Bibliothèque nationale de France, site François Mitterrand (Paris)

The "Bibliothèque nationale de France", one of the largest and oldest libraries in the world. The collection originated as the library of the French kings, first held in a tower of the Louvre (Charles V, 1368). It since has added major collections throughout French history, including major confiscations from the nobility and the clergy at the time of the Revolution. Since the Renaissance the collection has benefited from "legal deposit" (dépôt légal), providing the library with copies of every book published in the country. See also other BnF locations in Paris and elsewhere in France.

This Tolbiac site, known as the "Bibliothèque François Mitterrand", houses the main book collection of the BnF and offers public exhibitions and conferences. The building opened in 1996 and was designed, by architect Dominique Perrault, as four towers resembling opened books, surrounding an interior garden.

* Main BnF website,
www.bnf.fr/
* Additional information in English at,
www.fyifrance.com/fyi1pli3.htm#BNdeF