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Library of Congress

ArchitectureHistoryLiteratureClosed todayFreeCapitol South Metro (Blue/Orange/Silver Line)

Bibliothèque de recherche du Congrès américain, la Library of Congress est, avec près de 173 millions de documents, la plus vaste bibliothèque au monde. Les visiteurs y pénètrent par le Thomas Jefferson Building, un chef-d’œuvre de style Beaux-Arts inauguré en 1897. Son Great Hall s'élève à près de 23 mètres au-dessus d'un sol en marbre jusqu'à un plafond orné de vitraux, magnifié par les créations de près de cinquante peintres et sculpteurs américains. On peut notamment y admirer les trésors fondateurs de l'institution : un exemplaire parfait sur vélin de la Bible de Gutenberg, la bibliothèque personnelle reconstituée de Thomas Jefferson, ainsi que des expositions temporaires présentées dans la David M. Rubenstein Treasures Gallery. L'accès est gratuit, mais nécessite impérativement un billet horodaté réservé à l'avance.

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Getting there

Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First Street SE, Washington, DC 20540, United States

Nearest station: Capitol South Metro (Blue/Orange/Silver Line), Union Station Metro (Red Line), Federal Center SW Metro (Blue/Orange/Silver Line)

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Hours

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Admission

Free

Free for all visitors. Every visitor, regardless of age, must reserve a free timed-entry pass. Passes are released up to 30 days ahead, with same-day passes online from 9:00 a.m. ET. Individuals can book up to 20 passes; groups of 21 or more use a separate registration form.

Nearby

Folger Shakespeare Library

ArchitectureFree2 min walk

National Museum of the American Indian

ArtFree12 min walk

Rubell Museum DC

Art14 min walk

National Air and Space Museum

HistoryFree16 min walk

Visitor Information

Is Library of Congress free to visit?
Yes, general admission to Library of Congress is free. Free for all visitors. Every visitor, regardless of age, must reserve a free timed-entry pass. Passes are released up to 30 days ahead, with same-day passes online from 9:00 a.m. ET. Individuals can book up to 20 passes; groups of 21 or more use a separate registration form.. Some special exhibitions may charge a separate ticket, so check the museum's website before visiting.
What are the opening hours of Library of Congress?
Library of Congress is open Thomas Jefferson Building open to visitors Tuesday-Saturday 10:00-17:00, last entry 16:30. Late opening Thursdays until 20:00 for Live! at the Library (a separate free 5 p.m. timed-entry pass is required for the evening session). Closed Sundays, Mondays and select federal holidays, including Thanksgiving (26 Nov 2026), Christmas Day (25 Dec 2026) and New Year's Day (1 Jan 2027). Free timed-entry passes required at all times. Note: the Library's reading rooms run on a separate schedule and do open on Mondays.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Library of Congress?
Library of Congress is located at Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First Street SE, Washington, DC 20540, United States, in the Capitol Hill area of Washington, DC. The nearest stations are Capitol South Metro (Blue/Orange/Silver Line), Union Station Metro (Red Line), Federal Center SW Metro (Blue/Orange/Silver Line).
What can I see at Library of Congress?
La plus grande bibliothèque du monde : un Great Hall somptueusement doré, la Bible de Gutenberg et les ouvrages personnels de Jefferson, à deux pas du Capitole. Current highlights include Here to Stay : L'héritage de George et Ira Gershwin (Here to Stay: The Legacy of George and Ira Gershwin), Bible de Gutenberg (Gutenberg Bible), La promesse de la Déclaration : Une idée révolutionnaire (The Declaration's Promise: A Revolutionary Idea).
Do I need to book Library of Congress in advance?
Library of Congress is free to enter and most days you can walk in. Free for all visitors. Every visitor, regardless of age, must reserve a free timed-entry pass. Passes are released up to 30 days ahead, with same-day passes online from 9:00 a.m. ET. Individuals can book up to 20 passes; groups of 21 or more use a separate registration form.. For special exhibitions, weekends, and school holidays, booking a timed slot can help you skip queues. Check the museum's website for current requirements.
When is the best time to visit Library of Congress?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.

Carol M. Highsmith, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

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