Discover the French National Library & the Bercy district

Between contemporary architecture and industrial memory
1 day

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Transport

We organize your transport by coach, train or plane

Visite à pied et en car

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Price upon request

General public

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With guide

You won't miss a single detail - they know their subject inside out.

French
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A cultural escape between modernity and history in Paris

This Parisian day out offers an original immersion in a district in the throes of transformation, between modern heritage and vestiges of the past. From the Bibliothèque nationale de France to the Bercy district, this guided tour invites you to discover a Paris in transformation, combining culture, urban planning and memory.

Designed for groups, this tour offers a balance of architectural discovery, history and urban strolling.

The Bibliothèque nationale de France: a symbol of knowledge and contemporary architecture

Located in the 13th arrondissement, the Bibliothèque nationale de France – site François-Mitterrand is one of Europe’s largest cultural centers.

Designed by architect Dominique Perrault and inaugurated in the 1990s, the site is distinguished by :

  • Its four towers in the shape of open books
  • Its monumental esplanade
  • Organized around a central garden

This emblematic building embodies the modernity of Parisian architecture and the transmission of knowledge.

A behind-the-scenes look at BnF

The guided tour takes you behind the scenes of this unique institution.

Visitors explore :

  • Reading rooms
  • Spaces dedicated to document storage
  • How the library works

BnF’s mission is to collect, preserve and disseminate France’s documentary heritage, which is accessible to the public in various forms.

An exceptional panorama of Paris

One of the highlights of the visit is access to the Belvedere, high up in one of the towers.

From this vantage point, visitors can admire :

  • The Seine
  • The BnF district
  • A panoramic view of eastern Paris

This experience gives you a bird’s eye view of a neighbourhood in the throes of transformation.

The BnF district: an example of contemporary urban planning

Around the library, an entire neighborhood has been redesigned to support the development of eastern Paris.

This sector illustrates :

  • Converting former industrial wasteland
  • The work of contemporary architects and urban planners
  • Paris’ evolution towards new cultural hubs

This transformation is part of a drive to rebalance the city towards the east of the capital.

Bercy: from ancient wine port to modern district

The tour continues in the Bercy district on the right bank.

In the past, Bercy was a huge wine storage and trading center, where merchants and merchandise flocked. In fact, it was one of the world’s largest wine markets.

It featured :

  • Warehouses and cellars
  • Intense port activity on the Seine
  • A flourishing trade until the 19th century

A spectacular urban transformation

After a gradual decline in the 20th century, particularly from the 1960s onwards, the Bercy district was completely redesigned.

Major projects are underway:

  • Construction of the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy
  • Setting up the Ministry of the Economy
  • Creating new urban spaces

These transformations have breathed new life into this once-abandoned area.

Bercy Village: a living space combining heritage and modernity

Today, the Bercy district has become a pleasant and lively place, thanks in particular to Bercy Village.

Housed in renovated former wine storehouses, this site offers :

  • Stores and restaurants
  • Walking areas
  • A friendly, family atmosphere

The architecture harmoniously blends stone, wood and modernity, offering a unique setting.

A walk between memory and modernity

Combining the BnF and Bercy reveals two complementary faces of Paris:

  • A modern district dedicated to culture
  • A rehabilitated former industrial site

This walk highlights :

  • The evolution of the capital
  • Transforming urban spaces
  • Paris’s rich heritage

An ideal excursion for groups

This outing is perfectly suited to groups, thanks to a structured and accessible program.

It proposes :

  • A cultural guided tour
  • A rewarding urban discovery
  • A varied journey through architecture and history

It’s for everyone, from culture buffs to those curious about the evolution of Paris.

Why choose this trip around BnF and Bercy?

Choosing this excursion means discovering a different Paris, far from the usual tours.

It enables :

  • Visit a major cultural heritage site
  • Understandcontemporary urban planning
  • Discover the industrial history of Bercy
  • An original group experience

Between modernity and memory, this day offers a complete vision of the evolution of Paris.

Demandez votre devis pour organiser un voyage de groupe

Questions fréquentes (FAQ)

Why visit the Bibliothèque nationale de France?

The Bibliothèque nationale de France is one of Europe's largest cultural centers. It is a place dedicated to the preservation of written heritage, while exploring a remarkable contemporary architecture. The tour immerses visitors in the workings of an institution that is essential to the dissemination of knowledge.

What is the history of the Bercy district?

The Bercy district was once an important center for the wine trade, with numerous warehouses and intense port activity. After its decline in the 20th century, it was completely redeveloped to become a modern district, combining culture, leisure and renovated urban spaces.

Is this tour suitable for groups?

Yes, this tour is perfectly suited to groups. It offers a guided tour combining cultural discovery and urban strolling, with educational content accessible to all. It's ideal for associations, companies or groups of friends wishing to discover a Paris that's both modern and historic.

bibliotheque nationale de france  et quartier de bercy 00005

Tous ces circuits / visites sont des propositions de programmes possibles.

Ils peuvent être modifiés, se combiner, ou s’associer à d’autres demandes conçues sur-mesure pour vous, consultez-nous !

Informations

Paris Tourist Office – Photographers: Angélique Clément, Amélie Dupont, Stéphanie Rivoal, Jacques Lebar