The BnF Richelieu announces its reopening in September

This reopening “coincides with the tercentenary of its first installation in the former Mazarin palace, in 1721-1722”, she added.

The date chosen is the weekend of the European Heritage Days, September 17 and 18.

Visitors will then discover a new garden, rue Vivienne, which "will enhance a set of papyriferous plants" in a district with few green spaces, but also a brand new museum offering some treasures from the collections of the Library such as Greek vases or the throne of King Dagobert.

"These rooms, some of which were accessible to the public, were not thought of as a museum. This time, it is on display and open to all, exceptional places such as the former reading room of the Cabinet of Medals, the Cabinet Louis XV", explained to AFP the president of the BnF, Laurence Engel.

This huge architectural complex, which required extensive upgrading, has been completely redesigned to make it more open, functional and airy.

After the opening in 1998 of another site for the BnF, the François-Mitterrand Library in the 13th arrondissement, Richelieu was reserved for specialized departments: Manuscripts, Prints and Photography, Coins, Medals and Antiquities, Performing Arts and music, Maps and plans.

If the researchers are the historical users of this library, the general public will be called upon to frequent its majestic reading room, the Oval room, to leaf through, among other things, 9.000 comic strips in free access.

The work cost 248 million euros, indicates the website of the BnF.