The Oval Room at the BnF Richelieu: A Public Treasure in the Heart of Paris
Tucked inside the Richelieu site of the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF), the Oval Room — or Salle Ovale — is one of the most stunning places in Paris you’ve probably never stepped into. Open to all, free of charge, and recently restored, it’s a mix of quiet grandeur and public accessibility. Think: reading room meets architectural marvel.
A Short History of a Long Project
The idea for the Oval Room started in 1897, when architect Jean-Louis Pascal designed it as a new reading space for periodicals. Progress was slow. Wars, financial issues, and leadership changes delayed its completion until 1932, when Alfred Recoura picked up the plans. It officially opened in 1936, inaugurated by President Albert Lebrun.
Over the years, the room shifted roles — from housing reference materials to hosting the Institut National d’Histoire de l’Art (INHA). After a major renovation, it reopened in 2022, returning to its original mission: a public reading room for everyone.
Design That Stands Out
The space is massive — 43.7 meters long, 32.8 meters wide, and 18 meters high — but what really makes it special is the layout. The elliptical shape draws your eye to the center, where a raised desk used to oversee the room. Natural light floods in from a huge glass ceiling and sixteen round windows (oculi) etched with the names of ancient cities like Babylon, Jerusalem, and Byzantium.
Below the windows, mosaic-covered arcades and fluted cast-iron columns frame the space. Three levels of open balconies give easy access to books, while the honeycomb-shaped compartments on the ground floor nod to its original function as a periodicals room. Every detail serves a purpose — and looks good doing it.
What You’ll Find Inside
The Oval Room isn’t just beautiful — it’s packed with things to read, watch, and explore.
- Comics, Old to New: Around 9,000 comic books cover everything from Rodolphe Töpffer’s early 19th-century panels to the latest Astérix. Expect Franco-Belgian classics, manga, Marvel heroes, and comics from Africa, Oceania, and the Middle East. You’ll also find books on how comics are made and biographies of key authors.
- Literature and Reference: More than 20,000 volumes are on-site — dictionaries, encyclopedias, French history, genealogy, and over 2,000 works of French literature.
- Special Collections: About 6,000 books connect to the BnF’s specialized departments: Performing Arts, Manuscripts, Maps, Photography, Coins and Medals, Music, and more. These are curated to give the public a window into the library’s vast archives.
- Formats for Everyone: Most resources are available in both print and digital, with access to multimedia tools and online databases.
Interactive Tech That Actually Adds Something
The Oval Room leans into tech in smart ways. Nine digital installations let visitors explore the BnF’s 22 million documents and deep history without overwhelming them. Want to try on 18th-century opera costumes with AR? Done. Curious about how the library preserves ancient manuscripts? There’s a touchscreen for that. Some setups are even games — collaborative, visual, and surprisingly fun.
This upgrade in digital engagement was made possible with support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York.
Plan Your Visit
Location:
Richelieu site — 5 Rue Vivienne, 75002 Paris
Hours:
- Tuesday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Wednesday to Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Closed Mondays and some holidays (like Easter Sunday and Pentecost), but open on May 8, Ascension Thursday, and November 1 & 11.
Good to Know:
- Open to everyone, no registration needed
- Free Wi-Fi via the “BNF” network
- 160 reading seats available
Whether you’re a researcher, a comic book nerd, or just curious, the Oval Room makes a case for why libraries still matter — especially when they look and feel like this.
Don’t Miss: The BNF Museum
Right next to the Oval Room, the Richelieu site also houses the BNF Museum that showcases some of the most precious items from the BnF’s collections. Manuscripts, coins, prints, sculptures, antique globes, and rare musical scores — the museum is a journey through knowledge and art across centuries.
Highlights include treasures like the coronation gospel of Charlemagne, illuminated medieval manuscripts, and a 16th-century celestial globe. The museum is designed to be accessible and engaging, offering a modern display inside a historic space.
Entry is included with general admission to the Richelieu site, and it’s well worth a visit — especially if you’re already there for the Oval Room.