Bibliothèque Nationale, French National Library, Building Photographs, Architect
French National Library Building
Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris, France – design by Bruno Gaudin & Virginie Brégal Architectes
28 Jan 2017
Bibliothèque Nationale de France in Paris
Design: Bruno Gaudin & Virginie Brégal Architectes
Location: 58 rue de Richelieu, Paris 75001, France
Bibliothèque Nationale de France in Paris

The historical site of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, rue de Richelieu*, has just reopened after ten years of complete renovation by the architects Bruno Gaudin and Virginie Brégal.

In the early 2000s, observing this aging edifice led to the inevitable conclusion the site had become obsolete. This included its technical and security installations, the conditions under which the public was received, as well as working conditions and conditions for conservation of the collections. The building no longer fulfilled the role for which it had been designed. A major overhaul had become urgently necessary. And this could no longer be carried out ?bit by bit?, as had been done since the late 1950s ? period during which Michel Roux-Spitz?s extensions were completed ? but rather by means of a major campaign of works on the scale of the entire complex of buildings on the site.
The outcome of the negotiated deal included the general project management being entrusted to Bruno Gaudin?s architecture office. The restoration of the Salle Labrouste, a struc...