BnF: Bibliothèque Nationale de France (National Library of France)
Posted on 23. Jan, 2009 by Transparent Language in Culture
As a student in Paris, you can really get caught up by Parisian libraries. Why, you may ask? Well, most students spend about 85% of their non-classroom time studying, memorizing, reading, note-taking and researching in libraries. And since my French friends would go there, so would I; although, I didn’t do so much studying as I could be easily distracted as I anxiously awaited our coffee breaks together. Distracted by what??? Well, the books! The long, long tables with students practically arm-to-arm pouring over books and writing notes as quickly as they could or quietly repeating over and over what they were reading in order to memorize it to be able to pour it all out practically word for word on their end-of-semester exams quickly bored me. The immense book collections surrounding the tables drew me in or, over rather. At the start of the school year, I would accompany one of my best French friends to the Bibliothèque universitaire Panthéon Sorbonne (Pantheon Sorbonne university library) as we both attended different Sorbonne classes and it was the nearest library. I couldn’t concentrate there as the lighting seemed too dim and the tables so endless. The crowded rows of students lining the tables made me a bit nervous. But, one Sunday, I decided to go to the National Library François Mitterrand location (there are 5 other National Library locations around Paris) because of an exhibition that I noticed was going on there. To my surprise, I discovered what would become my almost-daily hide-out (supposed study place). It was huge and I fell in love at first sight! There were excellent exhibitions, bright rooms full of books on every subject imaginable, rows and rows of magazines, journals and newspapers in various languages, CDs, films and audiovisuals which you could listen to and watch by reserving a viewing or listening booth (easy to do and I usually got a place quite quickly), a plaza just outside where many street acts continuously performed (excellent for break times) and well-kept, modern bathrooms!
Get there early if you want a spot to study as in my days, the lines of students awaiting entry would extend around the corner and reach two-street blocks long! However, it looks like you can now register at the library website and reserve a spot in advance. The place has much more to offer (including Internet access) and it is definitely worth checking out…even if just a tourist. After ten years, I still have my library card in my billfold as it holds some wonderful memories that I will cherish for years to come.
Click here for an interesting video presentation of what the library has to offer. The presentation is available in French, in French with French subtitles or in English. There are also some virtual visits of the two main locations (including the François Mitterrand site) on the same page which I recommend viewing.
