THE 10 BEST Paris Libraries
Libraries in Paris
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Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
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Architectural Buildings • Libraries
Quartier de la Gare
Libraries • Game & Entertainment Centres
Quartier Latin
Libraries
Javel
Libraries
Belleville / Père Lachaise
Libraries
Le Marais
Libraries
Château d'Eau / Gare du Nord
Libraries
Val-de-Grâce
Libraries
Bercy / Nation
Libraries
Place d'Italie / Quartier Asiatique
Libraries
Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Libraries
Saint-Merri
Libraries
Opéra / Bourse
Libraries
La Villette
Libraries
Place d'Italie / Quartier Asiatique
Libraries
Charonne
Libraries
Odéon / Saint-Michel
Libraries
Goutte-d'Or
Libraries
Saint-Lambert
Libraries
Opéra / Bourse
Libraries
Père-Lachaise
Showing results 1-30 of 49
What travellers are saying
- Pernille ICopenhagen, Denmark7,134 contributionsThe National Library's Richelieu branch sits in the rue Vivienne and anyone can enter the premises after the usual security check.
Inside you will have to visit and see two absolutely stunning rooms.
The Salle Ovale - the Oval Room is a 43 meters long, 32 meters wide and 18 meters high oval room containing 120 studying places (desks) as well as some lounge chairs for reading. You can however enter and simply take the walk around with the interactive educational stations for further information - or pick a book or a cartoon and hope to find a seat. Obviously you will remain quiet as this is a place for study.
The other room - the Salle Labrouste - is only open for people with a student card and registration on site. However as a tourist you can enter the doors and stay at the opening behind a roped-off part - this allows you to see the amazing interiors.
The room looks like a Byzantine domed church in the ceiling; the trompe-l'oeil paintings in the arches is made specifically to give the feeling of real windows where you would only see the upper parts of the trees. In reality the domes of the ceiling are inspired by the fashion of the time - when constructed in the 1850s crinolines or petticoats were all the fashion.
In any case taking a break at the Salle Ovale and glimpsing in the Salle Labrouste will prove a wonderful break in your day.Written 11 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Thomas VOakland, CA18,528 contributionsA very important institution, a modern huge building on the banks of the Seine. It has spawned a new town built over the railroad tracks, lots of interesting architecture here. Important to note the commitment of the country to build a big library in modern times. I am not crazy about the design, which imitates an open book. And there are wild stories about the buildings dysfunction. But do come here for terrific temporary expos.Written 10 February 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Edward GCairo, NY56 contributionsGreat library, only open in afternoon after 2:00 pm for public. Used in Harry Potter movies. We where there because of a book. Greatest libraries of the world. my wife is a librarianWritten 19 September 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- HsteinmillerYorktown, VA972 contributionsI am a librarian myself, so of course I had to visit here! I showed up initially on a Thursday, and came back the following day for the presentation on the history of the library. Absolutely fascinating, and everyone is so warm and welcoming! It is now my dearest wish to come back and volunteer at this very special place!Written 22 July 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ArtheKailua86 contributionsFriendly and helpful staff
Clean cafe
Lots of manga books in a Japan inspired reading room
Some older arcade games and some home video games . It's fun to play on oldies but goodies. A place to play your favorite game when you don't have access to the play system anymore.
A dancing pad for two people that looked really fun. Sadly, the small group using it when we arrived, kept it for themselves the whole hour we were there. A little sharing would have been nice.
My favorite: a pinball. It's unfortunate it was awaiting the repair man when we visited. It will likely be repaired when you do visit. We will have to go back. Hey, when is the last time you got to play pinball? It's becoming more and more difficult to find.
Affordable. At last, a place where you can take your family or invite your friends without spending all your entertainment money at once.Written 13 June 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Kirk ESanta Fe, NM979 contributionsThe gilded-domed Mazarine Library (often mistaken at a distance for the nearby Invalides) merits a visit if only for its spectacular architecture, both in the monumental plaza and inside the library itself. Busts of philosophers -- including honorary Frenchman Benjamin Franklin -- line the long walls of the reading room, which remains a working library, with the occasional display of historical publications available for viewing by quiet visitors. A great place for quiet contemplation on a rainy day, directly over the Pont des arts from the Louvre.Written 1 February 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JnVSydneyGreater Sydney, Australia23,371 contributionsOnce the Hotel de Sens. The building dates from the end of the 15th century was was intended to be the home of wealthy archbishops - starting with Salazar the archbishop of Sens. It took so long to build he never actually lived there and many noblemen used the property over the centuries.
At one stage it was held by the Royal family until it was confiscated during the French Revolution (there’s even a canonball still lodged in the facade - we love these little details).
After that it was neglected and was even used by the Saint James Marmelade Factory of all things. Eventually it was purchased by the City of Paris in 1911 and the last of it’s ad hoc tenants left in 1928. It has had some very famous guests over the centuries including, most famously, Nostradamus. He was invited to Paris by Queen Catherine of the Medicis in 1555 and lodged at the Townhouse of Sens as it was known. The living was fine at the townhouse, so fine he was struck down with an attack of gout and confined to bed, surrounded by people keen to hear his predictions.
The Forney library moved here in 1929 when it outgrew it’s old premises. In its current incarnation of library focussing on decorative arts, it was hosting a fascinating exhibition about feeding Paris - including great photos of our neck of the woods, Les Halles. There was also a lot of memorabilia from restaurants and bistros and great vintage advertising items.Written 24 February 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Andrew LBelfast, UK45 contributionsHad read about the centre online and yesterday my daughter (8) and I decided to give it a visit. Situated near the Sorbonne and the Pantheon, it’s in a quiet street and well off any tourist trail. Being a Sunday afternoon we were the only visitors and the tea room and reading rooms were shut (will know that for next time as I could have done with some coffee). Enjoyed the virtual reality art and speaking with the staff. What a lovely place to visit.Written 28 January 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
