Relocation of the Library of the French National Assembly in Paris

An Exceptional Library Relocation Project for Bovis Transports

In February 2025, the teams from Bovis Transports (91) had the honor of completing a nationally significant project: the reinstallation of 56,778 books in the historic library of the Palais-Bourbon, home to the French National Assembly. This delicate operation, the result of logistical expertise and specialist relocation know-how, was part of the full restoration of this iconic site of the French Republic.

A Multi-Phase Relocation Operation

Since 2023, Bovis Transports has been in charge of orchestrating the complete transfer of the library's collections, to enable the restoration of the building. This logistical operation, conducted in close collaboration with the National Assembly’s teams, required precise coordination—from the removal of the books to their return after renovation.

The project included several key phases:

• The meticulous removal of books, located on multiple levels and mezzanines,
• The dusting of all six sides of each book, in partnership with a specialist conservation provider,
• The temporary storage of the collections in our secure warehouse south of Paris,
• And finally, the reinstallation of the books in their original order, upon completion of the renovation work.

56,778 Books Reclassified, 2.5 Linear Kilometers Handled

During the restoration phase, the books were stored for several months under strict preservation conditions, shielded from humidity and temperature fluctuations, thanks to the environmental controls at our logistics hub in Essonne (91). A total of 128 pallets were required to hold approximately 2.5 linear kilometers of historical works, dating from the 16th to the 21st century.

The final phase—reinstallation—was completed over the course of four weeks by a dedicated team of four skilled technicians from Bovis Transports, assisted by an expert in historical book treatment from the company Ab Antiquo. Thanks to a mobile scaffold and an aerial work platform, our teams were able to operate precisely, even in the uppermost mezzanines of the library.

Each book was returned to its exact original position, in strict accordance with the existing classification system—a testament to the discipline and methodology that define our approach.

A Highly Technical Operation in a Protected Heritage Site

Working in a prestigious heritage site like the Palais-Bourbon library demands specific expertise in delicate handling, flawless logistical coordination, and strict adherence to preservation protocols. Our teams demonstrated their mastery of sensitive transport, operating within an environment surrounded by historical woodwork, Delacroix frescoes, and centuries-old parquet flooring.

Each day, a moving truck and utility vehicle ensured a just-in-time transportation of the reconditioned materials, with full traceability throughout the process.

Bovis Expertise in transfers and relocations

This large-scale project perfectly illustrates the role of Bovis Transports in managing sensitive and heritage-related relocations. With proven experience in library, archive, and historical furniture transfers, our agency based south of Paris confirms its position as a key player in complex relocations within prestigious and protected environments.

For Bovis Transports, it is a true source of pride to have contributed to the safeguarding and revitalization of this landmark institution of the French parliamentary system.