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The biggest library in Paris will soon close its doors!

undefined undefined 12 mai 2026 undefined 08h30

undefined undefined 20 juillet 2026 undefined 09h39

The Editor

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This announcement could hit like a bombshell for thousands of Parisians. A key spot for student life and a haven for remote workers, this iconic library in the 13th arrondissement might be forced to close its doors. The reason? An aging building, massive renovation work, and a future that's more than uncertain. Let us explain why this essential place is currently under threat.

Let's not kid ourselves; the news hits like a bad grade on a law exam. While the Centre Pompidou has already closed its doors for renovations, it’s now the BNF (Bibliothèque Nationale de France) that might be forced to close its doors, either partially or completely, in the coming years. For the thousands of students who daily crowd the reading rooms of quai François-Mauriac, the question is critical: where will you finish your theses? 

A weary building

Inaugurated in the 1990s, the celebratedThe monument shaped like books seems to be already out of breath. The situation is clear: the building is aging badly and quickly. It’s a frustrating observation, with outdated fire safety systems, an air conditioning system on its last legs, and glass facades that require tremendous upkeep. Moreover, the renovation costs are steep (as Niska would say): we’re talking about urgent renovations estimated to be over 500 million euros by 2029.©Kiev.Victor

 

The Domino Effect 

After the closure of the BPI in Beaubourg, the BNF remained one of the last great bastions for studying in peace with a little wifi when it actually decided to cooperate. With its four towers symbolizing open books, it is the second most visited library by Parisian students. 

If it is forced to close, it will be a true earthquake for student life.

Where will the thousands of "garden squatters" go? We fear a seating war at dawn in front of Sainte-Barbe or the Sorbonne, and a forced retreat to coffee shops. It's an entire generation that finds itself without its favorite sanctuary.

So, is the BNF really going to become a ghost town? For now, let's just keep our fingers crossed that the construction can happen in phases, without completely shutting us out from our favorite spot. Stay tuned, but in the meantime, make the most of it while the doors are still open.

National Library of France
Quai François Mauriac — 13th
From Monday to Sunday
More info