Bibliothèque nationale de France

Palais Royal

Today, the BnF is divided into several sites, the two main ones being the Haut-de-Jardin library (François Mitterrand) and the Richelieu site. The latter houses the arts and entertainment departments, maps and plans, prints and photography, manuscripts, coins, medals and antiques.
The Richelieu library, historic home of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France in the heart of Paris's 2nd arrondissement, has reopened its doors after several years of renovations.
This historical site traces its history back to the 14th century. Manuscripts, Illumination books were being collected by the French King Charles V. The Richelieu site is the cradle of the National Library; it hosts art books ranging from the oldest manuscripts kept in France to contemporary ones, a collection of medals, coins and antiques, prints and photographs. Recently renovated, the court, the rotunda, the glass gallery have regained their splendor. The salle Labrouste (study room) will be seen from the outside as it is accessible only to the researchers and students.
Come and discover with the guide provided by the BnF, this amazing site.

8 Rue de Montpensier
75001 PARIS
Located in 1st arrondissement
Official website: http://www.domaine-palais-royal.fr/

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Nearest metro stations to Eiffel Tower are:

Palais Royal - Musee du Louvre
4 mins walk

Originally known as the 'Cardinal Palace' as Cardinal Richelieu had, in the 17th century, acquired a series of buildings near to the Louvre Palace (he wanted to be close) and put his architect Jacques Lemercier to work in modifying them to form his new palace.In 1636 Richelieu ceded the palace to King Louis XIII and in 1642 his widow, Queen Anne of Austria moved her family there including the young King Louis XIV after which it became known as the Royal Palace.It continued to house royal families up until the Palace of Versailles was built.

Considering it is just a short walk from the Louvre,once you enter through its screened entrance and through the arched galleries lined with shops you will be surprised as to how quiet it can be out of high season.The main courtyard houses the interesting columns of Daniel Buren and the fountains of Pol Bury.

The gardens are a favourite spot for tourists and locals alike to come and stroll plus ihe Comédie-Française theatre and the Grand-Véfour restaurant with its listed décor are also very popular visits.

century and bequeathed to the crown on his death in 1642, it became the 'Royal Palace' when Queen Anne of Austria moved her family there including the young King Louis XIV.

Built and fitted out for Cardinal Richelieu in the 17th century, the Cardinal Palace was bequeathed to the crown on his death in 1642. Queen Anne of Austria moved there with the young King Louis XIV and his brother, and the palace became then Royal Palace. Subsequently, the Orleans family will occupy the domain until the revolution when it becomes national domain.
The exceptional 18th century architectural ensemble that surrounds the garden, was created in 1781 by the architect Victor Louis
In 1992, the landscaper Mark Rudkin was responsible for renovating the lawns and beds of the garden by creating spaces of tranquility for walkers .
In the main courtyard, since 1986, the famous columns of Daniel Buren have been installed.

The 180 arcades of the gallery overlook the magnificent garden with the central basin, which mixes historic marble statues with more modern sculptures: the columns of Buren and the polished steel balls of Bury.

Always a good idea to go. It's in the middle of the city and so quiet and beautiful. Under the porches very nice shops where we can buy also something to drink and have a relaxing promenade. Benches under the trees with a good book to read! So good. Beautiful in all seasons.

The walker accesses the garden through galleries lined with shops. The main courtyard houses the columns of Daniel Buren and the fountains of Pol Bury. The Orleans gallery separates the main courtyard from the garden where four double rows of lime trees cut in marquise line the garden paths. Between these alignments, two large lawns bordered by flower beds frame the large central basin and its water features. At the ends of the flowerbeds, a space is set up for walkers. Surrounded and protected by flower beds, they can rest and admire the garden and the architecture of the palace.

We would even recommend jumping off at the station in between Trocadéro and Bir-Hakeim, Passy, to get a view of what looks like the train coming out of the nearby apartment blocks! Don't worry, you will not have long to wait until the next train comes along.