Search Gallica's digital collections from the National Library of France and browse books, newspapers, images, and other media.
general catalog of BnF
Search the Bibliothèque nationale de France's general catalog and filter holdings available through its reading rooms or Gallica.
general catalog of BnFcatalogue.bnf.frVisit siteAbout general catalog of BnF
The general catalog of BnF is the online catalog of the Bibliothèque nationale de France. It lets users search the library's holdings and filter for items available in its reading rooms or through Gallica. The interface is in French.
You can search authority records for persons, organizations, works, common names, geographic names, brands, and Dewey Decimal Classification. The catalog also includes themed sections for youth, images and maps, and music, each with adapted search options. Related resources link to electronic resources, the French national bibliography, archives and manuscripts, Gallica, and the image bank.
It suits students, researchers, and librarians looking for French library holdings and reference records. Help pages explain how to consult the catalog and reproduce documents, and users can ask a librarian a question or suggest an acquisition. Note that the catalog notes temporary disruptions to record display, search, and data retrieval following a cataloging tool change in June 2026.
Key features
- Search BnF holdings with reading room and Gallica filters
- Search authority records for persons, works and places
- Themed sections for youth, images, maps and music
- Links to national bibliography, archives and image bank
- Help guides and ask-a-librarian question service
Best for: Students and researchers seeking materials held by the Bibliothèque nationale de France.
Good for
- Covers holdings, authority records and related resources
- Themed sections with adapted search options
- Consultation help and librarian contact available
Watch out for
- Temporary disruptions to display, search and data retrieval
- Interface is in French
general catalog of BnF at a glance
- Website
- catalogue.bnf.fr
- Category
- Research & Data › Academic Search
- Type
- Website
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Platforms
- Web
- Open source
- Not stated
- Language
- French
- Last checked
- Oct 5, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
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general catalog of BnF FAQ
What is the general catalog of BnF?
It is the online general catalog of the Bibliothèque nationale de France for searching its holdings and related records.
Can I find Gallica items through the catalog?
Yes, the catalog allows filtering for holdings available through reading rooms or Gallica.
What are authority records in the BnF catalog?
They are reference records for persons, organizations, works, common names, geographic names, brands, and Dewey Decimal Classification.
Is the BnF catalog currently having problems?
Yes, the site reports temporary issues with record display, search, and data retrieval after a cataloging tool change in June 2026.
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