Médiathèque IFI
jl. M.H Thamrin, Menteng, Central Jakarta · 09.00 – 17.00 · Free entry
If you're curious about French culture and language, Médiathèque IFI Thamrin is a comfortable place to explore contemporary France through books, stories, and media.
By Meysa Khadizah
Médiathèque IFI is the library and media center of Institut Français d’Indonésie (IFI) Jakarta, France’s official cultural institute in Indonesia. Located on Jl. M.H. Thamrin in the Menteng area of Central Jakarta, the médiathèque is part of the IFI Thamrin building.
Médiathèque IFI is also part of a wider network of IFI médiathèques in Indonesia, including Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, and Surabaya. This network supports access to French language, culture, media, and educational resources in different cities.
Institut Français Indonesia has a long history in Jakarta. It was first known as Centre Culturel Français (CCF) in the 1970s and later became Institut Français in 2012. In 2015, its Jakarta center moved from Salemba to Thamrin, where it now has a médiathèque.
In 2019, the médiathèque was modernized to make the space more updated and interactive. The collection was renewed, and more digital facilities were added. Because of this, Médiathèque IFI now feels like more than a regular reading library, making it one of the most complete cultural library experiences in Jakarta.
Location & Access
How to Enter
Address
Jl. M.H. Thamrin No. 20
Menteng, Central Jakarta 10350
Nearest Transit
- MRT Bundaran HI
- TransJakarta Halte Bundaran HI
- KRL Sudirman Station
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Pass the security check at the IFI Thamrin entrance.
Register as a member if you want to borrow materials.
Ask the staff if you need help or membership information.
Tip:
Check the opening hours before visiting, because the médiathèque schedule may change during holidays or special events.
Space Area
Walking into Médiathèque IFI feels different from many libraries in Jakarta. The space looks clean and modern. It is not only designed for reading, but also for learning, working, and enjoying French culture in different ways.
The main Médiathèque area is a spacious reading and co-working space. This area is designed for visitors who want to read, study, work on a laptop, or spend time inside the library.
Comfortable seats are placed around the room, giving visitors several options for where to sit. The seating arrangement supports both individual use and a more casual visit.
Main Médiathèque — Reading & Co-Working Area
The bookshelves are organized and easy to access. Their placement makes the room feel open, while still giving enough structure for visitors to move through the space easily.
The area also works well as a co-working space because the layout is simple and practical. Visitors can use the tables for studying, reading, or working without feeling separated from the main library environment.
The gaming and media area adds a more interactive function to Médiathèque IFI. This area is different from the main reading space because it is designed for media use, games, and hands-on activities.
Visitors can use facilities such as PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, VR equipment, iPads, and board games during their visit.
Gaming & Media Area
This area is popular with younger visitors, but it can also be enjoyed by anyone who wants a more relaxed activity inside the médiathèque.
With its gaming devices, media tools, and board games, this area gives the médiathèque a more casual and social corner inside the building.
One of the most impressive facilities at IFI Jakarta is its cinema auditorium. This space is designed for film screenings, cultural events, performances, and public programs.
The auditorium has 180 seats, high-quality projection, and 5.1 surround sound. These facilities make it suitable for a more proper viewing experience.
Auditorium
The seating is arranged like a professional screening room, so the space feels different from the main médiathèque area.
During regular use, the auditorium supports French film screenings, cultural festivals, performances, and public events. This makes it one of the main spaces for IFI’s cultural programs inside the building.
IFI Thamrin also has Café D’Aurélie, a café area that supports the building as a cultural and social space. The café offers French-inspired food, desserts, and drinks, with a focus on fresh and healthier ingredients.
This area is located on the ground floor inside the IFI building, so it can be used by visitors before or after going to the médiathèque. It is also useful for people who want to wait, rest, or spend time between classes, events, and library visits.
Café D'Aurélie
Café D’Aurélie also adds a culinary side to the IFI experience. Since the café is inspired by French food, visitors can experience French culture by exploring and trying the dishes themselves.
The café makes the IFI building feel more complete. After reading, studying, watching a film, or joining a cultural program, visitors can use this area as a comfortable place to take a break. IFI members may also receive a discount by showing their membership card.
HOW IT FEELS TO SPEND TIME HERE
Spending time at Médiathèque IFI feels lively, creative, and comfortable. The space is modern without feeling cold, and cultural without feeling too formal. Depending on when you visit, the experience can feel calm, social, or even festive
Weekday Mornings & Afternoon
On weekday mornings or quieter afternoons, the médiathèque feels calm and focused. Some visitors study with their laptops, some read books. The open layout and comfortable seating make it easy to stay for a longer time.
In the Gaming & Media Area
The gaming and media area gives a different kind of experience. It feels more social and interactive than 22 the reading area. Friends can play console games, try VR equipment, or spend time with board games. This part of the médiathèque shows that a library can also make room for fun, not only quiet reading.
In the Gaming & Media Area
When a film screening, concert, or cultural event is scheduled, the atmosphere becomes livelier. The auditorium fills up, and the building feels more like a cultural venue. These events attract different kinds of visitors, including students, professionals, film lovers, French culture enthusiasts.
Languages
Membership Options
• Club IFI (General): Rp 75,000 / month or Rp 600,000 / year
• Club IFI (Students): Rp 50,000 / month
• Culturethèque Only: Rp 20,000 / month
Borrowing Rules
• Books & Magazines: 15-day loan period (Late fee: Rp 5,000 per period)
• CDs & DVDs: 7-day loan period (Late fee: Rp 10,000 per period)
• Maximum items at one time: 5 items
• Renewals: Maximum 2 times Partner Discounts Club IFI members receive partner discounts at both the Thamrin and Wijaya IFI locations.
MEMBERSHIP
Digital Access
Culturethèque
Access e-books, magazines, music, and learning resources online through IFI's digital library.
COLLECTIONS
Classic Literature & Contemporary Novels
Main Collection Categories
Comics & Graphic Novels
Music Albums &
CDs, DVDs
Video Games & Board Games
Magazines, Journals,
& Newspapers
Academic Journals
Indonesian
English
French
FACILITIES
Reading Area
Comfortable modern reading and co-working space designed for reading, studying, discussion, and cultural exploration.
PS4 & PS5
Latest PlayStation gaming consoles available for interactive media experiences and entertainment.
VR Experience
Immersive virtual reality equipment available for exploring interactive digital content and experiences.
Board Games
Wide selection of board games available for in-library play, perfect for casual visits and group activities.
Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch gaming console available as part of the interactive media collection.
iPads & Laptops
Digital devices available for browsing, learning, and accessing online resources within the library.
A cool place to study, socialize and join an event. There is open space for sightseeing and smoking. An indoor cinema, 26 cafetaria, library and classroom. They also have musholla at the second level.”
— Faisal Muda, Local Guide, Google Reviews
WHAT VISITORS SAY
“IFI is one of the most strategic screening locations. 15 mins walk from Gondangdia, 8 mins from MRT Bundaran HI and 5 minutes from MH Thamrin Transjakarta shelter.”
— Arditya Laksono, Local Guide, Google Reviews
“A place where you can see cultural performance, conference and watch French movie. Also to take French course and get information about studying in France.”
— Melan Rasalemon, Local Guide, Google Reviews