The National Library of France, known as the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF), stands today as a monumental institution in Paris, a national repository for all published works in France. Its extensive collections, encompassing books, manuscripts, precious objects, and artworks, are housed across two main sites: Richelieu and François-Mitterrand. This public establishment operates under the Ministry of Culture, tasked with collecting, conserving,
and making available to the public the vast intellectual output of the nation. The library also plays a crucial role in producing a national reference catalog, collaborating with other institutions, and participating in research programs.
Royal Beginnings and Early Challenges
The origins of the National Library of France can be traced back to 1368, with the royal library established by Charles V at the Louvre Palace. Charles V inherited a collection of manuscripts from his predecessor, John II, and moved them from the Palais de la Cité to the Louvre. Early librarians, such as Claude Mallet, the king's valet de chambre, meticulously cataloged these holdings, with subsequent lists compiled by Jean Blanchet in 1380 and Jean de Bégue in 1411 and 1424. Charles V was a significant patron of learning, actively encouraging the creation and collection of books, even employing scholars like Nicholas Oresme and Raoul de Presles to transcribe ancient texts.
However, this initial royal collection faced a significant setback. Upon the death of Charles VI, the English regent of France, the Duke of Bedford, acquired the entire collection and transported it to England in 1424. It was reportedly dispersed after his death in 1435. Charles VII did little to recover these lost books, but the advent of printing spurred the creation of a new collection at the Louvre, which Louis XI inherited in 1461. Subsequent monarchs, including Charles VIII and Louis XII, further enriched the library through acquisitions and inheritances, such as the library at Blois and plunder from Milan. Francis I moved the collection to Fontainebleau in 1534, merging it with his private library, a period during which fine bindings became highly prized, resulting in many artistic masterpieces joining the collection.
Growth, Relocations, and Revolutionary Changes
Under the librarianship of Jacques Amyot, the collection was moved back to Paris, though several relocations during this period led to the loss of some treasures. Henry IV moved it to the Collège de Clermont in 1595, then to the Cordeliers Convent in 1604, and finally to the Confrérie de Saint-Côme et de Saint-Damien in 1622. The appointment of Jacques Auguste de Thou as librarian marked a period of significant development, transforming it into one of the world's largest and richest book collections. His son succeeded him, followed by Jérôme Bignon, who initiated a line of librarians from the same family. The library continued to grow rapidly under Louis XIII and Louis XIV, largely due to the dedication of Minister Jean-Baptiste Colbert, an avid book collector himself.
By 1666, the site on Rue de la Harpe proved inadequate, leading to another move to two adjacent houses on Rue Vivienne. Louis XIV's minister Louvois, following Colbert, also took a keen interest, employing figures like Jean Mabillon and Melchisédech Thévenot to acquire books from various sources. A comprehensive eight-volume catalog was compiled in 1688. Louvois even considered constructing a grand building for the library on what would become the Place Vendôme, though this project was abandoned after his death in 1691. The library first opened to the public in 1692 under Abbott Camille le Tellier de Louvois, the minister's son. Jean-Paul Bignon, his successor, capitalized on the collapse of John Law's Mississippi Company in 1721, which freed up significant space in the former palace of Cardinal Mazarin, allowing the library to expand. Bignon also initiated a complete reform of the library's system, leading to the publication of an 11-volume catalog between 1739 and 1753. The collections steadily grew through purchases and gifts until the French Revolution, a period during which the library faced grave danger but was ultimately preserved through the efforts of Antoine-Augustin Renouard and Joseph Van Praet.
Modern Expansion and Enduring Significance
The French Revolution dramatically impacted the library. During its radical phase, the private libraries of aristocrats and clergy were seized, swelling the library's collections to over 300,000 volumes. In September 1792, with the establishment of the French First Republic, the Assemblée declared the Bibliothèque du Roi to be national property, renaming it the Bibliothèque Nationale. This marked a profound shift, transforming the royal institution into a possession of the French people after four centuries of crown control. A new administrative structure was put in place.
Napoleon Bonaparte showed great interest in the library, issuing an order that all books in provincial libraries not already held by the Bibliothèque Nationale should be sent there, with replacements of equal value provided from duplicate collections. This policy aimed to ensure that any book published in France could be found in the National Library. Napoleon further expanded the collections with spoils from his conquests, though many of these books were returned after his downfall. From 1800 to 1836, Joseph Van Praet effectively controlled the library, and by his death, it housed over 650,000 printed books and approximately 80,000 manuscripts. Following various regime changes, it became the Imperial National Library and, in 1868, moved into new buildings on the Rue de Richelieu designed by Henri Labrouste. After Labrouste's death in 1875, the library was further expanded by Jean-Louis Pascal, who added the grand staircase and the Oval Room. By 1896, it was still the world's largest book repository, though it has since been surpassed. By 1920, the collection had grown to 4,050,000 volumes and 11,000 manuscripts, solidifying its status as a global center of knowledge and a testament to France's enduring commitment to preserving its intellectual heritage.
