After Beaubourg, the BNF could also close, leaving Parisian students with nowhere else to go.

The news took everyone by surprise in 2026. The largest library in Paris, the BNF François-Mitterrand, could soon close its doors. For thousands of Parisian students, the announcement was a real blow.

While the Centre Pompidou has already closed for renovations, this 13th arrondissement landmark is now teetering on the brink. Between colossal renovation bills and aging infrastructures, the cultural liner on the Quai François-Mauriac is going through a period of turbulence.

An emblematic building in great difficulty

Inaugurated in the 90s, this Paris library is already showing signs of ageing. The evidence is clear: the building is aging badly, and fast. Its four towers, symbolizing open books, now conceal a far less poetic reality.

Fire safety systems are obsolete. The air-conditioning is giving up the ghost. What’s more, the glass façades require a great deal of maintenance. These technical problems are piling up and threatening the day-to-day running of the facility.

“It’s the crushing blow that nobody saw coming.

The bill is a heavy one for public finances. We’re talking about urgent renovations, estimated at over 500 million euros between now and 2029. A staggering amount, which raises the question of financing and scheduling.

Infrastructure showing its limitations

Thousands of visitors flock to this large library in Paris every day. The reading rooms in the upper garden are crowded with students in search of peace and quiet. Yet the wi-fi system works at random, and power sockets are in short supply.

The technical diagnosis reveals worrying structural flaws. The walls are crumbling in places. As a result, partial or total closure may be necessary in the coming years.

• Obsolete fire safety systems
• Air conditioning failure
• Glass facades requiring costly maintenance
• Renovations estimated at over 500 million euros by 2029
• Partial or total closure planned

The domino effect on student life in Paris

After the closure of the BPI in Beaubourg, the BNF remained one of the last great bastions for revision. The BNF is the second-busiest library in Paris for students. Its disappearance, even temporarily, would create a huge void.

Where will the thousands of “squatters” in the upper garden go if the gates close? There’s a fear of a squatting war starting at dawn in front of Sainte-Barbe or the Sorbonne. For many, a forced retreat to coffee-shops seems inevitable.

An entire generation is without its sanctuary of choice. Students rely on this space to prepare their exams and finish their dissertations. However, few alternatives offer as many seats and as many documentary resources.

A vital issue for users

For the thousands of students who squat in the reading rooms every day, the situation is critical. The library in Paris is much more than a place to work. It represents a refuge, a place of concentration away from the noise of the city.

The question on everyone’s mind is: where can I finish my revision? University libraries are already saturated. Closing the BNF would exacerbate an already real shortage of places.

Regular users know every nook and cranny of this place. They know where to find the best seats, near windows or electrical outlets. Losing this familiar environment would be a real earthquake for student life.

What does the future hold for this library in Paris?

Will the BNF really become a ghost town? For the time being, the hope remains that the work can be carried out in stages. A gradual closure would allow partial access to the collections and reading rooms.

The people in charge of this library in Paris are working on various scenarios. However, funding remains the crux of the problem. Without massive investment, the situation will only get worse.

While we wait for news, regulars continue to frequent the premises. Every visit now takes on a special flavor. Quai François-Mauriac, in the 13th arrondissement, remains open from Monday to Sunday.

Make the most of it while the doors are still open. The future of this Parisian cultural landmark is at stake. Thousands of Parisians are keeping their fingers crossed that they won’t lose their favorite spot.

• library in Paris