The Bibliothèque nationale de France is the National Library of France, located in Paris. It has been described as “the soul and heart” of French culture due to its unrivaled collection with over eight million books, eleven thousand manuscripts and scrolls dating from antiquity through medieval times up until today. The library’s origins date back to 1279 when King Philip IV ordered a royal bookkeeper be appointed by his court’s chancellor which would oversee revenues gained for every product sold at market throughout country-wide fairs or markets including salt taxes on coasts and produce along roadsides alike. This was just one way that he hoped this new institution could help him find more efficient ways to govern while directing economic development into areas such as commerce.
