange from 1724 and the Exchequer from 1793.
Source: https://www.bnf.fr/en/story-renaissance
Evidence tier: primary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/bnf/#f-0hk57kg
    Dispute#

  • Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, worth knowing: Thirty-six medallions around the reading room honour writers, and only one is a woman.

    primarybnf.fr
    Cite
    Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, worth knowing: Thirty-six medallions around the reading room honour writers, and only one is a woman.
Source: https://www.bnf.fr/en/story-renaissance
Evidence tier: primary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/bnf/#f-16h8vk6
    Dispute#

  • Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, worth knowing: When it opened in 1868 the reading room had pipes under each table to warm readers' feet.

    primarybnf.fr
    Cite
    Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, worth knowing: When it opened in 1868 the reading room had pipes under each table to warm readers' feet.
Source: https://www.bnf.fr/en/story-renaissance
Evidence tier: primary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/bnf/#f-06ne4ad
    Dispute#

Location

  • Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, location: Richelieu site: first establishment in Cardinal Mazarin former palace in 1721-1722.

    primarybnf.fr
    Cite
    Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, location: Richelieu site: first establishment in Cardinal Mazarin former palace in 1721-1722.
Source: https://www.bnf.fr/en/richelieu-site-palace-heart-paris
Evidence tier: primary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/bnf/#f-1rvq8pc
    Dispute#

  • Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, location: The Richelieu site was the main location of the library for 275 years, 1721 to 1996.

    wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
    Cite
    Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, location: The Richelieu site was the main location of the library for 275 years, 1721 to 1996.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblioth%C3%A8que_nationale_de_France
Evidence tier: wikipedia
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/bnf/#f-0pb2as3
    Dispute#

Built

  • Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, built: 1861-1868

    primarybnf.fr
    Cite
    Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, built: 1861-1868
Source: https://www.bnf.fr/fr/le-site-richelieu-un-palais-au-coeur-de-paris
Evidence tier: primary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/bnf/#f-0i4pgqo
    Dispute#

  • Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, built: Storeroom built for 1.2 million volumes, already too small on opening day

    primarybnf.fr
    Cite
    Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, built: Storeroom built for 1.2 million volumes, already too small on opening day
Source: https://www.bnf.fr/en/richelieu-site-palace-heart-paris
Evidence tier: primary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/bnf/#f-1xz9w7l
    Dispute#

Architect

  • Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, architect: Henri Labrouste

    primarybnf.fr
    Cite
    Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, architect: Henri Labrouste
Source: https://www.bnf.fr/fr/le-site-richelieu-un-palais-au-coeur-de-paris
Evidence tier: primary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/bnf/#f-1qiik9i
    Dispute#

  • Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, architect: Oval Room construction by Jean-Louis Pascal began in 1897; completed in 1932 by Alfred Recoura

    primarybnf.fr
    Cite
    Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, architect: Oval Room construction by Jean-Louis Pascal began in 1897; completed in 1932 by Alfred Recoura
Source: https://www.bnf.fr/en/richelieu-site-palace-heart-paris
Evidence tier: primary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/bnf/#f-1tqn3gu
    Dispute#

Size

  • Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, size: nine tile-clad domes on sixteen slender cast-iron columns

    primarybnf.fr
    Cite
    Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, size: nine tile-clad domes on sixteen slender cast-iron columns
Source: https://www.bnf.fr/fr/le-site-richelieu-un-palais-au-coeur-de-paris
Evidence tier: primary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/bnf/#f-1184xhv
    Dispute#

  • Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, size: Oval Room 43.70 m by 32.80 m, 18 m high

    primarybnf.fr
    Cite
    Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, size: Oval Room 43.70 m by 32.80 m, 18 m high
Source: https://www.bnf.fr/fr/le-site-richelieu-un-palais-au-coeur-de-paris
Evidence tier: primary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/bnf/#f-1tox7zw
    Dispute#

Collection

  • Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, collection: Library traces its origin to the royal library founded at the Louvre Palace by Charles V in 1368.

    wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
    Cite
    Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, collection: Library traces its origin to the royal library founded at the Louvre Palace by Charles V in 1368.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblioth%C3%A8que_nationale_de_France
Evidence tier: wikipedia
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/bnf/#f-1645hk6
    Dispute#

  • Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, collection: Collection transferred to England in 1424

    wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
    Cite
    Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, collection: Collection transferred to England in 1424
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblioth%C3%A8que_nationale_de_France
Evidence tier: wikipedia
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/bnf/#f-0w70pjz
    Dispute#

  • Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, collection: Gallica's ten millionth document was added on 30 March 2023

    wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
    Cite
    Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, collection: Gallica's ten millionth document was added on 30 March 2023
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblioth%C3%A8que_nationale_de_France
Evidence tier: wikipedia
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/bnf/#f-10dxycf
    Dispute#

  • Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, collection: The site housed a storeroom of the Rare Book Reserve until 1998

    primarybnf.fr
    Cite
    Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, collection: The site housed a storeroom of the Rare Book Reserve until 1998
Source: https://www.bnf.fr/en/richelieu-site-palace-heart-paris
Evidence tier: primary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/bnf/#f-069t5f3
    Dispute#

Status today

  • Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, status today: Richelieu site reopened September 2022 after more than a decade of renovation

    primarybnf.fr
    Cite
    Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, status today: Richelieu site reopened September 2022 after more than a decade of renovation
Source: https://www.bnf.fr/fr/le-site-richelieu-un-palais-au-coeur-de-paris
Evidence tier: primary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/bnf/#f-0hx8bha
    Dispute#

  • Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, status today: Closed for works in September 2016; reopened in 2022 as a freely accessible room

    primarybnf.fr
    Cite
    Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, status today: Closed for works in September 2016; reopened in 2022 as a freely accessible room
Source: https://www.bnf.fr/en/richelieu-site-palace-heart-paris
Evidence tier: primary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/bnf/#f-0zd8rpu
    Dispute#

What happened here

  1. 1368Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, founded, 1368: Royal library founded at the Louvre by Charles V

    wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
    Cite
    Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, founded, 1368: Royal library founded at the Louvre by Charles V
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblioth%C3%A8que_nationale_de_France
Evidence tier: wikipedia
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/bnf/#e-1a9dohx
    Dispute#

  2. 1424Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, lost, 1424: Collection transferred to England

    wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
    Cite
    Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, lost, 1424: Collection transferred to England
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblioth%C3%A8que_nationale_de_France
Evidence tier: wikipedia
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/bnf/#e-1ytdiva
    Dispute#

  3. 1692Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, opened, 1692: Library opens to the public

    wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
    Cite
    Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, opened, 1692: Library opens to the public
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblioth%C3%A8que_nationale_de_France
Evidence tier: wikipedia
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/bnf/#e-1ncn46f
    Dispute#

  4. 1741Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, opened, 1741: Cabinet du Roi opened to visitors

    primarybnf.fr
    Cite
    Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, opened, 1741: Cabinet du Roi opened to visitors
Source: https://www.bnf.fr/en/richelieu-site-palace-heart-paris
Evidence tier: primary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/bnf/#e-1xtyuh6
    Dispute#

  5. 1868Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, built, 1868: Salle Labrouste built

    primarybnf.fr
    Cite
    Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, built, 1868: Salle Labrouste built
Source: https://www.bnf.fr/fr/le-site-richelieu-un-palais-au-coeur-de-paris
Evidence tier: primary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/bnf/#e-0qjtvmp
    Dispute#

  6. 1868Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, opened, 1868: The Labrouste reading room opens to readers in June.

    primarybnf.fr
    Cite
    Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, opened, 1868: The Labrouste reading room opens to readers in June.
Source: https://www.bnf.fr/en/story-renaissance
Evidence tier: primary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/bnf/#e-1441fak
    Dispute#

  7. 1932Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, built, 1932: Oval Room completed by Alfred Recoura

    primarybnf.fr
    Cite
    Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, built, 1932: Oval Room completed by Alfred Recoura
Source: https://www.bnf.fr/en/richelieu-site-palace-heart-paris
Evidence tier: primary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/bnf/#e-0dngmfz
    Dispute#

  8. 2016Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, closed, 2016: Richelieu site closed for works (September)

    primarybnf.fr
    Cite
    Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, closed, 2016: Richelieu site closed for works (September)
Source: https://www.bnf.fr/en/richelieu-site-palace-heart-paris
Evidence tier: primary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/bnf/#e-187olj3
    Dispute#

  9. 2022Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, reopened, 2022: Richelieu site reopened (Sept 2022)

    primarybnf.fr
    Cite
    Labrouste Reading Room, BnF, reopened, 2022: Richelieu site reopened (Sept 2022)
Source: https://www.bnf.fr/fr/le-site-richelieu-un-palais-au-coeur-de-paris
Evidence tier: primary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/bnf/#e-18nkixa
    Dispute#

Photographs

Reading tables and iron columns of the Salle Labrouste
Reading tables and iron columns of the Salle Labrouste. Ricardalovesmonuments, CC BY-SA 4.0
Use this photo
Reading tables and iron columns of the Salle Labrouste. Photo: Ricardalovesmonuments, CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/), via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Biblioth%C3%A8que_nationale_de_France,_Salle_Labrouste,_14_September_2019_02.jpg
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Murals and domes of the Salle Labrouste
Murals and domes of the Salle Labrouste. Ricardalovesmonuments, CC BY-SA 4.0
Use this photo
Murals and domes of the Salle Labrouste. Photo: Ricardalovesmonuments, CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/), via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Biblioth%C3%A8que_nationale_de_France,_Salle_Labrouste,_14_September_2019_03.jpg
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The domed ceiling of the Salle Labrouste
The domed ceiling of the Salle Labrouste. MOSSOT, CC BY-SA 4.0
Use this photo
The domed ceiling of the Salle Labrouste. Photo: MOSSOT, CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/), via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Biblioth%C3%A8que_nationale_de_France_-_Site_Richelieu-Louvois_-_Salle_Labrouste_-_Vo%C3%BBte_-3.JPG
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Entrance of the Bibliotheque nationale, rue de Richelieu
Entrance of the Bibliotheque nationale, rue de Richelieu. Adelphilos, CC BY-SA 4.0
Use this photo
Entrance of the Bibliotheque nationale, rue de Richelieu. Photo: Adelphilos, CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/), via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fronton_d%27entr%C3%A9e_de_la_Biblioth%C3%A8que_nationale_de_France_-_rue_de_Richelieu.jpg
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The stone facade of the Richelieu site of the Bibliothèque nationale de France seen from the square Louvois, through the trees.
The stone facade of the Richelieu site of the Bibliothèque nationale de France seen from the square Louvois, through the trees.. Remi Mathis, CC BY-SA 3.0
Use this photo
The stone facade of the Richelieu site of the Bibliothèque nationale de France seen from the square Louvois, through the trees.. Photo: Remi Mathis, CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/), via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Biblioth%C3%A8que_nationale_de_France_-_site_Richelieu_-_fa%C3%A7ade_rue_de_Richelieu_depuis_square_Louvois.jpg
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A 19th-century albumen photograph of the Richelieu wing of the Bibliothèque nationale seen from the rue de Louvois, trees in front of the long facade.
A 19th-century albumen photograph of the Richelieu wing of the Bibliothèque nationale seen from the rue de Louvois, trees in front of the long facade.. Durandelle, Louis-Émile (1839-1917). Photographe, Public domain
Use this photo
A 19th-century albumen photograph of the Richelieu wing of the Bibliothèque nationale seen from the rue de Louvois, trees in front of the long facade.. Photo: Durandelle, Louis-Émile (1839-1917). Photographe, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Paris,_Biblioth%C3%A8que_nationale,_aile_Richelieu_-_vue_d%27ensemble_de_fa%C3%A7ade_principale,_depuis_la_rue_de_Louvois_-_btv1b530281145.jpg
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Books from this library

Sources